Search - Steve Miller :: Your Saving Grace (Mini-LP Sleeve)

Renewed but Not Remastered!

Michael C. Adams | NY, NY. | 12/12/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Your Saving Grace is the only one of the first five Steve Miller Band CD's to have gone out of print. It makes it's reentry into the CD market with this Japanese reissue. However, this is NOT REMASTERED! None of these Japanese pressings are. They sound identical to the domestic releases that have been available for over a decade."

NOW SUPERCEDED BY 2007 JAPAN-ONLY REMASTER

BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 09/15/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Inexplicably, "Your Saving Grace" has been unavailable in the domestic US Steve Miller catalog for some time.



However, if you're about to spend big bucks on an OOP copy of this 1994 release, be advised: The audio has been supplanted on a new 2007 remastered Japanese mini-sleeve CD.



The first five albums in the Steve Miller catalog were included in this new Japan issue.



The '07 'sleeve audio has increased volume and better clarity, particularly in the percussion, where the high-hat and symbols are much more prevalent.



The audio on the Japan editions are also superior to that on the Steve Miller box set.



And, as always, the exact replica of the original LP album cover is great to have.



As all 'sleeve releases are limited edition, do not delay in getting yours, as they will probably sell out quickly.



However, be advised that Amazon's availability always trails the release dates in Japan by at least two weeks, so pre-ordering mini-sleeves on Amazon is never a guarantee you will actually receive them. Also, Amazon's mini-sleeve prices are nearly double the Japan street prices (before shipping, of course).



Links to the 2007 Japan mini-sleeve remasters:



Children Of The Future

Sailor

Brave New World

Your Saving Grace

Number 5



WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?



Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.



Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.



Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.



Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.



All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs."

Clean,clear&sounding better then the LP!!

Bookworm | Chicago | 10/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, this is the cd from Japan. It definitely is a much better sound then the USA out of print cd that sell for big bucks. Crisp and clear w/solid bass and much better mid & high frequencies all around. The cd does not come in the standard cd case, so you will have no problem finding it amoung all those standard cases. It does have a seperate sheet with the words and a full replica of the old LP cover. I would recommend purchasing this cd made in Japan before getting an out of print US reversion. I got this cd for only eight buck$ more then a mint LP, which I would have to put on a disk to listen to. Oh, you can pay alot less, for this cd, if you buy it on Amazon.com. Enjoy! (-:"