Universal Music LLC (head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Fujikura Nao / hereinafter referred to as Universal Music) will release a catalog series “Everything Classics” and “Everything Jazz,” a carefully selected catalog series with 200 titles each, starting in May, in a total of four episodes.
Universal Music has two major classical labels: Deutsche Gramophone, the world’s longest-running record label, and Decca, which originated in the UK, known for always aiming to achieve the highest standards in sound quality, audio technology and artistry. In addition, in the jazz field, the company has many labels, including Verve, which has recorded many masterpieces by many masters, Blue Note, the strongest modern jazz label that celebrated its 85th anniversary last year, and Concord, which owns long-established labels from the past such as Prestige and Riverside.
Since 2016, they have released catalog series “Jazz Department Store” and “Classic Department Store” and have sold over 1.35 million copies to date. We have recently renewed both genres and launched the ultimate catalog series “Everything Classics” and “Everything Jazz”, which carefully selects 200 classic and jazz masterpieces each. This is a four-part series, with the first release of Everything Classics on Wednesday, May 14th, and the first release of Everything Jazz on Wednesday, May 28th.
All titles of this series feature the “UHQCD” that reproduces sound that is even more faithful to the original than the previous high-quality discs, and the “Green Color Label Coat” that absorbs unnecessary pickup light reflected inside the CD player. The series logo is created by Cesar Debargue, an illustrator who is active worldwide in a wide range of fields, including media, fashion and cultural institutions, and the booklet also includes more detailed liner notes on performers and songs, as well as mini commentary by artists.
The way you listen to music has changed dramatically worldwide over the past few years. Most popular music users use video streaming and various streaming services, and more and more people don’t have CD players. On the other hand, the percentage of classical and jazz listeners who used CDs within the last year was 38.0% for classical music and 41.3% for jazz, which is still higher than other genres. In addition, there are still high intentions to purchase CDs, and it has been found that “higher sound quality” and “a more enriched booklet” are stimulating the desire to purchase. Based on these market research results*, we have launched a new series this time.
*Research by our company
“Everything Classics”
First edition: Released on Wednesday, May 14th, total of 50 German Gramophones
https://www.universal-music.co.jp/classics/everythingclassics/cat/dg/
Second bullet: Released on Wednesday, June 11th, 50 Decca works in total
https://www.universal-music.co.jp/classics/everythingclassics/cat/decca/
Third edition: Released on Wednesday, September 10th, total of 50 German Gramophones
4th edition: Released on Wednesday, October 8th, 50 Decca titles in total
*Title releases for the third and fourth installments will be announced at a later date
[Official website]:
https://www.universal-music.co.jp/classics/everythingclassics/
“Everything Jazz”
First edition: Released on Wednesday, May 28th, total of 50 works in total
https://www.everythingjazz.jp/story/everythingjazz-catalogue-verve/
Second edition: Universal edition (Impulse!, Decca, EmArcy etc.) Total of 50 works
https://www.everythingjazz.jp/story/everythingjazz-catalogue-universal/
Third edition: Released on Wednesday, September 24th, Concord edition (Riverside, Prestige, etc.) 50 works in total
4th edition: Released on Wednesday, October 22nd, 50 works in total
Official website:
https://www.everythingjazz.jp/everythingjazz-catalogue/
*Reference:
Comment from Asakura Reiji, an audio commentator on UHQCD
“UHQCD (Ultimate High Quality CD) is a high-quality CD developed by Memory Tech, a disc manufacturer. As a result of changing the material from traditional polycarbonate to light-curing resin, which has low viscosity and allows for pit molding that fits the groove shape of the mold, the amount of information when laser reflection in the CD player has increased dramatically, resulting in a significant improvement in sound quality. The sound is undoubtedly the best on CDs.
The UHQCD’s greatness is particularly visible in acoustic classical and jazz recordings. In classical orchestra works, the bass with a resilient, natural texture, the mid-range with a thickness and density, and the transparent high-range are reproduced in a well-balanced manner. The noble tone is impressive. The texture of the strings is delicate, and the subtle overtones enhance the feel of the work, giving it a deep sense of musical pleasure and joy. What’s particularly noteworthy is the sense of sound field. It is clear as you can see the sound particles spread widely throughout the venue, as if you were holding it in your hand. In jazz works, the bass is clearly outlined, the piano is dynamic, and the drums are sharp and the sharpness is brilliant. In the vocals, the emotional lines of the voice are depicted in a detailed and colorful way.
Listening to UHQCD is nothing but an experience of the essence of music.”
-Audio critic Asakura Reiji
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