Proper seems to be in the same league as those jazz-reissue labels out of Spain. I'm not sure this
is the case with all Proper reissues, but the products I have bought from them were then-currently
not available on CD from any other sources. Same with a bunch of out-of-print jazz stuff only now
available via the Spanish companies. They clearly just ripped and reissued stuff that was previously
in print from Polygram/Universal, EMI and others, including stuff that had only been reissued as
limited-run Mosaic sets. But none of those "legit" versions are in print anymore, so the only option
to have that material on CD is to buy from the Spanish reissuers.
I very much sympathize with the copyright issues David is alluding to, but as I understand it, the
Spanish reissuers are business-based in a small non-EU country or territory with more liberal
copyright laws than the US, EU or UK, so these aren't really pirate goods, more like gray-market
goods. I would say that the copyright owners bring this on themselves by having desired material out
of print. There is obviously a market for the material since there is a viable business model for
the Spanish reissuers. I'm not sure Proper is set up in the same way, however they may be issuing
material old enough that they are within UK copyright laws.
In the cases of Proper and the Spanish reissuers, I would prefer to have an edition available that
pays the copyright owners, but if they choose to keep materials locked in their vaults and out of
print, they can't expect to be paid for it. The same is true for Naxos, particularly its online
operation blocked in the US and Australia. I am very much in favor of legitimate copyright owners
making available as CD-quality downloads everything in their vaults (ie nothing is out of print) and
putting the gray-market third parties out of business. However, the megaglomerate copyright owners
would argue vehemently that they cannot do this in a viable business model.
-- Tom Fine
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Weiner" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 4:45 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Proper CD boxes
> The difference between them is that Bear Family is a legit reissue label
> whereas Proper lifts their releases from others, including Bear Family!
>
> Dave Weiner
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jan Myren
> Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 2:39 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [ARSCLIST] Proper CD boxes
>
> HI!
>
> I have just bought some fine CD box sets from the label Proper. They are
> almost like Bear Familys but in smaller format. Many interesting titles at a
> very special low price.
>
> I found releases by The Hoosier Hot Shots, early jazz rarities, country and
> boogie music recordings from 78's and so on!
>
> What do you think about those Proper releases?
>
> Best regards
>
> jan
>
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