New CD re-issues of Ahmad Jamal's Argo releases

[tom skouras]

New CD Argo Releases (April 17, 2024)

 UCCU-3225-3234  Count ‘Em 88, Volume 4, Portfolio, Penthouse, Happy Moods, At Pershing Vol. 2,  Listen To, At the Alhambra,  All of You, At the Blackhawk

A very long-time reader of the forum, and I wanted to alert Jamal fans that, as always, leave it up to the Japanese market to do it right with ten titles from the label that established this unique pianist to the jazz world. I know that Dusty Groove announced this same release, but I just learned today that all of the titles are now changed to delay, and that is never a good thing, since in the past that usually meant the discs never showed up in the US. I strongly recommend  using CD Japan to be certain to receive your order and to do so in amazing turnaround time. Example: I placed my order on Tuesday, 4/16, and it arrived yesterday evening! In addition to the speed, another factor is their price was considerably less than DG's $19 price offering at a mere $11.67 per disc, and with DHL shipping still cheaper than stateside sources will charge.

Just a tip from yet another lifelong jazz lover.

[soulpope]

Great music .... but likely without the bonus material released via the Mosaic box "The Complete Ahmad Jamal Trio Argo Sessions 1956-62" (?) ....

[felser]

1 hour ago, soulpope said:

Great music .... but likely without the bonus material released via the Mosaic box "The Complete Ahmad Jamal Trio Argo Sessions 1956-62" (?) ....

But with original artwork, which to me adds substantially to the overall experience of classic reissues.  One of the reasons I'm not a huge fan of Mosaic's.

[jazzbo]

Often I am tempted to buy these Japanese reissues for sonic upgrade reasons. For example I bought all the Basie Roulette reissues from Warner Japan and felt they were upgrades from the Mosaic versions.

But listening to the Jamal Mosaic. . . the sound is such an improvement from Atlantic LPs or cds I had of the material and so satisfying to listen to that I'm not going to purchase any of these new Japanese reissues. Cover reproduction means little to me, that's not a motivating factor. I love the Mosaic pictorial presentations.

[soulpope]

2 hours ago, felser said:

But with original artwork, which to me adds substantially to the overall experience of classic reissues.  One of the reasons I'm not a huge fan of Mosaic's.

Really appreciate original Cover Art (should be known in this forum 🤓), but in this case the Mosaic Box adds a lot of precious bonus material ("Alhambra" !!) ....

[mikeweil]

On 4/19/2024 at 9:54 PM, soulpope said:

Really appreciate original Cover Art (should be known in this forum 🤓), but in this case the Mosaic Box adds a lot of precious bonus material ("Alhambra" !!) ....

Indeed, and in a few cases longer versions of tracks. Argo LPs were short, so the Mosaic was a bargain in comparison.

Edited April 21 by mikeweil

[soulpope]

6 hours ago, mikeweil said:

Indeed, and in a few casees longer versions of tracks. Argo LPs were short, so the Mosaic was a bargain in comparison.

True ....