LP Label help.

Based on many years of LP collecting (going back to the late 1950's), there were many labels that had fine jazz recordings -- and most of them have already been mentioned. A pair of Italian labels also produced some superb jazz recordings starting in the mid-1980's: the "Black Saint" and "Soul Note" labels. Both labels are owned by Giovanni Bonandrini, and the jazz recordings on his labels were consistently among the most adventurous and best recorded. One of my favorite jazz artists is David Murray, and Bonandrini released some half-dozen terrific recordings by Murray's octet and quartet. If you find either Black Saint or Soul Note LP's, grab them!

Albert; Just wanted to agree with the ECM records comment. This label , while not "hardcore jazz", has produced stellar sonics and pristine surfaces since their inception in the early 70s (I think). Artists like Ralph Towner (Solstice!!WOW!!) and Steve Tibbetts (Northern Song!!)as well as Chick Corea (ARC, Trio Music, Trio Music Live)&, Kieth Jarrett have been wonderful and innovative to hear.
The German ECM pressings were a couple of notches better than the already excellent US copies.
I can imagine your going nuts over the sound through your Sound Labs. I had a chance to hear Tibbetts' "Northern Song" LP when first issued on Roger West's original Sound Lab Model R-1 and came away with the conclusion that this designer had the ability to advance the state of the art in speakers. Then , found out he worked with the ledgendary Arthur Janszen back in the KLH 9 days and I knew he had the pedegree to create a Quad beater. Never heard anything of his since.. Thanks for listening.......Frank

Frap, I am pleased to know that someone else is a fan of this material. As for "Northern Song," It is one of my favorites. The best copy I have of it ( I have three copies) is the release from the Munchen 60 GmbH address, in 1982, and is a promo.

I was so impressed the first time I found Steve Tibbetts material, that I wrote him and ask about his first LP titled "Steve Tibbetts." He actually wrote me back, on a postcard with a T Rex (dinosaur) on the front, apologizing that it was out of print. This confirmed that it existed, although I had never seen it. It was pressed by Frammis Records in Minneapolis, MN. and never released again. I never gave up looking, and now have two copies of it.

One last piece of obscure trivia, the album released on ECM titled "Yr" was previously released material. The original was also recorded by Frammis in MN. Unknown to most, Ralph Karsten, that owns Atmasphere was heavily involved in the recording. ( Neat trivia stuff, huh? )

ECM used a copy of the original tape, and had to remove a violin track for some reason ( heard they could not obtain rights ). The original pressing kills the ECM, which is wonderful in itself. If you can find the original Frammis LP, there are two versions, one with day sky and one with night sky. The cover art is all hand drawn artwork, and features a strange sphinx/horse creature standing near a biological looking space ship. I prefer the night sky version, but take what you can get.

Anyway, sorry if it is too much info, I am just as obsessed with the software as the gear. If you ever see the original, and like Yr, snag it ( Frammis 1522-25 ).

Thanks for the tip Albert, I will talk to my friends at Princeton to see if they have seen this first LP. If I am lucky enough to hear it, I'll report back.
Also, not to be missed, if you don't already have it is DAVID DARLING, CYCLES on ECM around the same time period. This label had a sound all its own, washed in wonderful reverb that in its own way enhanced the music.....maybe even more so than a natural studio A type environment. It was their house sound. Maybe the precurser to New Age music, but this was no sonic wallpaper like the stuff today on Narada etc....Nice to reminice about these little known items.....Frank