BNLA Series, more 999 Yen reissues from EMI Japan

[J.A.W.]

any idea on a US distributor?

Importing them directly from CDJapan will undoubtedly be cheaper.

[JSngry]

Don't know the live one at all. The other one is ok enough, just not anything "special" compared to Who Is.... which kind of hits a zone.

The live one's pretty good (though very short), just a trio behind her. And "Woman of the Ghetto" from it was famously sampled for that acid jazz hit by St. Germain.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=IDMgBxHcM5M

Was it the BN version that was sampled or the one on Chess (produced by Charles Stepney & containing some pre-EWF use of the kalimba by him)? I honestly don't know.

[felser]

Don't know the live one at all. The other one is ok enough, just not anything "special" compared to Who Is.... which kind of hits a zone.

The live one's pretty good (though very short), just a trio behind her. And "Woman of the Ghetto" from it was famously sampled for that acid jazz hit by St. Germain.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=IDMgBxHcM5M

Was it the BN version that was sampled or the one on Chess (produced by Charles Stepney & containing some pre-EWF use of the kalimba by him)? I honestly don't know.

Marlena Shaw Live at Montreux

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marlena Shaw Live at Montreux (also released as Marlena Shaw Live: Cookin' with Blue Note at Montreux) is a live album by American vocalist Marlena Shaw recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973 and released on the Blue Note label.[1] Shaw's introduction to the track "Woman of the Ghetto" was sampled for St. Germain's album Tourist (2000).

[JSngry]

And so it is!

The original is pretty strong on its own terms:

I don't see Stepney's name on that label. Maybe I was wrong about his involvement?

[cliffpeterson]

you can order them from cdjapan.com. if you buy a few, the delivered price will be less than you can get them from other sources

Edited October 1, 2012 by cliffpeterson

[J.A.W.]

you can order them from cdjapan.com. if you buy a few, the delivered price will be less than you can get them from other sources

See my post #26.

You gave the wrong address; the correct address is www.cdjapan.co.jp - here's the link again: CDJapan.

Edited October 1, 2012 by J.A.W.

[felser]

I don't see Stepney's name on that label. Maybe I was wrong about his involvement?

He and Richard Evans are both given production credits on the 'Mixed Bag' album, so you're probably right regardless of the labeling on the single. I also agree with you about the original being strong. Two different musical experiences, both of value. She's interesting - another one of those singers who didn't fit categorization well and likely suffered commercially for it (primo examples are the great Terry Callier, Gil Scott-Heron, but there were others).

[webbcity]

Hutcherson's Cirrus is a winner...and that one has never been on CD, AFAIK.

Cirrus is on the Hutcherson Mosaic Select.

Ah yes, you are correct! Forgot about that.

[robertoart]

I don't see Stepney's name on that label. Maybe I was wrong about his involvement?

He and Richard Evans are both given production credits on the 'Mixed Bag' album, so you're probably right regardless of the labeling on the single. I also agree with you about the original being strong. Two different musical experiences, both of value. She's interesting - another one of those singers who didn't fit categorization well and likely suffered commercially for it (primo examples are the great Terry Callier, Gil Scott-Heron, but there were others).

Terry Callier. There's a name I don't hear enough of anymore. I was lucky enough to witness an intimate club gig in Australia in 2004 (I think). Callier with just Bass player and Percussionist. Didn't know much about him at all, went with no expectations. Witnessed one of the most memorable gigs I've ever seen. Not what I'd call a big crowd, but unforgettable night. Pure vocal music.

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

this is an important series for cd format. 1st off none of these titles were issued on cd during the early days of cd, or really any era- most of these were never on cd. 2nd-ly the fusion-y nature of these make these titles a perfect fit for the cd-fromat. HOWEVER.....what sources will be used, original mastertapes perhaps? this is the big sticker point with me. if these were really legit transfers, man id be all over it. but will i pay big bucks for a digital copy of a freakin DAT or a copy of the master? no way.

i have gene harris- in a special way, a tocj cd from some years ago....sound=AMAZING. ive passed on sealed copies of the vinyl im so happy with it on CD. i hope this current series sounds similar. does amazon carry these titles ever, or do you have to use cdjapan?

[CJ Shearn]

I agree with you chewy that in a sense it's important these titles are on CD, particularly the Hutcherson and Elvin Jones make a return to circulation, but titles like Blue Note Live at The Roxy are musically unsatisfying for the most part, but good for completion.

[David Ayers]

And some of the greatest lyrics ever should not be lost to history:

Every generation

Of this life

Reflects a movie scene

Often more than twice

(R. Laws)

Oh that one's not on the list. Well, you get the idea. Soft spot for Fever here....

Edited October 3, 2012 by David Ayers

[Matthew]

any idea on a US distributor?

Importing them directly from CDJapan will undoubtedly be cheaper.

To follow up on Hans' link: Here's the pages with the cds

A number of the cds are high on my want list

Edited October 3, 2012 by Matthew

[JSngry]

This is the New Blue Note that the Newer Blue Note didn't want you to think of as Blue Note.

And now, it's baaaaaaacccckkkkkk!!!!!

[Matthew]

This is the New Blue Note that the Newer Blue Note didn't want you to think of as Blue Note.

And now, it's baaaaaaacccckkkkkk!!!!!

The Mizell brothers are visionary heroes now, who would've thunk it?????

[JSngry]

I've still not drank the Mizell Kool-Aid as originally packaged...but it does make great sampling fodder, I've heard any number of examples of this, so....I don't know what to make of that, other than maybe a whole box of prunes is too much to eat at a single sitting, but if you eat one or two at the right time, good things can be made to happen. Maybe the Mizell BN output is a giant box of prunes, and it's up to us the consumer to make proper use of it.

Or something.

[felser]

I've still not drank the Mizell Kool-Aid as originally packaged...but it does make great sampling fodder, I've heard any number of examples of this, so....I don't know what to make of that, other than maybe a whole box of prunes is too much to eat at a single sitting, but if you eat one or two at the right time, good things can be made to happen. Maybe the Mizell BN output is a giant box of prunes, and it's up to us the consumer to make proper use of it.

Or something.

Definitely the something. I have not ever kept a Mizell anything in my collection. Had mercifully forgotten about the whole "A New Note on Blue Note" marketing schtick. I did like the bold blue record label from that era.

[Matthew]

I've still not drank the Mizell Kool-Aid as originally packaged...but it does make great sampling fodder, I've heard any number of examples of this, so....I don't know what to make of that, other than maybe a whole box of prunes is too much to eat at a single sitting, but if you eat one or two at the right time, good things can be made to happen. Maybe the Mizell BN output is a giant box of prunes, and it's up to us the consumer to make proper use of it.

Or something.

Definitely the something. I have not ever kept a Mizell anything in my collection. Had mercifully forgotten about the whole "A New Note on Blue Note" marketing schtick. I did like the bold blue record label from that era.

Given all that, I do like what the Mizell brothers did on Johnny Hammond's Gambler's Life, their style was a good fit for the album, though that was released on the Salvation label, a subsidiary of CTI.

[JSngry]

Don't know the live one at all. The other one is ok enough, just not anything "special" compared to Who Is.... which kind of hits a zone.

I notice that the first Marlena BN (just titled Marlena) is not being included, which is no great loss, imo. Mostly generic George Butler/Wade Marcus voidity, although Richard Davis is on a cut or two, and...you can tell it right away b/c it's the only thing that really jumps up and out. Could - SHOULD - have been so much better with just a few better choices made at a few junctures.

Pulled out my copy of Who Is... to see what made such a difference between this and its two predecessors, and the answer jumped out just looking at the credits - Bernard Ingher. All over the place. So, no wonder.

[JSngry]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWSc08JcDOw

They let bedroom music have cool changes in the 70s.

Edited October 15, 2012 by JSngry

[JSngry]

I've been listening to this one this afternoon, and if the price ain't too nasty, I think I might spring. Really not a bad album, like I said, kinda hits a zone.

And for those who are interested, It's a Chuck Rainey/Harvey Mason hookup on most every cut.

[king ubu]

Why spring if you've already got it?

I got that one, too - and it's indeed quite alright. But it's nowhere close to "The Spice of Life" which I absolutely love! Is that first Cadet album similarly fine? The tracklist makes it look like it might be a mixed bag ...

[JSngry]

Why spring if you've already got it?

B/c what I have is a scratchy LP, and an MP3 that I "found" at my" friend's" place.

[king ubu]

Oh, I see! Recently got the old US BN CD of it, myself.

[Eric]

Cover views by release date from Tower (scroll to bottom):

11/21/12:

http://tower.jp/article/feature_item/2012/09/10/0105

12/19/12:

http://tower.jp/article/feature_item/2012/09/10/0104

1/23/13:

http://tower.jp/article/feature_item/2012/09/10/0103

Edited October 16, 2012 by Eric