Comments on: Another UK Esquire and an Audiophile Question

By: Daryl

Daryl — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 01:04:19 +0000

Al, I really appreciate the exploration outside of 1st Edition Blue Notes. While I know little of Mobile Fidelity process and products, I know my “tubed-amp for each channel/separate power line to the house/turntable pre-amp/bought four cartridges to figure out the best one” friends have praised their vinyl for quite a while. Keep up the great work!

By: Anthony

Anthony — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 21:38:15 +0000

I misremembered slightly, the collection was from Peter Newbrook, co founder of Esquire, but I think the tapes were made by Carlo Krahmer. Hope you don’t mind this diversion into obscure British jazz matters! More information on the British Library website http://www.bl.uk/pdf/playback32.pdf

By: Anthony

Anthony — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 21:27:38 +0000

I understand Esquire used Oriole and Decca pressing plants in UK. A propos of nothing, went to fascinating talk a few years back where British Library people talked about the collection they had from the estate of Carlo Krahmer, the blind founder of Esquire. Essentially he had recorded methodically absolutely anything jazz related on English radio (bbc) from the 40s onwards. Some of the extracts played were fascinating (eg Stan Tracey on accordion).

By: Rudolf

Rudolf — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 12:56:24 +0000

I am sure Esquires were not mastered by Decca, unlike the Coral, Contemporary, World Pacific, Riverside, Atlantic labels, to name a few, which were mastered by Decca and issued in the U.K. on the Vogue, London and Decca labels.
Esquire used Prestige (and Transition) masters, flown in directly from the U.S.
I don’t know which U.K. pressing plant was used by Esquire, but I don’t see any reference or similitude to U.K. Decca pressings.

By: JOK

JOK — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 16:37:56 +0000

Decca had some great sounding early recordings. John Graas lab recordings are quite special, and I stumbled onto those because a couple of them had Art Pepper on them. 🙂

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 02:38:38 +0000

I’ve heard it and compared it to the recent AP Evans box and an ojc. We didn’t have an original copy unfortunately. The mofi was the winner, but just barely. It was a hair better than the AP and a good step better than the ojc. Not sure if it was really worth the $100 price though. Nothing ultrasonic about it, the eBay seller was confused. Ultrasonic is a cleaning process.

By: Joe L

Joe L — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 01:30:06 +0000

While not at the level of the originals, the OJC pressings of the Vanguard and Waltz for Debby LPs are pretty good. I’ve play-compared them against the originals, and they do surprisingly well. Obviously not as good, but reasonable subtitutes for $20.

By: gandi

gandi — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 23:51:09 +0000

I love this Village Vanguard session, for me it is the best jazz live recording ever and I’ve been waiting long time for an audiophile pressing as all my Riverside originals had/have various quality issues, even those that looked pristine (both mono and stereo). My MSFL copy sounds great, sound fidelity at the level of the first press but free from tics, crackle and other background noises. However I agree with Michel, the cover is ugly, no idea why they decided to put it in this large black frame and add golden print …

By: Michel

Michel — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 16:55:48 +0000

I found those Mo Fi reissues covers absolutely ugly. Will never have it on my shelves. How can you pretend to restore sound purity and at the same time waist such a marvelous cover design ?

By: Kees de Kat

Kees de Kat — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 14:20:50 +0000

For those of you who consider bidding on the Esquire records I have the following advise.Take a good look at the covers,in most cases the lamination is bubbling or even peeling off.I have won two Esquire’s on “vinyl- house- uk”,and one of them has two small tears in the cover and serious delamination.The Esquire-label is “in the lift” and therefor prices are in most cases( Coltrane, Rollins ,Miles) ridiculous high.An advantage is the superb Decca-pressings and exceptional sound quality.