RVG and JRVG questions....

[riverrat]

My understanding is that at some point within approximately the past couple of years, Blue Note started using the same remasters for domestic RVG releases as were used for JRVGs, whereas prior to that time separate (and somewhat different sounding) remasters were generated for each series.

My questions are:

1. Is this true?

2. If this is true, at what point did the change occur?

3. More to the point, for which sessions are the RVG and JRVG remasters the same and for which sessions are they different?

4. For sessions with separate RVG and JRVG remasters, are there consistent differences in sound?

5. If there are NOT consistent differences in sound, are there particular sessions for which the JRVG sounds better than the RVG or vice versa?

The reason I'm curious is that I'm getting tired of fiddling with the mini-lp covers and considering selling my JRVGs and picking up domestic jewel case versions of those sessions where both are available. But I don't want to sell any JRVGs that I might regret not having later.

Thank you for any light that can be shed on this topic!

[shaft]

Hi,

Good valid questions and I'm probably not the expert but here are my views:

1. The JRVG's started in 1998 before the domestic RVG (and EU) 1999. Articles say that in the beginning Rudy did a few tricks to suit the spirit of what Alfred Lion (the producer of Blue Note) hears at the control table in his studio. Rudy was for instance working and adjusting the sound by narrowing the stereo spread to almost mono from stereo masters. These early JRVG can sound rather thin and forward at times. Ok some snap and sparkle but those hi-hats can make you cringe from time to time.

2. It would seem strange to remaster them again one year later, but (4) I don't have actual CD's to compare. Would there be separate masters it would however be most likely to be 1998 JRVG releases. Some other member surely have some more input here.

There is an interesting article here

In my impression and speaking in general terms the RVG's also did this in the beginning but gradually got better and better. Some JRVG's are really "duds" like Off to the races win Don Byrd - just terrible!. I cannot remeber when the JRVG stopped but they did around 200 discs I think.

I would just keep my JRVG's they are very cool and if I don't like the sound of some I would replace with another TOCJ or older domestic release if possible.

/Shaft

[David Ayers]

The answer *has* been covered on this board, and someone will soon wade in and give the definitive answer. For some reason I can no longer find the reissue lists which I made for my own use, but I can tell you that the first batch which shows reissues with a +1 or +2 to indicate extra tracks is the batch when the covergence of the two series begins. The original JRVG series never included extra tracks; the JRVGs taken from US RVGs did. You can work it out from here. Hopefully someone will repost the entire list (me, if I ever find it).

[riverrat]

Thank you for the replies folks. I will stand by for additional info.

I did try to learn more using the search function, but was unable to find definitive answers.

My understanding was that the U.S. RVG program began using the Japanese remasters because the Japan RVG program began earlier and remains more extensive, rather than vice versa. But if that is true, it would raise the question of where and when the bonus tracks were remastered.

So I remain a bit confused!

[CJ Shearn]

I thought around 2003 or 4 when the RVG's used the same masters as the JRVG's? b/c around 2000 or so the sound of them really got better such as the JM Cafe Bohemia albums and such.