Paul c r Monk

Johnny Smith - The Complete Roost Johnny Smith Small Group Sessions (1952-64) {8CD Box Set Mosaic MD8-216 rel 2002}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.55 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.29 Gb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 67 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1952-64, 2002 Roost / Mosaic Records / EMI | MD8-216
Jazz / Cool / Guitar

Johnny Smith is an exquisite jazz guitarist known mostly to fellow musicians and serious jazz fans. This beautifully packaged and expertly annotated eight-CD limited-edition boxed set from Mosaic includes his complete small-group recordings for Roost, most of which have languished out of print for decades. Smith's unique voicings on his instrument set him apart from other players, yet he maintains a lush, crystal-clear tone no matter the tempo or setting.

Miles Davis with John Coltrane - The Complete Columbia Recordings (2000) {Vinyl, Mosaic MQ9-191 rec 1955-1961} (Out-Of-Print)
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/48kHz - VINYL RIP -> 2.26 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 929 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 193 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1955-61, 2000 Columbia / Mosaic Records | MQ9-191
Jazz / Hard Bop / Cool / Bop / Jazz Blues / Modal Music

Some nine years after Miles Davis’ untimely death, Columbia Records is still repackaging his recorded legacy. The most recent efforts in this area have been made available both on compact disc and in 180-gram vinyl versions by way of Mosaic Records. It is the latter edition that this review is based on, though it should be noted that basically the only difference between the two sets, besides the presentation medium, is that Mosaic’s package is a 12 x 12 box with an album-sized booklet accompanying the records.

Various Artists - From Middle Jazz To Be-Bop (1952-1955) - La Grande Histoire Du Jazz Vol. 2 (2010) {Box 25CD - 50 of 100}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 10.8 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 5.07 Gb
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© 1952-55, 2010 Le Chant du Monde | 574 1925.49
Jazz / Classic Jazz / Middle Jazz / Be-Bop

An epic 100 CD chronological documentation of the history of jazz music from 1898 to 1959, housed in four boxed sets. Each box contains 25 slipcase CDs, a booklet (up to 186 pages) and an index. The booklets contain extensive notes (Eng/Fr) with recording dates and line-ups. 31 hours of music in each box, totalling 1677 tracks Each track has been restored and mastered from original sources.

King’s College Choir are the most famous choir in the world. This 29-CD set of the complete Argo recordings celebrates David Willcocks’ tenure from 1957-1973 and includes some of the most beautiful choral music sung with the choir’s trademark richness and purity of sound. Six albums are released on CD for the first time – David Willcocks’ 1964 Festival of Lessons & Carols and Tye Masses and four albums from Boris Ord, Willcocks’ predecessor. Also includes works by Bach, Tallis, Haydn and others.

The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Complete Atlantic Studio Recordings 1956-1964 (2011) {7 CD Box Set Mosaic MD7-249}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.97 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.23 Gb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 285 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1956-64, 2011 Mosaic / Atlantic / Rhino | MD7-249
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Third Stream / Piano / Vibes

That sound. One group conceived it. Defined it. Perfected it. The Modern Jazz Quartet was certainly one of the most distinctive voices in the history of jazz, thanks to the unique qualities of personal expression and collective vision of its members Milt Jackson, John Lewis, Percy Heath and Connie Kay (who had replaced original drummer Kenny Clarke by the time the band started recording this music). They were also exceptionally prolific during their tenure at Atlantic Records, producing 14 albums in eight years. And now, that MJQ sound gets the complete respect it deserves, thanks to our new box, The Complete 1956-1964 Modern Jazz Quartet Atlantic Studio Recordings.

Miles Davis - 'Round About Midnight (1956) {2006 DSD Japan Mini LP Edition Analog Collection SICP 1201}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 191 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 95 Mb | Full Artwork
© 1956, 2006 Sony Music Japan / Columbia | SICP 1201 | DSD | HQD High Quality Disc
Jazz / Cool / Hard Bop / Trumpet

The combination of attitude and intellect was irresistible. Beginning with ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT and proceeding through a remarkable succession of famous recordings over the next 30 years, Miles Davis became one of the greatest soloists, arrangers and talent scouts in the history of American music. People who didn't own a single jazz record came to know his name–Miles was a jazz icon.