Search - Jaco Pastorius :: Jaco Pastorius

THIS CD NOW SUPERCEDED BY 2007 JAPAN DSD REMASTER

BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 09/29/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In May of 2007, a new DSD remastered Japan mini-sleeve edition of this fabulous album was released (also incorporating something called HQD "High Quality Disc", "silver vapor manufacturing", whatever THAT means).



The new DSD edition supplants this 2000 remaster as the best audio version currently available.



Curiously, however, Sony Japan chose not to include the bonus tracks, nor the great booklet, of the 2000 edition.



However, the audio is a notch above the 2000 remaster. So, if you're looking for the best sounding version of this album, the new 2007 remaster is the way to go.



Link to the 2007 DSD remaster of Jaco Pastorius



WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?



Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.



Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.



Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.



Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.



All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs."

Jaco y Kuato

Shyam Ananda | Portland, OR | 06/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"a great man named Kuato once said: "Open your mind". This Album will do just that, especially for bass players. This remains one of my personal favorites. Please disregard any preconcieved notions you may have about Jaco and listen to the music, its solid. Buy this album and Bright Size Life, JACO LIVES!!!"

Well-rounded, world-music Jaco

Anthony Cooper | Louisville, KY United States | 08/19/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jaco opens his self-titled disc with a shot across the bow of all bassists and bass fans. His "Donna Lee" (with Don Alias on percussion) solo is the most famous song on this disc. The soul vocal song "Come On, Come Over", seems out of place on this disc. It's fine, but doesn't really fit in. "Continuum" is a bass-led ballad showing off Jaco's tone and command of the fretless bass. "Kuru/Speak Like A Child" is an upbeat song with good solos, particularily Herbie Hancock. The problem with this disc is that the lineup changes from song to song, so it's hard to keep track of who the soloist is on any track. Still, Jaco got some topnotch players. "Portrait Of Tracy" is another bass-led ballad, this time showing off Jaco's harmonics. "Opus Pocus" is slower-paced and the steel drums give it some world flavor. "Okonkole y Trompa" sounds very Joe Zawinul-ish, it has running-in-place rhythm with a slow melody line. "Cha-Cha" is fast-paced jam. "Forgotten Love" is strings-based and has Jaco on piano.



This is a very appealing album, with some very good songs. What takes the star away is its disjointed feel - it doesn't feel all of a piece. I prefer it to "Word Of Mouth", which is more consistant, but it isn't as good. Bass fans will love it, but this appeals to all jazz fans."