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Collecting Blue Note Jazz

I have decide to start building up a collection of Blue Note Jazz LPs, of which I have very few. What is the best way to go on what can be a sizeable investment. I am willing to spend for great music/sound quality, but cost is a factor, especially when originals are so expensive. I see many options, of which standouts include:
1. New Music Matters 45 RPM reissues.
2. Original Pressings ($$$)
3. Affordable but relatively early reissues (e.g. Blue Label, Liberty Pressings..maybe from the 70's or even early 1980s)
4. Just buy SACDs, since the LPs will not sound that great anyway.
The website www.dccblowout.com touts hot stampers. As I understand it, this site recommends shunning recent reissues and buying perhaps five or more original LPs or reissues (e.g. Blue Label) and keep the best sounding of the lot, while selling the rest. I've noticed that none of the Blue Note LPs I have so far offer sound quality on par with my LPs by the Contemporary Records label. Any recommendations? I have a pretty decent system for both LP and digital. Any advice would be much appreciated - Mark
mcmprov
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
after over 40 years in the biz,and 50 years as a collector, i've never bumped into a hot stamper. i have however bought 2 identical records which 'over time' did sound different(one better than the other). 'time' doesn't treat all records equally.
mcmprov OP
57 posts
 
Jaybo,
Haven't you been able to find some LPs with extraordinary fidelity? I only have about 700 LPs or so, and I certainly have some with fantastic, standout sound quality. If this is the case with you, why not allow for the possibility that your great sounding records could be hot stampers? Specifically, I tried getting multiple copies of Dionne Warwick Scepter LPs and Joan Armatrading and found some with better sound quality (irrespective of ticks and pops). Sticking with the topic of Blue Notes, I have been collecting more. As many posters have suggested, even some of the blue label reissues sound good...in some cases, I guess 80-90% of they way towards MM reissues, for a lot less $$$. I do have a moderately priced hot stamper on the way, my first, Dexter Gordon...One Flight Up. I'll let you know what I think. Anyway, I'm trying multiple approaches, and enjoying the music while I experiment.
stiltskin
499 posts
 
Speaking for myself there is nothing better in this hobby then owning an original first release of your favorite music on any label.

For me ,that's the icing on the cake.
Especially when it's over 50 years old and the vinyl including the sleeve are in better looking shape then you are.

Mcmprov Dexter Gordons One Flight Up is a fairly good album and yes these so called "hot stamper" Lps certainly do exist.
I was made aware of them in the late 1970s and been experiencing them all I can ever since.

The few 1950s original Blue Note first release, no R on the label, that I have are of my favorite musicians and their music.
For me they are treasures to own.

The King releases are good value if not the best around and I think Music Matters and Analogue Productions are doing a great job with their 45 rpm Blue Note re-issues.

jaybo
4,478 posts
 
great sounding records that are older are 'survivors'
mikkelbreiler
6 posts
 
@Buconero117

Short answer is yes, Blue Note reels were issued, but not while it was just Blue Note as in before 1966.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221500354335
Sidewinder album by Lee Morgan issued by Liberty Blue Note. This auction truly is a rare gem.

-Mikkel
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