CTI reissues: box-set, 1971 concert, single titles

[ShowsOn]

Received First Light and Giant Box today. Sadly the packaging of First Light is badly damaged. I know this style of packaging is better for the environment, and is cheap to produce, but out of four of these CTI reissues, this is the second one that has come with damaged packaging, and I have had two with badly scratched discs.

Edited April 20, 2011 by ShowsOn

[CJ Shearn]

Received First Light and Giant Box today. Sadly the packaging of First Light is badly damaged. I know this style of packaging is better for the environment, and is cheap to produce, but out of four of these CTI reissues, this is the second one that has come with damaged packaging, and I

have had two with badly scratched discs.

That's annoying isn't it? My copy of "Beyond the Blue Horizon" I had to wipe dust from b/c track 8 was skipping, actually what works you have to be so careful and do it lightly, gently apply compressed air, it works. And there is a small annoying section of pencilmark like looking scratches on the center of the disc but they don't affect play.

[ShowsOn]

That's annoying isn't it? My copy of "Beyond the Blue Horizon" I had to wipe dust from b/c track 8 was skipping, actually what works you have to be so careful and do it lightly, gently apply compressed air, it works. And there is a small annoying section of pencilmark like looking scratches on the center of the disc but they don't affect play.

Yeah very annoying, here are some pictures showing how badly dented the cardboard is:

http://img148.imageshack.us/i/frontrc.jpg/

http://img859.imageshack.us/i/insides.jpg/

http://img52.imageshack.us/i/insideclose.jpg/

The thing is I bought these from ImportCDs, so if they need me to send back the defective packaging from Australia, then that alone will cost $5 or $6 (as a letter), when the CD only cost me $12. So I'll probably just have to put up with the bad packaging.

I really wish these were jewel cases. A cracked jewel case can be replaced, but if the similar damage happens to these cardboard cases, then the packaging is just wrecked. And I'm not usually one that gets worked up over packaging because I think the music is far more important.

The sound quality of these two discs is great. I'll post some comparisons with the Epic / Legacy version of First Light when I have time. This is the first time I've heard Giant Box in full.

I forgot to mention that my disc 1 of California concert arrived so badly scratched that I can't get the last two tracks to rip securely. I was kind of fortunate though as Amazon UK said they didn't have any replacements in stock, so they simply refunded my money. That made me not feel as bad about it because I got to keep 2 discs of great live jazz for free.

Edited April 20, 2011 by ShowsOn

[CJ Shearn]

Wow ShowsOn, that's unacceptable damage. Doug Payne had told me Sony wanted to use thick, glossy cardboard just like the LP's for these reissues as they put a lot of money into the program but for some reason it did not happen. I forget what program it is that allows you to rip tracks from CD's that are badly damaged but people on here have used it.

[ShowsOn]

Wow ShowsOn, that's unacceptable damage. Doug Payne had told me Sony wanted to use thick, glossy cardboard just like the LP's for these reissues as they put a lot of money into the program but for some reason it did not happen. I forget what program it is that allows you to rip tracks from CD's that are badly damaged but people on here have used it.

The bad news is that ImportCDs told me they don't replace packaging. My only option is to send the entire package including the CD back for a refund. I can then order the CD again if I want.

I've given up trying to get those California Concert tracks to securely rip. I tried using dBPowerAMP and Exact Audio Copy using the three different drives in my PC but it won't work because the scratches are too bad. I had to use interpolation to get them to rip without audible errors, but that means my rip isn't necessarily what is on the CD.

Using thick glossy cardboard sounds nice, but since that hasn't happened, it may of been better to just use jewel cases.

It is obvious Sony has invested a lot of money in this. I am doing my best to support this program. I have bought The Cool Revolutions box, California Concert, God Bless this Child, Stone Flower, Sunflower, Red Clay, Giant Box and First Light.

Of course I wish I could buy them all, but that would be too expensive, so I'm buying what I really want.

[CJ Shearn]

I had to call my local shop and have him reorder "Beyond the Blue Horizon" b/c the disc, upon further playing will not play straight all the way thru. The condensation, smudges on the disc from the packaging or whatever happened, is uncleanable. My careful center to edge cleaning made the skipping even worse which is odd as there are no circular scratches on the disc.

[ShowsOn]

I contacted info@ctimasterworks.com about my damaged copy of First Light, only to be amazed that they just decided to send me a replacement copy directly! I must admit I have complained about my other scratched discs in the past, but what they did was a very nice gesture. In fact, they FedExed it to me in Australia, which took just over 1 week to arrive! So hats off to CTI Masterworks.

I have also sent back the damaged copy to ImportCDs, so hopefully I receive a refund once they get it.

Edited May 4, 2011 by ShowsOn

[CJ Shearn]

Very cool! Great customer service, I think they understand the kind of fans buying these reissues. Anyway, June 14th there is a new batch coming:

Freddie: Straight Life http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509833&style=music (note the credits are used from the '97 reissue here which is a mistake I'm sure as the '97 edition is a remix, not the original album mix)

Stanley: Don't Mess With Mr. T http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509735&style=music

Hubert Laws: In the Beginning http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509768&style=music

George Benson: Body Talk http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509913&style=music

Pretty standard stuff, Doug Payne hinted to me about this batch, but they appeared up for preorder at CD Universe so I found out the titles yesterday. I never owned the Laws but will get all 4 and replace the existing previous reissues of the other 3 (ditched the 80's version of the Turrentine a long time ago) because these new ones truly sound wonderful. He did tell me though that the next batch later this summer will include some rare titles added like some first time on CD in the US, KUDU's. Let's hope for Hubbard/Turrentine "In Concert" which may be a release of the complete concert!

[Matthew]

Very cool! Great customer service, I think they understand the kind of fans buying these reissues. Anyway, June 14th there is a new batch coming:

Freddie: Straight Life http://www.cdunivers...833&style=music (note the credits are used from the '97 reissue here which is a mistake I'm sure as the '97 edition is a remix, not the original album mix)

Stanley: Don't Mess With Mr. T http://www.cdunivers...735&style=music

Hubert Laws: In the Beginning http://www.cdunivers...768&style=music

George Benson: Body Talk http://www.cdunivers...913&style=music

Pretty standard stuff, Doug Payne hinted to me about this batch, but they appeared up for preorder at CD Universe so I found out the titles yesterday. I never owned the Laws but will get all 4 and replace the existing previous reissues of the other 3 (ditched the 80's version of the Turrentine a long time ago) because these new ones truly sound wonderful. He did tell me though that the next batch later this summer will include some rare titles added like some first time on CD in the US, KUDU's. Let's hope for Hubbard/Turrentine "In Concert" which may be a release of the complete concert!

It's great that the reissues keep coming, I'll preorder all four, as I said before, I think Turrentine did his best work for CTI, and the rest look very good also.

[CJ Shearn]

I pulled out the '97 edition of "Straight Life", and I'm really looking forward to hearing the remaster from the original tapes, as the '97 remaster has quite a bit of distortion, and upper end harshness. If the Masterworks edition of "First Light" is anything to go by, the master is much cleaner than the '01 remix as there is far less distortion on the drums and overall, ditto with "Beyond the Blue Horizon".

[Peter Johnson]

I've really been digging these reissues as well.

Edited to say a complete list, though somewhat unwieldy, appears here:

CTI 40th Anniversary Discography

Edited May 4, 2011 by Peter Johnson

[Big Al]

Very cool! Great customer service, I think they understand the kind of fans buying these reissues. Anyway, June 14th there is a new batch coming:

Freddie: Straight Life http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509833&style=music (note the credits are used from the '97 reissue here which is a mistake I'm sure as the '97 edition is a remix, not the original album mix)

Stanley: Don't Mess With Mr. T http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509735&style=music

Hubert Laws: In the Beginning http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509768&style=music

George Benson: Body Talk http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509913&style=music

*bounces around room in insane joy*

Do y'all know how close I came to picking up the Turrentine on vinyl at the Austin Record Show this weekend? Just something in the back of my mind said, "Wait, you just never know, and they ain't done reissuing yet."

Straight Life? In the Beginning? Body Talk? Am I in Heaven already??? It's like the folks at Sony Masterworks are going down that list I e-mailed 'em earlier this year! Love love LOVIN' it!!!

I cannot possibly say enough good things about IN THE BEGINNING. It is a desert island disc for me. So much so that I'll probably still keep the old CD version of it, which I never do.

I cannot WAIT to crank up STRAIGHT LIFE and BODY TALK, especially the Hubbard. They've done such a fantastic job with the remasters so far, I can't wait to hear how they take care of this bad boy!!!

*more jolly bouncing around the room*

[CJ Shearn]

Very cool! Great customer service, I think they understand the kind of fans buying these reissues. Anyway, June 14th there is a new batch coming:

Freddie: Straight Life http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509833&style=music (note the credits are used from the '97 reissue here which is a mistake I'm sure as the '97 edition is a remix, not the original album mix)

Stanley: Don't Mess With Mr. T http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509735&style=music

Hubert Laws: In the Beginning http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509768&style=music

George Benson: Body Talk http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8509913&style=music

*bounces around room in insane joy*

Do y'all know how close I came to picking up the Turrentine on vinyl at the Austin Record Show this weekend? Just something in the back of my mind said, "Wait, you just never know, and they ain't done reissuing yet."

Straight Life? In the Beginning? Body Talk? Am I in Heaven already??? It's like the folks at Sony Masterworks are going down that list I e-mailed 'em earlier this year! Love love LOVIN' it!!!

I cannot possibly say enough good things about IN THE BEGINNING. It is a desert island disc for me. So much so that I'll probably still keep the old CD version of it, which I never do.

I cannot WAIT to crank up STRAIGHT LIFE and BODY TALK, especially the Hubbard. They've done such a fantastic job with the remasters so far, I can't wait to hear how they take care of this bad boy!!!

*more jolly bouncing around the room*

Yeah, the original album mixes are killing all the domestic remixes of years prior, they are so much better. I mean the remixes are clearer yes but they lack the warmth. I do think the 2 disc "California Concert" is a great remix job and the mastering is warm, far superior to any previous US releases. I just hope they leave "Straight Life" as the LP sequence like the original CD reissue and don't duplicate and add the tracks from "California Concert" since they did the mega reissue of that one. I hope that for the original tapes of "Body Talk", the tape warbling and sliding up to pitch at the beginning of "Dance" like it does from the tape the previous reissue is mastered and remixed from doesn't exist on the 2 track masters. The tape warble there on the opening splash cymbal is nasty and sounds as if they unpaused the tape. Anyone else know what I'm talking about at the beginning of "Dance" on the 2002 reissue?

Edited May 4, 2011 by CJ Shearn

[jazzbo]

Do y'all know how close I came to picking up the Turrentine on vinyl at the Austin Record Show this weekend? Just something in the back of my mind said, "Wait, you just never know, and they ain't done reissuing yet."

Hope you had fun at the Record Convention. Decided not to go this time as the last ones have been pretty unimpressive for me. Bought a few dvds, and some bootleg cdrs, that's about it.

[mr jazz]

First Light on its way! My wife loves this album.

[marcoliv]

I could "bounce around the room in insane joy" with Art Farmer - Live In Tokyo or K&JJ - Israel

I will be very happy if both Hubbard/Turrentine In Concert are reissued and Benson's Other Side Of Abbey Road too

MCO

Edited May 9, 2011 by marcoliv

[CJ Shearn]

I could "bounce around the room in insane joy" with Art Farmer - Live In Tokyo or K&JJ - Israel

I will be very happy if both Hubbard/Turrentine In Concert are reissued and Benson's Other Side Of Abbey Road too

MCO

Marco, Sony does not have the rights for "The Other Side of Abbey Road", Universal does so it would not be a part of the CTI Masterworks program.

[Big Al]

Do y'all know how close I came to picking up the Turrentine on vinyl at the Austin Record Show this weekend? Just something in the back of my mind said, "Wait, you just never know, and they ain't done reissuing yet."

Hope you had fun at the Record Convention. Decided not to go this time as the last ones have been pretty unimpressive for me. Bought a few dvds, and some bootleg cdrs, that's about it.

It was okay; you didn't miss much, that's for sure. I mean, it was fun to walk around & stuff, but the only thing of interest to anyone around here was Kenny Burrell's ASPHALT CANYON SUITE, which I got for $3. Not sure if I'll come back down for another one. I mean, I got more goodies at Antone's after I left the convention, and it didn't cost me $5 to walk in there!

[jazzbo]

Yeah, sorry to hear that, that's been my experience for several years now. It's time has passed I guess.

[marcoliv]

Thanks CJ for the information. I'll wait then a japanese reissue as my original US copy is asking for jubilation

MCO

[ShowsOn]

I could "bounce around the room in insane joy" with Art Farmer - Live In Tokyo or K&JJ - Israel

I will be very happy if both Hubbard/Turrentine In Concert are reissued and Benson's Other Side Of Abbey Road too

MCO

Please send the folks at CTImasterworks an email with your requests:

info@ctimasterworks.com

I'd especially regarding the Hubbard / Turrentine releases which would make a great 2 CD set. I have already requested it, but it would be great if others do the same.

[CJ Shearn]

I could "bounce around the room in insane joy" with Art Farmer - Live In Tokyo or K&JJ - Israel

I will be very happy if both Hubbard/Turrentine In Concert are reissued and Benson's Other Side Of Abbey Road too

MCO

Please send the folks at CTImasterworks an email with your requests:

info@ctimasterworks.com

I'd especially regarding the Hubbard / Turrentine releases which would make a great 2 CD set. I have already requested it, but it would be great if others do the same.

Richard Seidel is looking strongly into reissuing that. That may be in the next batch.

[Big Al]

I could "bounce around the room in insane joy" with Art Farmer - Live In Tokyo or K&JJ - Israel

I will be very happy if both Hubbard/Turrentine In Concert are reissued and Benson's Other Side Of Abbey Road too

MCO

Please send the folks at CTImasterworks an email with your requests:

info@ctimasterworks.com

I'd especially regarding the Hubbard / Turrentine releases which would make a great 2 CD set. I have already requested it, but it would be great if others do the same.

They've been very responsive to me. Heck, I like to think that most of these re-issues are the result of an e-mail I sent to them shortly after the first batch, containing a list of what I was hoping to see. So far, damn near everything that's been issued was on that list!!! :party:

[Peter Johnson]

Does anyone have a suggestion for sleeves for these slightly-odd-shaped reissues? I'm experiencing the same blemish issues everyone else is, obviously. Would these work, for example?

[CJ Shearn]

The link won't load for me Peter, but I just try to pull the discs out very carefully with minimal damage