Mosaic & Selects?

[tonym]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but what exactly is on the Mosaic box sets; are they a full discography of one particular artist's output for one label etc.

Or are they picked by an artist/producer etc. much like ECM's Rarum series?

Or are they chronological?

Furthermore, what qualifies as a Mosaic Select? Is it as the name suggests a compilation of the artist's 'gems' if you like?

Just curious, I don't own any and there is much discussion about them here.

Cheers, tonym

[Dan Gould]

If you go to the Mosaic site you'll quickly see what Mosaic sets are (but I suggest you leave your wallet behind, you'll be too tempted).

But basically, Mosaic sets are full box set treatments of a cohesive body of an artists work. It may be the entire label output or it may be subset of that, but it is cohesive in some way. Its a "premium" set because it includes an exhaustive essay covering the artist and the music contained therein, including all discographical details.

"Select" sets are smaller, less "premium" with less "sizzle". But they are still cohesive presentations. What they lack is the authoritative booklet and generally, unissued tunes or alternates.

[couw]

http://www.mosaicrecords.com/

[Brad]

As an example of what Dan is talking about, if you take a look at the Hank Mobley box, Mosaic choose his entire output from the 50s for Blue Note. It's got everything in there, nothing less. Mosaic goes in for the complete approach on their full size boxes.

That is how the Selects differ. They're not going for the complete approach. Plus, the booklet is just the original liner notes, unless there's an unissued session, in which case, Michael Cuscuna may write something about the session. In addition, he usually writes a brief postscript about the session.

[tonym]

If you go to the Mosaic site you'll quickly see what Mosaic sets are (but I suggest you leave your wallet behind, you'll be too tempted).

Thanks fellas. I can't be tempted at the mo'; my wallet has no folding stuff!