The 100 Franklin Mint sets were big band jazz; if they did sets in other
genres to the same extent, I don't know them. I think that they are
excellent, though short, and would gladly own them all
but I don't. The alternate takes are not identified in the notes, but one
to one comparisons with issued versions makes clear that some vault
material was used. The "Let's Do It" in the Irving Aaronson
volume is especially fascinating as there are a couple slip ups in the
ensemble and it points up just how hard and intricate those arrangements
were. Also you can hear in some cases the telltale
grinding sound of metal parts being played. But they obviously went to the
best possible sources with each track.

I always had the impression -- and that's all it is -- is that these sets,
at least the discs, were fabricated by RCA Victor. Despite Dynaflex and the
Ethel Gabriel monstronsities of the 'Sixties, RCA
was doing some of its very best mastering and pressing work in the early to
mid-80s, and this is confirmed by some of the classical LPs I have had
which date from this time. In terms of licensing,
though, the FM sets come from everywhere -- Columbia, RCA and Decca -- so
chances are that aspect of it was handled by someone at Franklin Mint and
not in house, if these were indeed
pressed by a major.

Uncle Dave Lewis
Lebanon, OH