Suggestions for Audio Fidelity Multichannel SACD Releases

[quicksrt]

It sucks to hear about all of these great albums being quad-blocked by these other labels who show no interest in saving the old quad mixes. WTF?

It's a shame AF could not just license the surround and release a surround only disc, but I doubt that would be cost effective for them and they operate on very small margins to begin with I'm sure. They'd probably have to charge $50 retail a disc and then we'd all be bitching about the price!

Yes, this roll-out of quad on SACD is a couple years later than it should have been. Now if they started with "A Space in Time" just to test the waters things would have been further along right about now.

There really is a lot of politics involved in these releases and the format. Many potential risks, and bumps in the road. Look how many decades it took to get us where we are now.

If the request for a quad title is presented as a sure fire hit, then the label can question why they have not considered it themselves, and thus decline the request thinking it might be their own future reissue. The person in catalog dev could worry about their missed opportunity. Insecurity runs rampant in the record business at this time.

I think that this series is about to turn a corner, as I mentioned previously, once AF have issued 25 titles of A-List artists, and all have received favorable reviews and were not commercial duds, then the format gets more of the respect it deserves. To many this whole thing is still in beta. LOL.

 

[quicksrt]

Quick Qn. please, are Universal Quads unavailable because the 4-Channel master tapes are
missing from their vaults (and/or in poor shape) or is it since they won't license them to AF for use on Surround SACD?

There are many issues involved with artists contracts, available tapes, and Uni who have previously had a moratorium on outside licensing of their masters because they felt that the whole reason for their buy up of other labels was the exploitation of those assets rather then licensing them out to others.

The issue of tapes being lost of damaged is the least of it, and likely not a big part of the difficultly. The Eric Clapton 461 Ocean, and One in Every Crowd quad tapes were just issued not long ago. The Jethro Tull original quad tapes were remastered and issued not long ago. See the pattern here, the Uni group is into the potential of having their own releases of everything.

Looks to me like the "moratorium" is still in place with the exception of single songs licensed out to Rhino or Time-Life, and those kinds of things. Or albums which they consider pretty much "flat-lined" in the marketplace.

Universal it looks like to me is just being difficult in this area.

 

[milt]

Thank you for the info and status update.

Have you and/or Audio Fidelity made enquiries with Warner as to the availability of the unreleased 5.1 Elliot Scheiner remix of The Doobie Brothers' "Minute By Minute" album?

That'd be great on Surround SACD..

Yes it would.
Especially since my AF cd of that release was in my Oppo player when it got stolen a couple of years ago.

 

[cupboy]

If AF wants to start re-releasing their previously stereo-only titles they could start with Billion Dollar Babies. And how about that one Grand Funk title that they actually had the quad master for (and did nothing with it, but send it back).

 

[fredblue]

There are many issues involved with artists contracts, available tapes, and Uni who have previously had a moratorium on outside licensing of their masters because they felt that the whole reason for their buy up of other labels was the exploitation of those assets rather then licensing them out to others.

The issue of tapes being lost of damaged is the least of it, and likely not a big part of the difficultly. The Eric Clapton 461 Ocean, and One in Every Crowd quad tapes were just issued not long ago. The Jethro Tull original quad tapes were remastered and issued not long ago. See the pattern here, the Uni group is into the potential of having their own releases of everything.

Looks to me like the "moratorium" is still in place with the exception of single songs licensed out to Rhino or Time-Life, and those kinds of things. Or labums which they consider pretty much "flat-lined" in the marketplace.

Universal it looks like to me is just being difficult in this area.

It's rather sad (and maddening) really since Universal were seemingly quite willing to license their music (old Quads, new 5.1's, you mame it) to Brad Miller for those DTS CDs..

- Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Blvd QUAD (Polydor),
- Eric Clapton - There's One In Every Crowd QUAD (Polydor),
- Allman Brothers - @ Filmore QUAD (Polydor),
- Bachman Turner Overdrive - Not Fragile QUAD (Mercury),
- Ohio Players - Honey QUAD (Mercury),
- Ohio Players - Fire QUAD (Mercury),
- Lyle Lovett - Joshua Judges Ruth (MCA),
- Vince Gill - High Lonesome Sound (MCA)
- Steely Dan - Gaucho (MCA),
- Reba McEntire - If You See Him (MCA),
- Olivia Newton John - Back With A Heart (MCA),
- Olivia Newton John - One Woman's Live Journey (MCA),
- George Strait - One Step At A Time (MCA),
- Trisha Yearwood - Where Your Road Leads (MCA),
- The Mavericks - Trampoline (MCA),
- The Police - Every Breath You Take Hits Comp (A&M),
- Sting - Brand New Day (A&M),
- Sting - Nothing Like The Sun (A&M),
- Sting - Ten Summoner's Tales (A&M),
- Sheryl Crow - Globe Sessions (A&M),
- The Moody Blues - Days Of Future Passed QUAD (Decca),
- The Moody Blues - Seventh Sojourn QUAD (Decca),
- Marvin Gaye - Forever Yours Hits Comp (Motown),
- Boyz II Men - II (Motown),
- Diana Krall - Love Scenes (Impulse),
- Don Henley - The End Of Innocence (Geffen)..

.. but as we know everything changed dramatically when DVD-A and SACD took over.. Universal chose not to license anything out anymore and Sony likewise so they could "focus" (ha!) on their SACD caper.. and we all know how that worked out.. it's been that way ever since, the lumbering major labels thinking they can do the Surround/Hi-Res thing better than the specialist labels.. which they clearly can't.. well the tide is turning now with Audio Fidelity..!

I really hope Audio Fidelity could work something out with Universal (some division of Universal MUST have old Quad and 5.1 titles they have no interest in reissuing ever..!?).. and Warner too for the long term.. Audio Fidelity have achieved something of a miracle with Sony.. Fingers crossed they can do likewise with Universal!

 

[quicksrt]

It's rather sad (and maddening) really since Universal were seemingly quite willing to license their music (old Quads, new 5.1's, you mame it) to Brad Miller for those DTS CDs..

- Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Blvd QUAD (Polydor),
- Eric Clapton - There's One In Every Crowd QUAD (Polydor),
- Allman Brothers - @ Filmore QUAD (Polydor),
- Bachman Turner Overdrive - Not Fragile QUAD (Mercury),
- Ohio Players - Honey QUAD (Mercury),
- Ohio Players - Fire QUAD (Mercury),
- Lyle Lovett - Joshua Judges Ruth (MCA),
- Vince Gill - High Lonesome Sound (MCA)
- Steely Dan - Gaucho (MCA),
- Reba McEntire - If You See Him (MCA),
- Olivia Newton John - Back With A Heart (MCA),
- Olivia Newton John - One Woman's Live Journey (MCA),
- George Strait - One Step At A Time (MCA),
- Trisha Yearwood - Where Your Road Leads (MCA),
- The Mavericks - Trampoline (MCA),
- The Police - Every Breath You Take Hits Comp (A&M),
- Sting - Brand New Day (A&M),
- Sting - Nothing Like The Sun (A&M),
- Sting - Ten Summoner's Tales (A&M),
- Sheryl Crow - Globe Sessions (A&M),
- The Moody Blues - Days Of Future Passed QUAD (Decca),
- The Moody Blues - Seventh Sojourn QUAD (Decca),
- Marvin Gaye - Forever Yours Hits Comp (Motown),
- Boyz II Men - II (Motown),
- Diana Krall - Love Scenes (Impulse),
- Don Henley - The End Of Innocence (Geffen)..

.. but as we know everything changed dramatically when DVD-A and SACD took over.. Universal chose not to license anything out anymore and Sony likewise so they could "focus" (ha!) on their SACD caper.. and we all know how that worked out.. it's been that way ever since, the lumbering major labels thinking they can do the Surround/Hi-Res thing better than the specialist labels.. which they clearly can't.. well the tide is turning now with Audio Fidelity..!

I really hope Audio Fidelity could work something out with Universal (some division of Universal MUST have old Quad and 5.1 titles they have no interest in reissuing ever..!?).. and Warner too for the long term.. Audio Fidelity have achieved something of a miracle with Sony.. Fingers crossed they can do likewise with Universal!

I sympathize and feel the same. But it should be noted that nearly half of the titles you have listed were not under Uni control when Miller did the DTS releases of them. Polygram had Mercury, Moody Blues, and Allman titles, and had not yet even merged with A&M which had the Sting titles.

Universal had a very rough ride to the top of the heap. They invested and spent and then spent some more on music catalogs often thinking they were getting the deal of the century only to see their sales stagnate, and cash flow sink to new lows. Catalog sales sank, new artists failed to break, and it's a bad scene. I don't blame them for wanting to try and do their own thing with their assets. However, the tapes are there for the most part. EMI, Mercury, Motown, etc. Quad tapes from all these labels do not just all disappear suddenly.

 

[quicksrt]

What does everyone think of Alice Cooper's - Muscle of Love? This seems to me like such a logical release to issue with a Quad layer. It's not the best album from the band, but it is a good album, and internationally it would fly outta here like a hot Japanese import spreads around the globe. I think the international market would soak it up so fast it's not funny. If they gave it a reproduction cardboard mini album jacket (exactly like original with book cover included) it would be like printing $20 bills.

I happen to think it has some very strong material. But I also respect others' opinions who might not agree.

Plus it's the last album AF need to do to close up that artists' albums.

 

[fredblue]

I sympathize and feel the same. But it should be noted that nearly half of the titles you have listed were not under Uni control when Miller did the DTS releases of them. Polygram had Mercury, Moody Blues, and Allman titles, and had not yet even merged with A&M which had the Sting titles.

Universal had a very rough ride to the top of the heap. They invested and spent and then spent some more on music catalogs often thinking they were getting the deal of the century only to see their sales stagnate, and cash flow sink to new lows. Catalog sales sank, new artists failed to break, and it's a bad scene. I don't blame them for wanting to try and do their own thing with their assets. However, the tapes are there for the most part. EMI, Mercury, Motown, etc. Quad tapes from all these labels do not just all disappear suddenly.

Seagram acquired A&M in 1998 and Polygram in 1999.

A&M and Polygram were both merged by Seagram into Universal Music Group in 1999.

When did these DTS CDs come out again?

I note the reissues of the Moody Blues, Clapton, Allman Brothers (etc) Quad>DTS CDs I listed (the reissues easily identifiable by having been packaged in the oversized super jewel plus DVD-A style cases) are dated (C) (P) DTS 2001, which would suggest Universal were still happy to keep those licensing arrangements with DTS in place in 2001.

"In 1998, PolyGram was bought by Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group, which was formed in 1996 as the successor to MCA Music Entertainment Group, of which MCA Records had been the flagship. A&M was subsequently merged into Universal Music Group's then newly formed Interscope Geffen A&M label group."

 

[cupboy]

Seagram acquired A&M in 1998 and Polygram in 1999.

A&M and Polygram were both merged by Seagram into Universal Music Group in 1999.

When did these DTS CDs come out again?

I note the reissues of the Moody Blues, Clapton, Allman Brothers (etc) Quad>DTS CDs I listed (the reissues easily identifiable by having been packaged in the oversized super jewel plus DVD-A style cases) are dated (C) (P) DTS 2001, which would suggest Universal were still happy to keep those licensing arrangements with DTS in place in 2001.

"In 1998, PolyGram was bought by Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group, which was formed in 1996 as the successor to MCA Music Entertainment Group, of which MCA Records had been the flagship. A&M was subsequently merged into Universal Music Group's then newly formed Interscope Geffen A&M label group."

1997

 

[GOS]

Ah, so much Quad music to covet......

 

[edisonbaggins]

Any possibility of New York Voices Sing the Songs of Paul Simon? That's pretty much a desert island disc for me...

 

[bmoura]

Ah, so much Quad music to covet......

True. Many, many possibilities....

 

[fizzywiggs41]

The pace of quad releases from A F is just fine with me.I suppose if I had a bigger bank roll I would want it sped up, but considering all the other "upcoming surround releases"for this year my purchases have to be carefully considered, and prioritized.

I'm quite certain A.F. will continue to surprise us with their quad issues and the best is yet to come.

Soon or later we should expect stellar quad reissues
announced from the WEA vaults, as well as UMe's vaults and of course the continued quads from SONY/RCA.

So as Frank Zappa said "save your money don't go to the show!"



Thanks AF, fizzy

 

[Ninecats]

Agreed fizzywiggs41, I like the current pace of releases as well. Not only due to the economical factor but also the fact that I want the release to "sink in", ie having time to listen to it when I have quality time for myself (doesn't happen all too often with wife and kids , leave it for some days, coming back to it etc.

 

[fredblue]

Lots of good suggestions there (echoing some of the ones I proposed on page 1) but I think Miles Davis is probably off the table. MFSL seems to have his catalog locked up like Chinese fingercuffs - they put out Bitches Brew on (stereo-only) SACD just last year.

I'd like to see more (non-greatest hits) Guess Who albums too. I haven't heard all of their quad mixes, but the ones I have heard (Canned Wheat and #10) are really good, and those were just Q8's.

RCA also has a couple of great Buddy Rich albums (A Different Drummer and Live In London) that have quad mixes, but I don't know if they fit in with Audio Fidelity's style or not. For what it's worth, I've turned a couple of friends who only listen to rock and roll on to Buddy Rich and they love his stuff now. One friend, who's a massive fan of the Jimi Hendrix Experience told me that he felt like Rich's drumming was the first time he'd heard Mitch Mitchell's (his favourite drummer) playing bettered.

RCA also has a few soul/R&B bands like The Nite-Liters, The Hues Corporation, The Friends Of Distinction, The Main Ingredient, and The New Birth all with quad mixes but I'm not sure how big the market for that kind of stuff would be.

Has the Jefferson Airplane/Starship/Hot Tuna stuff been mentioned yet? Some of the earlier Airplane quad mixes are a bit ropey, but I absolutely love the Jefferson Starship album called Dragon Fly.

The Roar Of '74 is a great mix and album! How about the Quad of that one, AF?

 

[steelydave]

Roar Of '74 was on Groove Merchant, not RCA unfortunately.

I'm starting to think the Isley's 'Heat Is On' was never released. I've been monitoring quad auctions on eBay since about 1998 and I've never seen a copy of either the Q8 or the SQ LP, whereas I've seen at least 10 copies of the Q8 of Go For Your Guns in that timeframe. The only place I've seen the quad versions of 'Heat Is On' is from Mark Anderson's (amazing) quad lists, and from sites that have derived their information from his research. There are other sites like this which list all the Isleys releases (including quad) but omit the quad release of Heat Is On.

 

[fredblue]

Roar Of '74 was on Groove Merchant, not RCA unfortunately.

I'm starting to think the Isley's 'Heat Is On' was never released. I've been monitoring quad auctions on eBay since about 1998 and I've never seen a copy of either the Q8 or the SQ LP, whereas I've seen at least 10 copies of the Q8 of Go For Your Guns in that timeframe. The only place I've seen the quad versions of 'Heat Is On' is from Mark Anderson's (amazing) quad lists, and from sites that have derived their information from his research. There are other sites like this which list all the Isleys releases (including quad) but omit the quad release of Heat Is On.

Oh! Well.. at least the reel of Roar of 74 is out there..

I guess I should stop looking for Heat then..

If you ever see an SQ LP of Go For Your Guns please grab it! I'll buy it off you when you're done with it!

 

[leahypc]

It's part of Audio Fidelity's "Let's Go To The Movies" releases due out on November 27, 2015.
This also includes a Vinyl LP edition of the soundtrack from the movie "Thief" with music by Tangerine Dream.

View attachment 21889

Is there any thread yet for "Colors of The Day" and "Sittin' In"?

 

[bmoura]

The Loggins & Messina Multichannel SACD thread here noted that the Quad Tapes for the L&M albums other than Loggins & Messina have not been located by Sony Music.
So Sittin' In would have to be a Hybrid Stereo SACD if it were released at this point. The search for the Quad Tapes continues....

On Colors of the Day, I agree. Those Quad Tapes would make a fine Multichannel SACD.
I believe it's been suggested earlier in this thread.

 

[leahypc]

The Loggins & Messina Multichannel SACD thread here noted that the Quad Tapes for the L&M albums other than Loggins & Messina have not been located by Sony Music.
So Sittin' In would have to be a Hybrid Stereo SACD at this point. The search for the Quad Tapes continues....

On Colors of the Day, I agree. Those Quad Tapes would make a fine Multichannel SACD.
I believe it's been suggested earlier in this thread.

I was referring to the listings on Amazon that show their pending release on Audio Fidelity in December. Sorry that I didn't specify that earlier.