Visit and Interview with Fred Thomas, Sam Records (Paris - JAN 2024)

[@itsvladzino3246]

Heath brothers in Paris is a superb release

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Yes - that is a fine release too. I enjoy both 🙂 Almost all of Sam's releases are great not only technically but also musically.

[@albertogonzalez-ot1bz]

In my opinion the man in the other KZbin Channel is a case of psychoacoustic. I mean, he found out about the digital step thing so I guess his listening (and not his hearing ) has changed. Great video. Love every reissue that Sam Record's has done. Thank you.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Yes - probably a correct diagnosis. And I always become alert when someone organize their records after which label released them... Meaning: The label is more important than the artist... Thanks for your comment.

[@xentakis]

​@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner I definitely agree with you guys about the guy in the other KZbin channel (if he ever did blind, level-matched shootouts I would be very curious about the results). But your comment made me think of a point: I would distinguish between organizing by the *original* label vs. organizing by *reissue* label. I'm actually impressed by folks like the Jazz Shepherd who have thousands of jazz records and organize separately by Blue Note, Verve, Prestige, Bethlehem, etc. That requires an almost encyclopedic knowledge just to find the record you want to listen to!

[@thomashensing4093]

Great interview of a great guy. But again, with that surname, what can you expect 😉 Looking forward to see what albums you bought … seems like it was quite a lot, and more than planned … since when we coincidentally bumped into each other at Cph airport luggage belt late Saturday evening at you return from Paris (and mine from Salzburg) you unexpectedly had been asked to check in you very heavy cabin suitcase 😂😂 PS: I notice that the voice sound level delta in the video for when at home in your hifi studio vs when you and Fred speak is approx. 5,9dB 😂

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

🙃

[@jazzbumsmike]

Wonderful! Looking forward to that Mal Waldron! Thanks for sharing, Claus!

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks Mike. I remember that Fred mentioned the Mal Waldron release already first time I interviewed him in May 2022. Good it seem to come soon 👍

[@BeenieSpooner]

Thanks for doing the interviews with Fred Thomas. Really nice to see and hear the man behind Sam Records. If you happen to go to Paris for a another interview with Fred, I'd be curious to know, how he chooses which records to issue. :-)

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks - yes that would be interesting to know too. I'll remember to next time. I don't know when I'll go to Paris / Sam Records again though - but I will 🙂🗼

[@drazenbabich]

Great video, thanks for that. Keen to know what Sam records did you leave how shop with? It must have been a feeling like a kid in a candy shop ;-)

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks 🙂 Yes - but a little expensive candy shop 😉. Sam's releases are not very expensive - except for the Artisans (they are € 100,- each!!!). I have bought almost all the Sam releases when they were released, so I didn't buy any when visiting Fred his time - but bought some others (new and used). I plan to make a video of my purchases on my Paris visit - had 25 jazz records in the bag on my way home 😁.

[@Markymarkvinylnut]

Many thanks, great to see Fred again. Optimal are hit and miss so complelty understand the need to move pressing plants for a boutique label.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks Mark. Yes - Fred is a really nice guy. Always worth a visit. This time I also bought some of the used records he has for sale - fair prices and great condition. I've also bought the Yusef Lateef you have - looking forward to listen to it. PS: Maybe you should put a little more light in front of you so it's easier to see the covers you show (just a suggestion 🙂)

[@HiViNewsByRegina111]

So nice to see Fred in person. I have almost all Sam releases. Thank you from Germany

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks Regina - Though he’s busy, Fred is such a nice person to talk to 👍

[@HiViNewsByRegina111]

@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner A few days ago I made a video unboxing my latest 4 records sent from Fred, but the video is in German.

[@andysmusicden]

Thanks a lot for this interview! My favourite reissue label.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks - yes all respect to Fred. He's like a - friendly - one man music army 😊

[@papabear1417]

Thank you. Quality over quantity. Chapeau Captain.

[@danijelsan81]

That was great. Thanks for doing this.

[@razorback-mark]

CP, great interview, Sam’s is one of my favorite record companies. I just got the Sahib a few weeks ago along with the two new artisans and they all were fantastic! Make sure to get back to him soon to break the announcement of the new artisans! Take care!

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks 🙂 Yes - it hard not to respect and like/love what Fred Thomas is doing. I've got almost all of the available releases (The Barney Wilen Quintet - Guilde du Jazz is however a little to much "out there" for my taste...). I'll love to visit him again soon - but unfortunately I can't make a trip to Paris every 2.nd month 😉

[@coolcicada]

Thanks for sharing. It is nice to see him and wow, being able to listen to the tape is really cool! I hope you share what records you found in Paris.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks 👍 Yes - that tape sounded terrific (even if I didn’t know the system/speakers in the shop, I could tell it was up there). Plan/hope to make a “Vinyl shopping in Paris” next week 😊

[@ndrsnvrz]

Thanks for the video… nice to have information from the person that actually worked to bring us this record…

[@JazzBums]

Great chat with Fred. Excited to hear more about that Mal Waldron release!

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks! And let's hope Fred's plans hold up, so we'll have the release before this Summer.

[@analoguecity3454]

New subscriber, great stuff!🎉

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks - and Thanks 😊

[@analoguecity3454]

Welcome- and welcome 😊​@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner

[@trevorbartram5473]

I listened to Danish on YT & I'm impressed, it has a propulsive fast paced presentation that I enjoyed. An album with a similar, even cooler vibe is the Randy Weston Trio "Jazz A La Bohemia" with Cecil Payne on baritone sax & Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass. Unfortunately not the greatest recording, even for 1956, but it has a unique atmosphere that shines thru!

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks for the hint, Trevor. I'll check the Randy Weston out - hope it's not to "archival". I find that I tend not to play the ones I have where it sound the musicians are playing "inside a shoo box" - even if the music itself is good. Maybe you could say how this one sounds "shoo box"-wise?

[@trevorbartram5473]

Well, considering the engineer was Ray Fowler, whose later recordings are superb, the equipment used for Bohemia must have been poor. Or the tapes were bad. If they ever find better tapes it would make a great re-release. Luv early Randy Weston!

[@jeffreywoodke]

Excellent, that was rad! Thanks!

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks for your comment - always makes me glad when viewers find my smalle home-made videos useful 🙂