[Minn Mark]

I know the recent buzz is all about the 75th Anniversay 33 1/3 reissues, but I want a few (only a few as they are pricey) of the 45 RPM reissues. Are there differences between the offerings from Analogue Productions versus Music Matters?  I recently got The Soothsayer (Wayne Shorter) and Talkin' Bout (Grant Green) from MM,  and then Hub Tones (Freddie Hubbard) from AP. Sound quality seems comparable, but was dissappointed that the AP set was in a single slot cover. While 'nice'  it's not as nice as the heavy gatefold covers I was expecting via MM.

Any comment, esp. where there are duplicate offerings from these vendors on which one might be preferable 45 set to have is appreciated.


I did pick up one of the 33 1/3 reissues (Art Blakey and JM, Free for All), and it sounds good. 


I collected several of  the 1980's reissues (DMM and the like) back in the day, and had been buying the 'cheap' ($12) reissues from Sound Stage Direct.  They sound OK, but its a roulette as to the visual condition and warpage.  I'd like to flesh out my collection with top quality 45 rpm sets of the albums I really like.

Thanks,

Mark

[Gzerro]

I have a few of each and you can't really go wrong with either. They each did 50 45RPM Blue Note releases and divided them up between them so there are no duplicates between AP and MM 45RPM Blue Note releases. Just get the music you like best.

I would give MM a slight edge both in sound quality and production quality although I don't have a large enough number of them to be conclusive ($50 a pop is a bit rich for me, I just have a few favorites). ORG Jazz 45RPMs I have found are pretty good as well (Charles Mingus Ah Um is amazing).

The only direct comparison I have is the new Music Matters 33RPM reissues series. I have the Kenny Burrel "Midnight Blue" on AP 45RPM and also the new MM 33RPM. The 33RPM MM is better sound and the cover is much nicer. This is the opposite of what I would have expected. The covers are also top notch and they are not as expensive as the 45s.

I am looking forward to Cannonball Adderely's "Something Else" 33RPM from MM due out later this year. I also have this on 45RPM AP so it will be another direct comparison.

Its great to have all these very high quality choices.

Happy Listening.

Tom

[dminches]

I much prefer music matters.  Their releases are consistently great while I have found some AP releases to be just good.  All the music is terrific from both "lablels", but the MM records are the quietest I have ever heard.  Everything is meticulously done.

[BobRex]

I have a few of each and you can't really go wrong with either. They each did 50 45RPM Blue Note releases and divided them up between them so there are no duplicates between AP and MM 45RPM Blue Note releases. Just get the music you like best.

Umm, the Music Matters releases count more than 100.  There were originally supposed to be 60, but Ron kept going, and going, and going.  You are correct that there are no dupes between MM and AP.  There are duplicates with the old Classic run, but that's a diferent story.

[Gzerro]

Umm, the Music Matters releases count more than 100.  There were originally supposed to be 60, but Ron kept going, and going, and going.  You are correct that there are no dupes between MM and AP.  There are duplicates with the old Classic run, but that's a diferent story.

Thank you for the correction. Sorry for the misinformation. I could have sworn I read that recently, but should have double-checked before posting.

Tom

[J-Pak]

Umm, the Music Matters releases count more than 100.  There were originally supposed to be 60, but Ron kept going, and going, and going.  You are correct that there are no dupes between MM and AP.  There are duplicates with the old Classic run, but that's a diferent story.

There are some dupes between MM and AP with the new Music Matters 33 rpm releases. I have Idle Moments in both versions and the Music Matters though only 33 rpm does sound better than the AP 45 rpm.

MM are also using their high quality gatefold jackets with Frank Wolff session photos like their 45 rpm reissues did.