Music Matters Jazz Recollections: A Conversation with Kevin Gray and Joe Harley

[@CoreysChannel]

I'm so grateful I'm living in this incredible era where I can walk into a record store and buy each piece of history this team releases. Bravo Paul, this is first class and had me engaged start to finish. Great discussion, excellent questions and follow up questions. Joe's insights during the conversation, the prompting question from Michael where Kevin expounded on how he pretty much cuts "repeating" recordings with a fresh listen giving us subtle variations between pressings....Jeremy had great questions and you were an excellent emcee. Oh! and we got a hint of what's to come! Cheers ~Corey

[@BarakaPDub]

Happy New Year Corey. I am constantly amazed at where we're at today with all of the reissues and the attention they get. It just goes to show how strong the music was from the past century. When you and I were growing up, I can't recall the same focus in the cassette and CD era. The focus was more on what was new. Regardless of genre, I think the production was just better and that's why we keep going back.

[@ryanz4772]

I could listen to Joe tell stories for hours. Fantastic interview, guys.

[@BarakaPDub]

You and me both! I honestly hopes he writes an autobiography and cover his whole relationship with Jazz music production.

[@johnmates6076]

Thanks for this great video. I could listen to Joe and Kevin talk all day.

[@BarakaPDub]

It was a lot of fun to do and originally, we were only going to have Kevin. Kevin invited in Joe and it went from there. We spent another half hour talking off camera which was fun as well. Thanks for watching.

[@BOBBRADLEYCHANNEL]

Great talk gentlemen! Hearing Joe and Kevin answer these nicely chosen questions renews my excitement about whats coming down the line with tone poet series!🤓

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Bob. We talked a bit off camera and Joe highlighted a title coming next year which Classic did and no one else has touched. Lots of good things to look forward to ;)

[@SamuelRivera_DAMN]

Excellent Video!! Thanks to all involved 🫶

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you SamuelRivera_DAMN. This one was something I never thought possible.

[@mcgjohn22]

what a great interview and discussion. Its great listening to both Joe and Kevin.

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you mcgjohn for watching this one and so sorry for my delayed replies!

[@andysmusicden]

Great conversation. 🙏

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you Andy!

[@mr.k5828]

Wow! Great discussion! So cool to hear Kevin shout out the Horace Silver song Pretty Eyes. I keep telling folks to listen to this gem! The interplay, feeling, dexterity and dynamics are off the charts. A superb piece off a favorite album of mine.

[@BarakaPDub]

Horace Silver had a lot of wonderful songs and Pretty Eyes was one of his best. I just I wish I had my record more accessible when I made the video as I would have pulled the record off the shelf. Horace is my favorite pianist. Thanks for watching mr.k5828.

[@brendanoreilly2014]

Can't get enough of this... really enjoyed it, thank you.

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you Brendan! I am so happy that Kevin (and Joe through Kevin) agreed to do this.

[@paulcosta7436]

Great video! One of my best record buys was getting on that subscriber list from day one. I was a novice jazz fan back then. Music Matters helped change that for the better.

[@BarakaPDub]

I fell into the same camp but almost a year after they started. I was so happy I could pick out the first year's titles on the cheap. Like you, I blindly bought whatever they put out and I was quite happy.

[@mazzysmusic]

A great hang and conversation fellas. I feel fortunate I was able to into MMJ before it got crazy. Cheers 🌟

[@BarakaPDub]

Yeah. this was really fun to do and we were all on cloud nine afterwards. It was something that I never thought we could make happen. I am sorry so many folks missed out on the MMJs but I am happy they are coming out via the Classic series for the masses.

[@fitzelectricbar]

I have just started watching this so my question may be premature but are the OJC’s coming out from the same plates and essentially the same sound as MMJ?

[@BarakaPDub]

Same sound but completely new cuts of the records. If Kevin Gray is doing them, he should be getting access to the masters each time. The resulting sound should be the same as the MMJs. I vaguely recall asking him about them when I visited his studio in June. I told him his version of the Mal Waldron title mopped the ERC version on the floor. Goes to show spending $500 on one record is ridiculous.

[@mazzysmusic]

@@fitzelectricbar OJCs are a different label too. No Blue Notes. OJC cover Fantasy , Riverside, Prestige and Contemporary labels ✌🏼

[@fitzelectricbar]

@@BarakaPDub Thanks for the info and reply. It’s great hearing Joe and Kevin share their thoughts and experiences.

[@dimebagdave77]

Happy new year brother! Hope to hear from you soon 🤘

[@BarakaPDub]

Happy New Year my friend and sorry for the delayed response. I've been under the weather the past several days. Nothing like getting sick during the holidays.

[@dimebagdave77]

@@BarakaPDub sorry buddy, here if you need me 🤘 otherwise I hope things are good

[@ginntonic123]

Thanks for this . Music Matters Jazz deserves such a video as it set the standard for records to come and is still the best way to get those blue notes .

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks ginntoic123. It was really the brainchild of Michael Muller. He and Jeremy have been on a quest to complete their MM sets.

[@false_binary]

Dope intro, killer panel, and even CENSORED CONTENT. Subscribed!

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks False Binary :) And so sorry for my delayed reply.

[@mazdef2001]

the definitive MMJ chat. Well done all

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you marekpeszynski3041! I am not sure if anyone had attempted this before and it's something that we wanted to do. We're just luck we got Kevin and Joe (via Kevin) to participate.

[@Budgetphile]

Thanks for the video. Joe and Kevin are such a wealth of knowledge and so generous with their time.

[@BarakaPDub]

Hello Matthew Arends! Yeah, we lucked out with this one and I am glad the two of them agreed to do it. It's fun delving into their recollections.

[@David-Ellis]

Excellent discussion - thank you so much. 😊

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you David-Ellis! I hope the video will serve as a useful reference for folks in the future.

[@cradio52]

I absolutely loved this - truly a fascinating and insightful discussion!

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you cradio52. We had watched a lot of interviews with Kevin and Joe and there wasn't anything specifically covering Music Matters so we decided to go for it.

[@brokewithaudiophiletaste6076]

This is so good, Paul! Beautiful intro. Brilliant concept for the conversation. Loved being a fly on the wall for all this. Congrats, you hit it out of the park with this!

[@BarakaPDub]

Hello my friend! Yeah, we really got lucky with this. Initially, we were only going to do it with Kevin but then Kevin asked if we wanted Joe involved. How could we say 'no' to that. I got to visit Kevin in the studio earlier this summer and shot a little bit of footage which I hope to weave into a future video.

[@preservedmoose]

That was great! Thank you so much. I only have some of the 33s from music matters and I was able to buy all of the SRX. But I came in to it late and missed most of the series. Also, living outside the US, it was really expensive with postage and import taxes. Still, as you say, they are a work of art and I love them!

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you so much for watching preserved moose. I know if I lived outside of the US, I probably would not have a complete set. I have lived in Europe for a time and things like VAT make it down right expensive. So glad you picked up all the SRX titles. Those are all of the must have, warhorses!

[@MrLovell1971]

Killer conversation I own about 35 I wish I would of bought more that Bobby Hutcherson the Happenings sounds outstanding you definitely see why the Music Matters command such a high prices . Another killer is Lee Morgan Candy wow smokin’ Kevin Gray and Joe Harley was definitely on their A game and is continuing to kick butt withe the Tone Poets and Classic series .

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Lovell. I knew Happenings was in high demand but it wasn't until I started talking to Jeremy and Michael did I know that Wahoo was also in high demand. I seem to recall Wahoo was one of the last 33s that they dropped before the SRX. I hope both of these get dropped via the Classics soon.

[@MrLovell1971]

@@BarakaPDub I thing down the line Wahoo is going to come back as a Classic . I was lucky to find a Stereo liberty press for $45 around 2017 an it sounds very good.

[@AlbumInsights]

Great job guy’s.

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you album insights! This was a fun collaboration and I am glad Kevin and Joe were willing to do it.

[@AlbumInsights]

@@BarakaPDub a few years back I started buying Music Matters and I got into a heated debate with this guy on Facebook in a vinyl group he ran about Music Matters. I’m one of the fortunate people who own all the SRX’S including 2 Blue Train’s which is another story. But anyway I remember watching your video about this guy name Ken something and him not telling the truth about MMJ. Thanks for that video back then Bruh!

[@mr.k5828]

Love these interviews with Kevin Gray and Joe Harley. I must’ve watched 5-6 very different ones and they’re very informative, though they were mostly about Tone Poet(not MM). Every time I watch a new interview, though, I feel I don’t know anything about the man leading the 80th / Classic series, Mr. Cem Kurosman? If you ever have a chance to have him on, maybe even with Kevin and / or Joe, I think it’s be great! Plenty more questions regarding his series and how Joe and he discuss upcoming titles! Thanks for the great work, Paul.

[@BarakaPDub]

That's actually a pretty interesting suggestion with Cem Kurosman. I don't think anyone has ever really reached out to him and he's been with Blue Note for quite some time. I may have to ask Kevin if Cem would be interested in chatting sometime.

[@mr.k5828]

@@BarakaPDub please do!!

[@L.E.55472]

Hello my friend👋🏻.....I will be back Paul....gotta gotta gotta See this!!peace on my friend☮️🙏🏻✨✊🏻😎🎶 WOW this was so very in-depth and great questions very much appreciate all involved

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you! I hope you're doing well! Been out of commission due to work as of late but I am really happy we could make this work.

[@L.E.55472]

@@BarakaPDub I’m extremely happy you found the time....I know as many of us do that when we don’t hear from you it’s usually work related!! Take care Paul ✊🏻😎🎶

[@67Pepper]

I have several Audioquest LP's from early 90's, all sound great, also have several Groovenote LP's. I have the Horace Parlan and Art Blakey Music Matter 45's too. Thanks Joe!!!!!

[@BarakaPDub]

I don't have a single Audioquest LP and after we had chatted they are ones that I am definitely going to look at. Are there any you recommend? Thanks so much for watching!

[@67Pepper]

@@BarakaPDub The Audioquest music label was strictly Blues oriented so if you like Blues you'll enjoy pretty much any of the releases. Mighty Sam McClain "Give it up to Love" is my favorite of the bunch. It's pretty hard to find on the Audioquest label and expensive if you do find it but Chad released it recently on 45rpm for $60- so you should check it out. It's a great album and should sound terrific in that format too. I also like Doug Macleod "You can't take my blues" on the Audioquest label, best to check out the different artists and listen to samples, see what you like but they were all recorded well and sound very good.

[@BarakaPDub]

Hmm. I have the Doug Macleod album Chad did several years back but it was the more recent recording. I will have to check out Chad's reissue of the Audioquest title.

[@ConcertBuddie]

Holy shit is this good! Way to go!

[@BarakaPDub]

Yeah. I am glad we were able to make this one happen. I still have some footage from my Kevin studio visit in the can from months ago which I hope to release in a video soon. Thanks for watching my friend!

[@d.n.a5415]

Joe Harley = The Steve Jobs of Vinyl

[@BarakaPDub]

That is definitely a good analogy!

[@Universityofvinyl]

Very classy conversation 👍🏻👍🏻

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you sir! Are you near Boulder by the way? I just came back from a business trip in Boulder and thought out reaching out but the timing was too tight. I might be back that way next year.

[@Universityofvinyl]

@@BarakaPDub yes, in Fort Collins, only 45 min drive, hopefully you had time to visit Paradise Found records? 👍🏻

[@BarakaPDub]

I'll keep you posted and hopefully, we can connect the next time I come that way. No time to check out Paradise Found (or Twist and Shout) on this trip.

[@dimebagdave77]

Good to have you back 🤘🤘🤘

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you! I honestly wish I could do more but I got to credit it Michael and Jeremy for pushing the idea. We got Kevin and Kevin connected us with Joe. It's more than we could have asked for.

[@JohnHuha]

So, there are more copies of Wahoo sitting around, and at some point will be put up for sale? Right on!

[@BarakaPDub]

I know there are a few popping up in stores in California ;)

[@AsTheTableTurns]

Super cool intro!

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you. It's an After Effects template I picked up and modified so I can't claim full credit ;)

[@AsTheTableTurns]

@@BarakaPDub I work in After Effects as well. You can’t tell from my videos.

[@BarakaPDub]

Nice! Just subbed ya!

[@AsTheTableTurns]

@@BarakaPDub Oh, thank you! Haven’t made a video in awhile but I will start back up soon.

[@jackfalco5351]

Still waiting for the mono series

[@BarakaPDub]

Now that would be fun!

[@kjb930]

What’s the music during the intro?

[@BarakaPDub]

It's some stock music that I grabbed somewhere but I can't remember where I grabbed it. It could have been Artlist or Envato.

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

Prince hated what the internet was doing to music because he said that you're getting the sound all in bits and that we are analogue people, not digital...

[@BarakaPDub]

I heard him say that too ;)

[@rufus_the_cat]

Jaaaaaayzuuuuus Man is this your Magnum Opus? I

[@BarakaPDub]

I definitely got way lucky on this one and it was not something I really expected to happen.

[@rufus_the_cat]

@@BarakaPDub I did not realize it was an interview, that explains the long running time. Great information, I want to check out that skateboard/hip hop documentary. I’m lobbying the VC to get an interview with Ryan K Smith to have him talk about classical and why he is so successful with that genre.

[@BarakaPDub]

I think it would be fun to get Ryan K. on camera. I can thank the pinchebollio for brokering the connect with Kevin Gray.

[@Hey__Joe]

9 titles left. The Wahoo is my white whale.

[@BarakaPDub]

9 Titles...that's not too bad! Is that for all of the 33s and 45s?

[@Hey__Joe]

@@BarakaPDub No my rule is that I have all the SRX titles including Indestructible, if it’s not a SRX and it’s available on 45 then I get that. Finally , if it’s not an SRX or a 45 then I get the 33. I don’t need 2 copies of the same record. I am also missing the Coltrane Blue Train SRX since I have the tone poet.

[@jeremyelkin]

The Trane SRX smokes the TP fyi

[@Hey__Joe]

@@jeremyelkin I have heard it’s better