Shootout: Blue Note: Classic Series How Good are They?

Classic Series vs. Analogue Production vs. MusicMatters SRX

[@calvincurtis8648]

Another wonderful shootout comparison that answers that question those of us who missed out on Music Matters need to know. Can't wait to start filling in the holes in my Blue Note collection.

[@nickcharles1241]

"Sidewinder" is indeed one of my favorite jazz albums as well. I can't begin to guess how many versions exist of these two albums as well as other popular jazz classics. I'm glad to hear that the new affordably priced versions stood their ground in the shoot out! Look forward to your future reviews!

[@HighnoonsVinyl]

Thanks for the side by side look at these classics. I am excited that Blue Note is taking an affordable approach for consumers to get quality classics at a very fair price. Should be getting mine soon.

[@NickP333]

Thank you, Michael. I’m eagerly awaiting “The Sidewinder”, “Real McCoy”, as well as “Art’s Delight”, and now I’m even more excited to give em a spin. Thanks again!

[@eduardofarfan9473]

Very informative review, thank you very much for posting it. It made me decide to order the next batch (Speak No Evil & Songs for my Father)

[@paulm944]

Great review! Thank you so much for these comparisons.

[@dburgette7577]

It cannot be overlooked that not only do these sound great, but they are 33.3. Thank you BN.

[@marklatkowski9327]

Great video.Thank you for the “shoot out” information! Very happy to hear.

[@bigedhaaheo]

Thank you for your review, I was debating to purchase the classic series, Now I will be purchasing them thank you.

[@newenglandartiste]

Mine are on the way. I can't wait. Thanks for the review!

[@VinylLiveMusic40]

Good job Michael 👍 Very interesting video, and great choice for Jazz vinyls 🎶🎵❤️🙏

[@joemorgan4740]

Great video I’m hoping to get both of the blue note classics I like the lee Morgan but I’m new to jazz . Kind regards joe

[@adrianluscombe9532]

This is the video of yours, Michael, I have been much anticipating. Very much looked forward to your take & opinions on these records. Mine have been shipped & I am looking forward to listening to them. Thanks for your insights

[@MrLovell1971]

Michael great shoot out I knew the SRX would win on Sidewinder that noise floor is amazing I hate I wasn’t able to get any of the SRX when they came out I was only able to get the Sonny Rollins Vol. 1 which is amazing I’m going to grab the Classic series Sidewinder and McCoy Tyner Real McCoy have a great week Michael . Lovellandrew

[@OlsonCreativeLLC]

Really enjoy your channel. I bought both titles for $17.50 dollars each from Blue Note when they had their big sale before Thanksgiving. Looking forward to listening to them.

[@LisaTedescoVC]

I enjoyed this very much, Michael, and I am so very grateful for the Blue Note Classic pressings. The jackets are much more plain but the media quality is still excellent, especially for the price. I do wish they would provide a better inner sleeve than just plain paper. They could charge an extra 2-3 $/€ for a poly inner sleeve and the price would still be very affordable. I watched another video this morning, JC- The Flip Side - Vinyl Community, he also purchased The Real McCoy and Sidewinder and is very pleased. You take care, Michael. Hope you’re having a great week.

[@Jake-2011-]

It’s better if you buy MF inner sleeve yourself.

[@LisaTedescoVC]

@@Jake-2011- I would still buy my own, I just don't like the idea that the record is in that terrible paper sleeve at all. It's a personal quirk LOL

[@HoomanR17]

Great video..thanks for taking the time to do the comparison.... (side note, the # of youtube ads in relation to length of this video was through the roof)

[@thevinyltruffle]

If the classics sound as beautiful as your voice, then we’re all in for a treat.

[@joerglemann]

Danke, Michael ... so it seems I don’t have to be too sad not being able to get more of the MusicMatters SRX editions 😊

[@MrKarlengel]

Great review, mine are on their way. Good warm up but the ones I’m salivating for are those coming in January. Song for my father and Speak no evil.

[@jonassvensson6129]

Thanks Michael! You have convinced me to buy them. 👍🏼

[@BenHughes3]

Michael - thanks for the comparisons, I bought both and an very happy but I was curious how they compared to the more expensive versions out there. Excellent video as always.

[@jikenj]

Thanks Michael I had to pause your video to go to Amazon just picked up the sidewinder!! a couple weeks ago I picked up the tone poet the cooker by Lee Morgan also of course great video! Happy holidays

[@musiconrecord6724]

Very informative and enjoyable.

[@iconix21]

Much appreciated side by side.....!!!! Looking forward to the next one.....!!!! Bravo.....!!!! 👏👏👏👏 I hope it's both, Horace Silver - Song For My Father - Classic Series LP and Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil - Classic Series LP 👍

[@alex_g_wood]

Fabulous and honest review, thank you.

[@nickh.4722]

Vielen Dank fürs Video. Die beiden Alben sind unterwegs zu mir, habe sie vor dem Anschauen deines Vergleichs bestellt. Da hab ich richtig spekuliert. Freu mich. Danke für die Infos, Grüsse aus Zürich.

[@jazzbumsmike]

Great video as always. My pre-order of The Sidewinder is in the mail. This will be my first copy and I am looking forward to it! Going to check out The Real McCoy on streaming now.

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Thank you Michael

[@RandyforRoyals]

Thank you for all the information. I had preordered The Sidewinder and have not received it yet and I feel very good about it after hearing your review. Take care.

[@vinylfinder33]

I love your videos. Always spot on with recommendations. I really am interested in what sleeves you use. They look amazing. What brand inner and outer sleeves are you using?

[@NotedArchived]

ja ja ja. thank you, ML. so happy to hear the news!

[@AsTheTableTurns]

Awesome! I can't wait for mine to come in. I ordered them along with the McCoy Tyner's, Tender Moments and Donald Byrd's, Byrd In Flight which ship on December 11th. And now I just saw the other newly released Tone Poets for Pre-Order, Lee Morgan's The Rajah and Paul Chamber's, Bass On Top so I Pre-Ordered those.

[@PrettyGreenVinylGuy]

Looking forward to getting mine.

[@roscoejones4515]

Mine will be here this week. I always replace my inners anyway for my brand of choice, so as long as they survive shipping I'm good. Thanks for your informaive videos!

[@colinhathaway9493]

Nice one Michael. Just pre ordered the sidewinder after watching this

[@Jazzeum]

Wonderful review Michael. Made me want to go out and pick them up. Brad

[@MatthewClark1984]

Hi Michael, Another brilliant video! I have just found out can get them on the bluenote site in the UK for £18.99 so really happy :) Great to hear they are sounding great against other audiophile editions and really look forward to listening to them.

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Love your channel so much

[@Michael45RPM]

Thank you :-)

[@seizebreizh]

Hello Michael, thanks for these reviews. Last month I have ordered them at my local record shop. I’m waiting now. My choice is to take them all, even the ones I already have in a casual copy. Take care. Bruno

[@1061shrink1061]

I continue to be hugely impressed with the quality of all the "classics" that I have bought. I've only had one dud, where the record was warped. But otherwise they have been flawless and all sound brilliant. To me they're one of the best bargains in new vinyl.

[@widowmaker88]

Waiting on my third copy of The Sidewinder arriving. Had two from amazon arrive with damaged sleeves. LP Itself is good and sounds amazing. Looking forward to more of these.

[@jbsvinylcassettes8585]

I think that The Real McCoy 45rpm may be worth it...it is such a great album!!!

[@dank.6942]

The Classic Vinyl Series from Blue Note has been nothing short of HUGE. It is the best value in vinyl, bar none...price, quality and musical/cultural significance. ...making the Classic Series, in my opinion, the single most important reissue series in jazz vinyl. I've got 15-20 of them, and none (0) have had any quality issues. I love them. I'm super grateful they put them out.

[@lawrencetomczyk9677]

Great video Michael! I have the same versions as you...minus the new Classics versions. I'll get these as well...the Classics Series will probably be my play copies...which is good!

[@emipls]

I’m just now getting into jazz and it seems I chose the perfect time. I ordered both of these titles and they sound magnificent. To think they were $20 each and all analog cut by Kevin Gray, I can’t believe it. My favorite out of these two is The Real McCoy, especially Search For Peace.

[@tcr02]

You make a lot of great points here, Michael. I’m surprised that the McCoys almost sound the same as the MMJ’s is a double 45. Usually, 45s will always beat the 33s. Excited for the next shootout videos. This is going to be a very interesting series. Cheers!

[@Michael45RPM]

Maybe i did not make t clear enough and was too careful, but the MMJ are the better sounding Versions in my opinion, but the Classic Editions comes very close, and thats great News i think!!

[@leon9021]

45RPM does not always beat 33 automatically. It does not inherently create a better sound, just allows easier tracking. This is a big misconception.

[@Digginbehindthedikes]

I bet most folks who own all these MM editions will say they are the better sounding ones because they paid so much for them. I'd love to see people do a blindfold test to these and try to pick out the better sounding version. That would be a shocker.

[@leon9021]

@@Digginbehindthedikes Why not listen for yourself: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gl-68FxpyEK-eS01vwhsxFMd_HCmApWX I think the MMJ 33 and 45 are pretty close while the BN 80 which should be similar to this sounds worse, less body.

[@Digginbehindthedikes]

@@leon9021 thanks. 2 files sound more or less identical so my guess is that those are the MMs. I'd have to hear this on my system to be able to compare properly. The differences are not huge.

[@PhilippeAubert1854]

About Sidewinder. I have a mono original copy G+ quality. For me it's better than the AP45 that i have as well. The mono has more presence, more volume. i prefer to listen to this even if it" heavily scratched. The presence is so high that i tend to forget the scratch noise

[@andyt1043]

Great review. I've been watching your videos for most of the year & can't believe how quickly you have filled those shelves :) I'm really excited about this series (I have a RVG Sidewinder that will be interesting to compare). Whilst I would love these as Tone Poets, I can't argue with decision to make proper audiophile versions that a broader audience can access. Wouldn't it be great if all £20 albums were of the same quality? It might have been the wine, but I didn't pick up on the 2nd & 3rd place result. How did the classic compare with the AP? Also, don't know if you are aware Joe Harley & Zev Feldman have announced an upcoming 12LP release of the Lee Morgan live at the lighthouse! Maybe you can dig out a 70's shirt for the next review :)

[@hectoralvarez941]

great review...waiting on my copies.... thanks

[@hectoralvarez941]

Just received my two copies. Wow!!

[@livingcoramdeo]

I purchased both, but my Sidewinder was not a good pressing. The first track was full of snap crackle and pop. The rest sounded perfect. I am returning it hoping it was just an anomaly. The Real McCoy was perfect. Thanks for the recommendations.

[@terrytickler]

Mike at the in groove can't tell the difference

[@heribertovalentin1563]

Must pick up my copies....I dis buy some Music Matters 45 directly from them and still some at good prices....$39 dollars and up....there are still some good ones available.....thank you again Micheal for the great videos......Ed...😎

[@thomasandersen1784]

"I didn't hear a difference". There u have it....save the money and buy more stuff ;-)

[@jeremyarcher289]

What kind of outer sleeves are you using? I’ve been using sleeve city ultimate outer 5.0

[@derickvillarino]

hi michael was looking forward to your comparison but couldn't really tell the outcome based on your description. would you mind grading them from 1-10 with 10 being highest just to have an idea how far of the editions are to one another. would be nice not to consider price point but just plain sound quality - MM vs AP vs Classic? look forward thanks and more power to your channel.

[@dsonyay]

Good video. I paid 17.49 USD (each ) through the Blue Note store for these two. 30% off sale. That’s a fantastic deal. They need to get rid if that paper inner sleeve. Both LPs had so much static I could not pull the vinyl out from the sleeve unless I pulled very hard. Next time I will cut the sleeve open first, then put in a better sleeve. BN80 series started with paper..then moved to a paper sleeve w/a nice lining. Why did they go back to paper??? But yes.. the vinyl is outstanding. Especially Sidewinder- it’s an outstanding mastering as well. McCoy Tyner’s album didn’t sound as good as Sidewinder.. maybe the master tape was more worn down. But still a great LP.

[@cspiegs1]

Hi, I just watched your video. I preordered these first 2 recordings from Amazon when they were first announced and received them both on December 4 (and these are still in stock today on Amazon). I just finished listening to The Sidewinder. I noticed a crackling distortion in the last 2 minutes of side 1 (mostly on the trumpet). Have you noticed this? I may just do an exchange and see if I get a better copy the second time around.

[@NextPlayRecords]

Gorgeous! I can't wait to spin my Real McCoy. It is pretty impressive if you say there isn't a noticeable difference from the MMJ 45 RPM. Those are tremendous.

[@Michael45RPM]

There are differences, but the Classics really hold up very well.

[@sebr5277]

great shoutout !! thanks ! i'm so happy with this blue note classic series... Which Plastic protections do you use for your sleeves ? thanks

[@Michael45RPM]

Look here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipymp5ltd5KWrJo

[@martinchupac7164]

...das war wie ein thriller zuschauen,sehen diese video,ich war so geschpand wie gehet das weiter...und zum schlus bin ich ja so glucklich es ist so wie ist,nach maine meinung BN macht sehr gutte arbeit zu bringen diese ,,big guns,, fur leute welche hat nicht so dicke brieftasche...und ich frohe mich schon jezt auf nexte monat auf ihre nexte dramatische video😁 einfach i mag das,sehr gutt der Herr! Gruss!

[@eduenez1]

Waiting on my copies. Sorry to get off topic but where did you get your curtains? I really love them

[@Michael45RPM]

Pierre Frey in Paris

[@Markymarkvinylnut]

I was thinking the same!

[@Jake-2011-]

I ordered both from Amazon at a decent price before they were sold out..

[@vinylrulesok8470]

I like Amazons no quibble process for any records which are less than perfect. I ordered Speak No Evil from Blue Note and there was a scratch on side one which lasted a minute. They asked me to send the, a picture of the scratch and a few days later agreed to send me a replacement. Amazon were much quicker, when a recent Lp I’d ordered arrived and was scratched they refunded me straight away

[@nathanverni9143]

Any word on what’s coming for Tone Poets past January?

[@brendanoreilly2014]

Wonderful videos, thanks. I could never afford the Music Matters (even if they were available). Well jell I am!

[@DirkJensen]

It looks like they have fulfilled the German orders first (closer to the factory!). Still haven't seen any movement on my US pre-order. Thanks for the review!

[@pl566]

My sidewinder has shipped but not TRM even though I ordered them at the same time.

[@DirkJensen]

@@pl566 Did you order them in the US? I ordered mine from Arizona.

[@pl566]

@@DirkJensen Yep. Direct from BN to Oklahoma. Where the wind comes whistling down the plains!

[@newenglandartiste]

Same here. I'm waiting on my order as well here in the U.S. Can't wait to hear them.

[@OlsonCreativeLLC]

I'm still waiting on mine, bought directly from blue Note during the big sale

[@nephrodoc4120]

What outer sleeves do you use on your gate folds?

[@lucillechilds9767]

Hello, I have been wanting to ask you I have the BN75 of The Sidewinder is that digital or done by master tape??

[@Michael45RPM]

Probably digital, and i do not have it

[@francoisdunord7169]

Hallo michael, i have both records, the classic series, and i am glad they sound very good, even compared to the expencive records, grt 🇳🇱

[@florianpasch2495]

Just got the info Kind of Blue is restocked or back in print on MOFI

[@ChristopherB72]

Thanks Michael. Although my copies were perfect, others complained about nonfill. Did you have any issues with your copies ?

[@jamesbrunnette4895]

Do you own any “Pablo” label recordings. Wonderful pressings!

[@marcocosta9629]

Hi. I was just curious what you plan on doing with your extra copies of both albums. Will you be keeping them all or will you sell them to get some money back and use that money and buy other albums you don’t currently have in your collection? I find for me that I end up selling my inferior sounding double copies and use the money to purchase some new additions to my collection. Interested in your thoughts.

[@Michael45RPM]

I have not find a solution for my doubles, i probably just keep them

[@boogiewoogie9770]

The analogue productions cover of Sidewinder looks like a full colour copy of an original. So the photo is darker with less shadow detail but is sepia rather than B&W The original pressing has a slightly sepia and quite dark image. I have an original mono issue as reference.

[@twraven1]

And the inexpensive BN editions are not transferred from digital files resulting in the good pricing?

[@grahamlester1386]

Another great from Michael, So where do I stand on this, I now have the Classic Sidewinder, I also have 2 original NY pressings, would I pay $300.00 for the AP 45rpm issue? the answer is NO! I am not a person who lies awake worrying if I have the best pressing of a record, I am not into record flipper mega bucks re-issues, for me just enjoy a great pressing of a great record and be happy. The same with HiFi, I replied on Michaels "my system" post about a great system i had heard that included Magico M6 at £200.000.00 per pair, they have now introduced the M9 at £850.000.00 per pair, Where does it all end and when are we ever satisfied?

[@joeyschreiner]

😎

[@vinylrulesok8470]

Blue Note should get a pat on the back for releasing AAA titles of such quality at such a great price. The Music Matters stuff is lovely and beautifully presented but way way way too expensive

[@Alred1963]

My McCoy copy was badly pressed , off center and side B was full of pops and clicks but my sidewinder copy was perfect with no surface noise whatsoever . Better to buy from Amazon if you have prime for the easy return, no questions asked.

[@deshawntyson8370]

I know Im randomly asking but does any of you know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I somehow forgot my account password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me!

[@judsondevon1582]

@Deshawn Tyson instablaster =)

[@deshawntyson8370]

@Judson Devon Thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im in the hacking process now. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@deshawntyson8370]

@Judson Devon It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thank you so much you saved my ass !

[@judsondevon1582]

@Deshawn Tyson No problem xD

[@ny8851]

I’ve just ordered $1000 of Tone Poet vinyl. I blame you !!! 😉

[@whitey7998]

I’m not far behind you

[@ny8851]

@@whitey7998 I think a heroin habit might be a cheaper addiction 😕

[@ny8851]

@@mazzysmusic I’ll take your word for it Mazzy 😉

[@vinylrichie007]

I did watch this all the way through but 5 ads was a bit much. Actually not a bit but too much.

[@rossano.balloco]

Install AdBlocker for KZbin extension on your browser: definitely a game changer!

[@billkeon880]

I would be interested in your view of comparing the 75th anniversary Blue Notes with the recent 80th. I have a bunch of 75th and want to know if the 80th new ones are better.....

[@Michael45RPM]

I dont have any 75 i heard that they are really bad.....

[@kuglepen64]

How does the these new pressings compare to the Blue Note 80th series?

[@Michael45RPM]

I would say: same

[@mymixture965]

Have them too, I like them and will get them all, even if I have a lot of them already, I like to compare pressings and the price is just right. I like the covers, I always hated the gatefold tone poet covers (I have all tone poets) because they need to much space, like a double album. If you would ask me, I would like the covers to be like the old ones, tip on with a heavy cardboard, some tone poets are like this, I know.

[@bassbymichele]

I think the same. I wish they made tip-on jackets for this new series.

[@newenglandartiste]

I agree. It's nice to have the photos but I could live without them. They could cut down on materials and charge less like the price of the 80 series or now called classic series.

[@mymixture965]

@@newenglandartiste You answer surprised me, I thought I am alone with my opinion. So I am not the weird, good:-)

[@marinarabkin2055]

Hi Mike. Can you tell me how to identify blue note classic series records? I have many BN records (old and new). How do I know if they are 80 series or classic? Thank You

[@Michael45RPM]

easiest look at thy Sticker

[@florianpasch2495]

So its true, they did not continue the poly lined inner sleeves from the 80th series.

[@DirkJensen]

I just received two 80th Anniversary albums straight from Blue Note (so, new stock I assume) one had poly-lined paper sleeve and the other did not.

[@jazzmetalaudiophile]

@@DirkJensen as far as I remember they switched to poly sleeves midway the series. Maybe Michael can enlighten us.

[@Lux9103]

@@UCc1G80Jjz1vkJKVqUy2zmoQ Hey Michael, just wondered where you sourced those outer sleeves from, thanks

[@Michael45RPM]

Look here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipymp5ltd5KWrJo

[@Lux9103]

@@Michael45RPM Thank You

[@mindopenband]

Am I the only one that got a copy with a lot of noise and scratches? It even made the needle jump. $25 down the drain.

[@danielfl.9347]

I wonder if you come from Germany perhaps?

[@Michael45RPM]

Sure!

[@vinylrichie007]

If they sound good I could really care less about the gatefold.

[@markh.9822]

I don't care about the gatefold. In fact I like seeing the single sleeve most times, it's more true to the original and takes up less space on the shelf. I wish it were a more durable paste on cover but overall it's just a drop in the bucket. Sound is #1, especially at that price.

[@whitey7998]

I would normally agree, but the gatefold presentation is fantastic.

[@georgedoughly8682]

They couldn’t provide poly lined inner sleeves? The Cheapskates 🙄😡

[@ralex3697]

They are nice, but they are not MM, dumbed down version. I will buy them primarily because I can’t afford Music Matters and I unfortunately was not building a jazz collection when MM’s were initially released. Enjoying jazz now, but I’ve always preferred rocking out. My dad was a professional jazz musician, in which case I was always surrounded by jazz, just my tastes were too immature to appreciate its beauty. We still don’t have these yet here in Canada, so slow to get them. How are your Whippets doing ? Freidrich and Karl.

[@Michael45RPM]

Thanks for asking they are great.. just about to go to a racing track with them :-)

[@jasonlsimmons]

I was glad to get The Real McCoy, but a little disappointed. I don't think the MusicMattersJazz releases have anything to worry about...they are still the definitive versions.

[@NextPlayRecords]

You did a shootout too Jason?

[@florianpasch2495]

Maybe the srx versions. But the normal vinyl pressing might get in trouble if bluenote ever decides to give their classic series a tone poet cover update

[@jasonlsimmons]

@@NextPlayRecords No. I never got the MM 45 of the Real McCoy. But comparing it to the presentation of my other MM (I have a lot), I would say this new classic series is lacking in the covers and the crappy paper sleeve that I just rip open. I do think the Tone Poets are at the level of MM.

[@NextPlayRecords]

@@jasonlsimmons ok cool. I have a good amount of MMJ as well. I’m fine with this value at $20 tho for sure. Now that MMJs are selling out, those days of $50 2LPs are over unfortunately.

[@gonzaljevic]

First

[@jackfalco5351]

buy a mono cartdrige and buy vg originals. you would be better off.

[@torres870rem]

His slow voice is Killing me.