Is a "Vinyl Me, Please" subscription worth it for a jazz collector?

[@michaelfoxbrass]

I was very happy with VMP, and I found their LP’s both well-pressed and that they presented interesting artists/recordings. I only left the subscription service when changes in my finances dictated.

[@brendanoreilly2014]

Thanks for the overview. Monk's Music is something to look forward to.

[@retromusings]

Interesting views about VMP. Thanks for the video. I have a re-issue of that Gabor Szabo lp and it's really phenomenal and I have a few early issues of his work. Amazing musician.

[@andygoldblatt]

Great overview. I finally used up all my credit and let my membership lapse, but will probably be back at some point. A jazz release I've surprisingly enjoyed a lot is Coleman Hawkins - The Hawk Flies High. Its definitely worth it as a swap if its available.

[@paulaidenmusic]

You can absolutely join for one month and decide whether to leave when the next record pre order is up then have a week or so to decide whether to stay and if you choose to swap or stop…. There’s been some AMAZING jazz records that are gems in my collection like Art Blakey “The Freedom Rider” which sounds incredible, Sonny Rollins “Freedom Suite” which got me into Rollins, breathtakingly good and in my top 10 records (out of 1000+). Lee Morgan “take 12”, Ornette Coleman “shape of jazz to come” which slays every other version, their Abbey Lincoln title got me into her and also two other female jazz singers albums blew me away Barbara Lea and Claudia Thompson which was an exclusive. Also don’t forget the absolute perfection of the VMP Blossom Dearie. Very happy with all these albums and thankful that VMP got me into Art Blakey, Rollins and Abbey Lincoln and now have between 3-11 other albums of those artists all because of VMP and love learning about the albums in the little books.

[@paulaidenmusic]

I would recommend for jazz fans dipping in and out. I have had a few months off now but will be re-joining for Monks music in June

[@ScottTice1971]

Absolutely worth it BUT you have to like more than jazz. Their quality has improved and the releases are great. There are months that there is nothing of interest for my but you can stash for credit or swap, as you've mentioned. The back catalog still in print is also quite vast so if you joined now you'll have a lot to choose from. I'm really digging there hip-hop offerings. IMHO it's the best monthly vinyl subscription plan.

[@arize84]

Never heard of Gabor Szabo but definitely going to pick it up. Thanks for info.

[@amosperrine1909]

Some of VMP offerings are not necessarily exclusive, save for color variations. But, generally speaking, I am quite pleased with their jazz offerings. I miss the QRP pressings, and I wish they'd do one solely devoted to jazz & blues. Hopefully their plant will open soon. Lee Morgan rules.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

No arguments there! Lee Morgan 4 Life!

[@robertocarlos_v]

Lee Morgan 4 eva!

[@SamHaefnerArchive]

an incredibly comfy video to watch! i'm curious if you have any thoughts on the recent Spiritual Jazz Bundle that dropped on their storefront?

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Nice Video! So couple things to add - they are running a HUGE deal right now if you sign up for a year you get 8 FREE RECORDS....I just happened to sign up before this promo came - I literally just ordered that Gabor Szabo - Dreams - as well as - Dizzy, 4 Black Jazz Label Records, and some other soul LPS - total over $300 worth of vinyl FOR FREE....well with a membership but technically my memberbship got me 20 records for the years. And as you said - some are AAA cut pressings you would expect from AP!

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Thank you for the reminder! So I had previously only been paying in 3 month increments which only entitled me to 1 record. I just changed it to annual, and yea when I renew coming up in June, I get 8 free records which is absolutely insane (although another nod to the BMG/Columbia House models)

[@ryanz4772]

How do you like that Lee Morgan Take Twelve title? I have a copy on the way.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

It's good. Know that Jazzland stereo titles tended to be pretty hard panned in terms of stereo separation, and that's manifested a bit here as well. Jazzland and VeeJay for Lee just never sounded quite as good as Blue Note

[@2WheelsGood]

As a designer, I have a lot of issues with VMP and as you mentioned the color vinyl, not a fan. That said, I have Miles Davis Sorcerer, the Lateef you showed, and a few others and they're quality pressings and def the best option as far as certain title reissues are concerned. I just think the foil stamp VMP, the useless OBI, the cocktail recipe or whatever novelty they throw in us superfluous and makes the price increase. So i'm 50/50 on them. I get that they're interested in a larger than a demo like myself (Age 40, 20 years of buying records) and want to get the new-comer and color vinyl enthusiasts. I enjoy the content, appreciate the effort.

[@patrickkilpatrick1536]

Gabor Szabo's Dreams is so good. It's not really jazz, like some of his other records, but it works. I think this pressing sounds great.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

yea that's right, sort of adjacent maybe only because it's instrumental, but still a very welcome addition to the series!

[@kguy2know]

I had a good experience with Columbia House and BMG. I was a member when it was lp for Columbia House (i'm dating myself).. I actually like VMP too, but some of their pressings were not stellar. I also do not like that they actually sell regular records that you can buy in a record store (and they do not take returns for these non-exclusives, even if unopened). The plus is they have a lot of AAA exclusive releases. If you do get the year subscription, you get the albums cheapest. I have the Classics subscription and have only had a few that I have passed on. I also did subscribe to the Vinyl me Parton to get her early recordings (don't judge too harshly)- they actually have had a few great Country titles as well. My biggest disappointment record I have gotten from them was The Ella Live at Hollywood Bowl, sound was muffled and to be frank, pure crap. Especially when there was the recently lost recordings issue that was wonderful. Yes, the albums you have shown I also have and I have been really happy with them. I am looking forward to the Cadet box set being released. I am still trying to get that Dorothy Ashby it has been briefly reissues and it seemed to sell out in 5 seconds...but I am hopeful it will come up again. Lastly, I have to say I was very disappointed with the recent Monk live Paris 1969. To me it sounded quite muffled ( I have Fluance rt-85) of course these may be rare and may not have been the best recorded to begin with. If you got this one, I would love to hear what you thought of it.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Good points. I did not get the Ella Live, but you're right the Lost Recordings one is absolutely phenomenal. Monk Live... I honestly intentionally steered clear because I was worried about the quality after also getting the Miles/Coltrane live date and being disappointed with that. There is only so much you can do I suppose depending on the source material, but I feel like labels generally should be up front about what to expect with live recordings.

[@chelillingworth9466]

Maine!

[@musicalchurch]

I recently joined and I am paying on a monthly basis.

[@bradleykay]

Keep in mind: any AAA from Sony (and perhaps occasionally from other labels) will be from a copy of the master tape. This isn’t exclusive to VMP, it’s just that Sony doesn’t let the master tapes out for anyone.

[@SkipBassman]

Me: “I wonder if he’s going to talk about Coltrane’s Sun Ship?” Me: …😮

[@TheFlippertube]

I find the classics jazz to be great, but the color variations less so. Take Makuku. Shortly after it was announced, a plain black version was released, for less, elsewhere with all other pressing details identical. I suppose it comes down to one's reasons for collecting....

[@jazzvinylcollector]

yea that's exactly right. We all get to have our own priorities. I do wish there was more transparency up front with what titles are actually exclusive and in what capacity. In certain instances, we're faced with spending $300 on a box set because there are 1 or 2 titles that are particularly compelling, and it'd be an easier decision to purchase or not if we knew what the plans were for the titles going forward

[@PieterKleij]

I use Sun Ship to 'throw' out guests that stay too long. Jokes aside, the last few are very, very good.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Peter Brotzmann's Machine Gun does the trick quite well too!

[@KeithSkronek]

Freddie Roach Brown Sugar is a great album. So is Monk's Music.

[@colejensen1035]

Do you only collect jazz?

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Yes, I believe out of 3300 records in my collection, that perhaps 20 of them are not in the jazz genre