Collecting Blue Note Jazz


I have decide to start building up a collection of Blue Note Jazz LPs, of which I have very few. What is the best way to go on what can be a sizeable investment. I am willing to spend for great music/sound quality, but cost is a factor, especially when originals are so expensive. I see many options, of which standouts include:
1. New Music Matters 45 RPM reissues.
2. Original Pressings ($$$)
3. Affordable but relatively early reissues (e.g. Blue Label, Liberty Pressings..maybe from the 70's or even early 1980s)
4. Just buy SACDs, since the LPs will not sound that great anyway.
The website www.dccblowout.com touts hot stampers. As I understand it, this site recommends shunning recent reissues and buying perhaps five or more original LPs or reissues (e.g. Blue Label) and keep the best sounding of the lot, while selling the rest. I've noticed that none of the Blue Note LPs I have so far offer sound quality on par with my LPs by the Contemporary Records label. Any recommendations? I have a pretty decent system for both LP and digital. Any advice would be much appreciated - Mark
mcmprov
As always, note that those who dismiss hot stampers are those same individuals who have never heard one. You can always argue that they are overpriced but not if you haven't tried one. I like those rationalizations; it helps keep the hot stamper prices down.
"Keeping the hot stamper prices down". Isn't that a bit of an oxymoronic statement?

Seems I missed this thread completely as I was away for a few days around New Years (ironically, listening to Donald Harrison, who used to play with Art Blakey, at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago).

My advice with respect to Blue Notes would be to adopt a "two pronged" strategy that would involve purchasing re-issues such as the Kings and Music Matters with titles that fetch outrageous prices with respect to originals (when I say originals I'm talking Lexington, West 63rd or New York, New York addresses) and then either seeking out originals (if you have the stomach and $$ for it) or Liberty or solid blue label Blue Note re-issues of more obscure titles that might be of interest.

Originals can be very pricey, and that is if you happen on to one that is in good shape. Factor in that you might have to buy 3 or 4 or more copies to get a great one and you are looking at a lot of money. A King for $25-$50 or a Music Matters for $50-$60 can look pretty cheap.

The Kings IMO sound very close to originals as someone else has posted above. The Music Matters series also sound very good, but they definitely sound different than the Kings or originals. I find that the MM series sounds particularly good with respect to high frequencies (more natural and realistic than original Blue Notes which do, by the way, sound a bit more aggressive and less natural-maybe "relaxed" is a better word-than their Contemporary competitors from the same era, at least on my system) and they are smoother, definitely more "relaxed". The Kings, originals and even Liberty/solid blue label re-issues in many cases (at least with my ears and my system) do certain things very well compared to the Music Matters; among them are front to back "depth" in terms of imaging, separation and deliniation of instruments and a subjective "drive" or PRAT thing with the music. When it gets right down to it, I can live happily and enjoy either product; ultimately, for me, it becomes a value for $$ decision.

But I wouldn't sell the Liberty's or solid blue label Blue Note re-issues short. For $10-$20 in mint condition they represent excellent value and probably get you 80-90% there compared to the original, King or MM.
after over 40 years in the biz,and 50 years as a collector, i've never bumped into a hot stamper. i have however bought 2 identical records which 'over time' did sound different(one better than the other). 'time' doesn't treat all records equally.
Jaybo,
Haven't you been able to find some LPs with extraordinary fidelity? I only have about 700 LPs or so, and I certainly have some with fantastic, standout sound quality. If this is the case with you, why not allow for the possibility that your great sounding records could be hot stampers? Specifically, I tried getting multiple copies of Dionne Warwick Scepter LPs and Joan Armatrading and found some with better sound quality (irrespective of ticks and pops). Sticking with the topic of Blue Notes, I have been collecting more. As many posters have suggested, even some of the blue label reissues sound good...in some cases, I guess 80-90% of they way towards MM reissues, for a lot less $$$. I do have a moderately priced hot stamper on the way, my first, Dexter Gordon...One Flight Up. I'll let you know what I think. Anyway, I'm trying multiple approaches, and enjoying the music while I experiment.
Speaking for myself there is nothing better in this hobby then owning an original first release of your favorite music on any label.

For me ,that's the icing on the cake.
Especially when it's over 50 years old and the vinyl including the sleeve are in better looking shape then you are.

Mcmprov Dexter Gordons One Flight Up is a fairly good album and yes these so called "hot stamper" Lps certainly do exist.
I was made aware of them in the late 1970s and been experiencing them all I can ever since.

The few 1950s original Blue Note first release, no R on the label, that I have are of my favorite musicians and their music.
For me they are treasures to own.

The King releases are good value if not the best around and I think Music Matters and Analogue Productions are doing a great job with their 45 rpm Blue Note re-issues.