Future Dutton Vocalion & Dutton Epoch SACD Release Schedule

[4-earredwonder]

Of course that isn't the case. Sony has been licensing albums for SACD since the start of the format.
Often the real hurdle is getting artist approval, the cost of licensing guarantees vs. expected return and albums previously licensed by other reissue companies.

But it is often easier beating up on the record label (Sony, Warner, UMG) vs. the artist and other considerations....

We're talking roughly about albums that were remixed into QUAD 40~50 years ago. It would seem to make sense most especially as there's money to be made, the remixes are already done and unless they are horrendous or need to be tweaked, GET 'EM OUT.

If anything was learned from the horrible Universal 'vault' fires .... NOTHING lasts forever ..... NOTHING is truly archival. Get 'em out while they're still HOT!

 

[JonUrban]

OK. I take back what I said. It's obvious D-V is still gearing up to crank out more SACDs, but they can only do so much in so little time. We expect them to crank them out in bunches ever few months, but the time frame between finding an acceptable title, getting permission to use it, master it to D-V standards, then send it off to production in another country, wait and stage it for shipping, it's a long path.

Hey, if they don't do it, who is? So it's best that we wait and see what is happening. Brian and Dave are right, there is a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes. MFSL, Acoustic Sounds, and D-V are making money for Sony so they are not going anywhere.

Time heals all waiting. Let's all wait together In Harmony.

 

[GOS]

Yes! I knew if I threw in a Steelydave comment, he'd come to the rescue. lol

But yeah, I am one of those that has purchased every single easy listening title. So, I have spent some change that could easily have purchased some nick-nacks for the wife. lmao

DV, for me, has been the greatest joy in the last few years. Hands down. No, I don't listen to every title often, but I will forever cherish owning them, and being able to hand them to my kids when I'm gone. That is, so they can look at them and say "what the hell do we do with these things?"

Whoopee!

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Yes! I knew if I threw in a Steelydave comment, he'd come to the rescue. lol
That is, so they can look at them and say "what the hell do we do with these things?"

Whoopee!

Well, actually

 

[bktouchstone]

I have tried to like some of the Easy Listening titles. Tried. And it wasn't easy listening to Easy Listening, even in multi-channel, but the effort in doing so actually increased my level of thinking. I don't know if that was due to the relaxed state caused by the music, or the need to escape. One theme often visited during easy listening revelry is whether the performers used their real names in the album credits, or pseudonyms, especially the ones with more pop or rock oriented ambitions much like a porn star wanting to go into legit acting some day. I am sure my opinion is tainted by my college days when as an aspiring radio announcer I took a job as the baby sitter/weather announcer for a Muzak station in east Texas for the weekend midnight to 8 am shift. Oh how I waited those long nights for the aliens to come take me and they never did. Muzak or alien rectal probe? Things were much simpler back then.

From Sony's perspective, if you own these master tapes, they take up storage space, there is a risk of physical loss so you have to insure them, in other words physically owning them costs you money. Unless there is an income stream to offset the cost, it doesn't make sense. If someone like DV comes to you with an interest in putting them out under a licensing deal, then by all means do the licensing deal. But add the twist: "Hey, for $5 more, I'll give you the master tapes!"

Easy listening is a cultural dead end, or maybe a cul de sac if you want to be diplomatic. Perhaps in some vibrant alternative universe the Lennon Sisters covered the Sex Pistols, but here in this one that hasn't been done successfully (though Pat Boone did do a Heavy Metal album several years ago; I don't think it sold well). Maybe Sony deciding not to license easy listening out isn't such a bad thing?

 

[bmoura]

From Sony's perspective, if you own these master tapes, they take up storage space, there is a risk of physical loss so you have to insure them, in other words physically owning them costs you money. Unless there is an income stream to offset the cost, it doesn't make sense. If someone like DV comes to you with an interest in putting them out under a licensing deal, then by all means do the licensing deal. But add the twist: "Hey, for $5 more, I'll give you the master tapes!"

Easy listening is a cultural dead end, or maybe a cul de sac if you want to be diplomatic. Perhaps in some vibrant alternative universe the Lennon Sisters covered the Sex Pistols, but here in this one that hasn't been done successfully (though Pat Boone did do a Heavy Metal album several years ago; I don't think it sold well). Maybe Sony deciding not to license easy listening out isn't such a bad thing?

Again, Sony (or the other major labels) have not refused to license out their Easy Listening tapes for reissue.

Instead, the reissue companies in the US have focused on other genres and artists including rock, pop, jazz and blues.
When Easy Listening was mentioned, they all took a pass. It was not their area of interest, expertise, etc.

Dutton/Vocalion is in a different place for some key reasons. Which makes these reissues in their wheel-house so to speak.
1. They are based in the UK market where licensing costs are lower.
2. They do have experience and a customer base interested in Easy Listening.

In terms of giving master tapes for $5, that is unlikely to happen.
1. The record labels always keep their master tapes close at hand.
2. Licensing also requires artist/band approval and guaranteed payments. Which are far beyond $5 - even in the UK market....

 

[GOS]

Yeah. I mean, I agree. Again, look at my avatar....it's Ozzy for crap sake. That should tell you my roots. These easy listening things are my way of getting a piece of my child-hood back. My grandparents on both sides had these damn records. I didn't realize how much owning and listening to these would mean to me. So, in a nutshell, that's my draw.

 

[quicksrt]

When an artist is adverse its much more difficult than a higher licensing fee. If you throw around enough cash, anything is possible.

 

[4-earredwonder]

When an artist is adverse its much more difficult than a higher licensing fee. If you throw around enough cash, anything is possible.

But then how much is TOO MUCH?

I think Mr. Dutton has a good grip on his business practices as in the case of the two Art Garfunkel discs which were single discs and sold as well, if NOT better, than his QUAD two~fer SACDs at the same price point of £11.99.

D~V had a recent sale where a RBCD two~fer sold for as little as £.99. And we're talking quality music remastered with the same care he affords his QUAD remasters ... from the original analogue tapes.

 

[quicksrt]

When licensing is expiring there is a mad dash to blow out the final units at any price before they are ground up into sawdust.

I got a grip on the business too! And I’d pay MFSL or AF prices to get my final dozen Sony or WMG titles in 4.0 Quad.

Feels like it’s getting down to the wire with physical media, single disc reissues, and vintage quad.

Hey I just realized that we hit Dec. 1st, but it fell on a Sunday. So now its the 2nd of Dec. it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 

[bmoura]

When an artist is adverse its much more difficult than a higher licensing fee.

Very true. In a number of cases, the reason for an album not being released is not about the amount of the licensing guarantee.
But when it is, the reissue company often can't make the potential release pencil out if the guarantee is way beyond what makes financial sense.

 

[haikubass]

This just in - from the new Dutton Vocalion newsletter:

Remember to stay tuned because another tranche of goodies is due to be released imminently … it includes several classic soul albums of the ’70s, the quadraphonic mixes of which are making their first ever appearance in the SACD format. And as if that were not enough, further titles in the Dutton Epoch series (both new recordings and archive reissues) are scheduled for early next year, all of them in the Hybrid SACD stereo/multi-channel format.

Don’t forget to visit the Low Stock/Deletions section of our website, home to the last supplies of various of our older back-catalogue titles. When they’re gone, they’re gone, so this is your chance to get them while they’re still available.

We’d like to take this opportunity to say a big “thank you” to all our customers for their support and loyalty. Here’s to 2020!

 

[GOS]

Boy, Dutton V sure showed us a thing or 2. We whined, we wimpered.....where are the DV titles....are they slowing down? Will they do any more?

LMFAO!

 

[humprof]

This just in - from the new Dutton Vocalion newsletter:

Note: tranche of goodies (including classic soul albums) imminently vs. Dutton Epochs early next year...does this mean that you'll need to make one more set of additions to your list of 2019 releases, @haikubass?

 

[haikubass]

Note: tranche of goodies (including classic soul albums) imminently vs. Dutton Epochs early next year...does this mean that you'll need to make one more set of additions to your list of 2019 releases, @haikubass?

Oh I definitely need to man up, stop ordering imminently and add all them trenches... and covers... before 2020... and the new list!

 

[JonUrban]

Open floodgates! When these newest titles are announced, I will spring for the Giant Box, after reading all of the good stuff about it. I never paid much attention to that title even though I had the box in my LP collection for years. When I ordered the BW and GW I passed on it, but now it will be a done deal.

Waiting patiently for more stars from DV!

 

[olgitnorm]

Oooh.... There's more stuff coming soon by the looks of things from the DV email?!

.....Remember to stay tuned because another tranche of goodies is due to be released imminently … it includes several classic soul albums of the ’70s, the quadraphonic mixes of which are making their first ever appearance in the SACD format. And as if that were not enough, further titles in the Dutton Epoch series (both new recordings and archive reissues) are scheduled for early next year, all of them in the Hybrid SACD stereo/multi-channel format.

Any educated guesses to which artists may be included in the forthcoming classic soul album releases from the 70’s ?

 

[sjcorne]

Any educated guesses to which artists may be included in the forthcoming classic soul album releases from the 70’s ?

These would be my top picks - as far as I know, they are all controlled by Sony.

 

[olgitnorm]

Seems like the O’Jays are a fair bet then

 

[fredblue]

Any educated guesses to which artists may be included in the forthcoming classic soul album releases from the 70’s ?

a not dissimilar question was posed over at the SHF the other day!

the following..

Friends Of Distinction, O'Jays, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Miracles, War, Manhattans, Earth Wind & Fire, Minnie Riperton, Wild Cherry, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Curtis Mayfield, Donald Byrd, Isley Brothers, Phoebe Snow, Sly Stone, MFSB, B.T. Express, Creative Source, The New Birth, Labelle..

are among those i think may be doable..

Minnie's a slimmer proposition these days since the catalogue in the UK's moved from Epic to EMI to UMG over the years.. and B.T. Express hasn't been on CBS for years, it went to EMI and now on Roadshow (i think?).. Curtis may be entangled in the estate.. but who knows what the Watford Wizard can come up with!? i don't!