I think he’s justifying things after the fact or has talked himself into thinking those albums are essential. But maybe you’re right that he truly believes those underrated albums are still great and he’s doing the world a service by exposing everyone to it.
This is something I remember him saying that I think about when I think he doesn't like ranking releases from artists he likes and separating the essentials:
That is an absolutely fair assessment, and I agree it's not his best work but I am still glad I have it in my collection.
Sounds like Storf alright! Haha. But that’s what I mean with the labels having more say. Most of them want to reissue the bigger titles on their own. Why only get a small cut of the revenue when they can get the whole thing? If Storf wants to reissue C and D list titles in someone’s catalogue they are more than happy to let them have that. I still think they blew their licensing budget for the year on Aretha and Otis and are since taking what they can get...
I am at least super happy to get those two titles, especially the mono Aretha Now. I had a very long running eBay search for that one!
That’s exactly what I think too! It’s my #1 Classics ROTM of 2020 so far! It’s such a joyful album! Love it to bits!
Im a sucker for Classics, but I do feel like they have slowed down on the 'big releases' compared to the beginning. I'm not familiar enough to pass comment with some of the genres (other than saying I have enjoyed all of them) but in terms of jazz to have Archie Shepp, Alice Coltrane, Stan Getz / Charlie Byrd, Max Roach, and Miles Davis/John Coltrane at the beginning was insanely strong, especially considering it was each of those artists biggest (or one of) albums to be picked. The McCoy pick has jumped it back up a level for me, but within the last jazz releases we had obscure ones from Herbie Hancock and Dave Brubeck (not that they weren't great, just not the same punchy level as the beginning)
Oh man thank you so much for reminding me of this. Ron Carter and Gary Bartz......yes please!
Yea--look at how the track started vs where it's at the past few months...it really was can't miss for a long time. There were very few I didn't feel the need to buy. I think I started caring less about them around the time of Willie Bobo and have skipped more than I have purchased since. There have only been 2 this year that I was excited about really.
Ridiculous. Glad you’ve got yours at leas.
Im with you in the sense that I have enjoyed every release this year, but most of the releases I went in blind. Not that this is a bad thing though as part of the reason I joined VMP all those years ago was to have my eyes (ears) opened to new music. I do think the first year was stronger though. I certainly look forward to Classics most each month compared to the other subs.
Yeah I actually like the going in blind aspect sometimes and love being exposed to new music.
Bloody hell. My email from Pauly said "There was a slight delay with the remaining stock we had of that title, but we should be shipping your copy with your August shipment"