When we decided to open up a new store, we felt it necessary to serve as many people as we could. Specifically with digital files, there were always customers who wanted higher fidelity--especially for digital-only releases like our Live at Jazz Standard Full Book downloads.

After some research, we chose the FLAC format because it offered fairly easy integration with most media players and cut the size of the files on our server while providing a lossless, CD-quality audio available for download. If you compare a iTunes file--a compressed MP3 file--the sound quality can be heard even without a "trained" ear. The sound is louder, more defined, and, well, lossless! It's just like listening to the CD.

Downloading our FLAC files is just like downloading our MP3 albums--though the files are 2-3 times larger. Each song is placed into a folder and "zipped" up, making one master file for downloading. After purchasing, the download link will appear in your My Orders section to the right of the product you have purchased. Clicking that download link will prompt your computer to ask where you would like the file saved. From there, the download will begin. When the download has completely finished, clicking the file will open your UNzip software--this comes standard on any new computer. Each song is then UNzipped, and a new folder is made with all of the FLAC files.

You can directly run FLAC files using Winamp and other media players, just drag the files into your media library and listen. Because iTunes does not support FLAC files, you have to do a little work...

Once you download the files, you'll need to convert them into WAV format, which iTunes does support. This is the same compression as found on compact discs. To convert the files, download this software. After downloading and installing this software, drag the FLAC files in the program window, choose a place to save the files when finished, click DECODE, and click begin. The prompt window will open and show you when each file is completed. When they are done decoding, you have WAV files of the album you purchased. Now you can drag those files into your iTunes and listen.

If you run into problems with downloading, we have support text in your My Orders section. Just click on "How Do I Download a File?" Since each computer system is configured differently, we have put together a document that you can use based on your software, hardware, web browser, internet connection, etc, to troubleshoot the issue you are having.

And of course, we are always here to answer your questions if need be. Just drop us a line at help (at) greenleafmusic (dot) com.

First, we have Donny McCaslin's Trio album which has yet to be titled. Many of you know McCaslin from playing with Dave's Quintet for the past few years, and the list of artists he has worked with--Gary Burton, Maria Schneider, etc--is impressive too. This track, Recommended Tools, is an alternate take of the first track on this upcoming release.

Donny McCaslin Trio is Donny McCaslin, Tenor Saxophone; Jonathan Blake, Drums; Hans Glawischnig, Bass

Second, we have Michael Bates' Outside Sources coming out late summer/early fall. "Clockwise" is Michael's 3rd record and follows "Outside Sources" and "A Fine Balance" both of which met with much buzz and acclaim. The music, as you will hear, is as accessible as it is experimental. Michael cites many disparate influences including Shostakovich, Ornette Coleman, and Bad Brains. We hope you like what you hear. This alternate take is of a composition titled "Poor Man's Cure"

Michael Bates' Outside Sources is Quinsin Nachoff, Saxophone and Clarinet; Russ Johnson, Trumpet; Jeff Davis, Drums; Michael Bates, Double Bass.

Well, I got back yesterday night from being on the road with Dave's Quintet on their Euro-tour. Quite an amazing experience traveling around with one of the best--admittedly, I am a little biased--working quintets around. They played incredibly every night regardless of the long train/plane times and such. It was great to see so many of you Greenleaf fans out in attendance at these shows. Meeting you, if only so that I can now put a face to the email address, was great, too. And thanks to all of our new fans that we got to talk to and show off our catalog. We hope to see and hear from you all very soon.

Dave Douglas & Keystone on BBC's Jazz on 3

In other news, while I was gone, an update to the Keystone: Live at Jazz Standard emerged. Some of you noticed that on the 11th and 12th, Keystone played 3 shows rather than the 2 we offered. Now you can hear those 2 Late Late Sets via the BBC who licensed those sets from us. The program Jazz on 3 is an amazing place to hear amazing music. Check it out HERE.

So it's back to work for me. Thanks for everyone's e-patience while I had limited internet connectivity. Keep those emails coming!

-Jim

Keystone is an exciting band to work with. We're very often figuring out the way forward as we play, on the stage. The way I write for this band is to try to create environments that we can shape and reshape in every performance. What's exciting about that is that we feel we're pushing the envelope of what jazz (or whatever you prefer to call this music) can be. We're questioning and re-questioning our assumptions in the doing, and finding new ways to say what we want to say. There's a satisfaction in that, both for the individual player and for the band as a whole.

That's why I feel like presenting eight hours of music is essential to what the vision is. We certainly had a lot of fun playing it. And we sincerely hope you'll have a lot of fun listening to it. It's really us playing for you.

Some statistics.

There are 8 sets, roughly an hour each.
Among the 50 tracks, there are 30 separate compositions.
12 pieces were played once.
16 pieces were played twice.
Apparent favorites: Moonshine (thrice) and Tough (four times).

Each Set is intended as a complete whole, but once you have all the files you can of course arrange them in any order you like.

The pieces are drawn from four main collections:

New, as yet Unreleased Pieces

Circus Peanuts
Mabel's Wilful Way
The First Hundred years
Greenhorn
Olive's Big Mess
Love and Donuts
Pool Sharks

Pieces recorded on the recent Moonshine album

Married Life
Photosynthesis
Moonshine
Tough
Flood Plain
Dog Star
Scopes
Silent Stars
Kitten

Pieces from the band's first album, Keystone

Famous Players
Butterfly Effect
Sapphire Sky Blue
AWD
Traveling Salesman
The Real Roscoe
Mabel Normand
Tragicomique
A Noise From The Deep
Luke The Dog

Pieces originally recorded on the album Freak In

Black Rock Park
Eastern Parkway
Porto Alegre
November

For FAQs continue reading...

We're working on a post about MP3 vs. FLAC, and various interfaces for the files, in short, how to do it. Stay tuned.

Also, in recovery from last week, I will be posting some reflections about the music and the experience. I'll also be heading across the pond tomorrow with the Quintet: Donny McCaslin, Orrin Evans, James Genus, and Clarence Penn. Look forward to seeing you all out there.

Thanks to everyone who has already purchased these sets. And of course, if there is any question you have, or feedback you want to give, please feel free to email me at help (at) greenleafmusic.com.

L@JS, 4/13 - Early Set 1. Moonshine 2. Black Rock Park 3. Dog Star 4. Flood Plain 5. Mabel's Willful Way 6. Tough

L@JS, 4/13 - Late Set 1. Love and Donuts 2. Greenhorn 3. Married Life 4. Eastern Parkway 5. Photosynthesis 6. Famous Players

]]> http://www.greenleafmusic.com/blog/200804145709.php http://www.greenleafmusic.com/blog/200804145709.php Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:57:09 -0600 The MP3 albums from last nights performances have been posted, as well as the Early Set of the FLAC files--check back in 30 minutes for the Late Set...

L@JS, 4/12 - Early Set 1. Luke The Dog 2. Silent Stars 3. The First Hundred Years 4. Traveling Salesman 5. Circus Peanuts 6. Tough

L@JS, 4/12 - Late Set 1. Moonshine 2. November 3. Olive's Big Mess 4. Kitten 5. Porto Alegre 6 Pool Sharks

And after quite a day yesterday, the FLAC files from Thursday nights performances have been reposted as well. In case you didn't notice, there was a short hiccup in one of the tunes probably due to a blip in the encoding. We have fixed the track and the album is back up. Enjoy!

Gene Lake, DJ Olive, Adam Benjamin, Marcus Strickland, Brad Jones. Champions all.

And many thanks to all of you who are already listening to this music all around the world. Tonight we'll play our final two sets and you'll have them tomorrow morning as well as some sort of explication of the proceedings.

L@JS, 4/11 - Early Set 1. Love and Donuts 2. Butterfly Effect 3. Famous Players 4. Mabel Normand 5. Photosynthesis 6. The Real Roscoe

L@JS, 4/11 - Late Set 1. Luke The Dog 2. Black Rock Park 3. Greenhorn 4. A Noise From The Deep 5. Mabel's Wilful Way 6 Tough

More coming very soon...
Find all this new music here.

Peter Margasak at the Chicago Reader has a preview and an interview with George. I've been looking forward to this book for a long time.

I have put up the MP3 albums for the two sets last night. These sets include brand new compositions played for the first time last night. For those who have already ordered, check your account and there will be a DOWNLOAD link next to your order. Any problems, drop us a line at help@greenleafmusic.com and we'll get you squared away.

Also, for those of you who have purchased the Full Book, we are going to be sending you the Limited Edition Keystone: Live at Jazz Standard Poster for FREE (while supplies last)! Nice of us, huh? Well, you deserve it. Thanks for the support!

L@JS, 4/10 - Early Set 1. Silent Stars 2. Moonshine 3. The First Hundred Years 4. Married Life 5. Circus Peanuts 6. Tough

L@JS, 4/10 - Late Set 1. Dog Star 2. Scopes 3. Flood Plain 4. Kitten 5. AWD 6. Traveling Salesman 7. Tragicomique 8. Pool Sharks

Enjoy the music!]]> http://www.greenleafmusic.com/blog/200804114712.php http://www.greenleafmusic.com/blog/200804114712.php Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:47:12 -0600

Starting tonight, Dave Douglas & Keystone hit the NYC club Jazz Standard. Greenleaf Music will be there to document every note much in the same way we did for Dave Douglas Quintet: Live at the Jazz Standard released in 2006. This time Dave and his Keystone band play 8 sets over 4 nights. They will be playing music from Keystone, their latest album Moonshine, and music from Freak In (2003).

Each set will be uploaded in MP3 and FLAC formats within 24 hours of the last note--$7 for an MP3 Album, and $10 for the FLAC album. These shows are also available as a Full Book product which will include all the Individual sets available. If you purchase the Full Book product right now, the files will automatically show in your account the second they are uploaded. How's that for a speedy delivery?

There is also a Limited Edition Serigraph Poster available for $15 (see above). Oh, and T-shirts and Tote Bags, too. Take a look around our NEW STORE and you're sure to find something you haven't seen before.

Check the BLOG for updates.

Last week I played Don Cherry's Symphony for Improvisers in Paris with Roy Campbell, Henry Grimes, Andrew Cyrille, Hamid Drake, Hill Greene, JD Allen, and Mixashawn. There will be a broadcast of the Radio France recording of this concert on Monday, April 14 from 10pm to 11pm Paris time.

That should be just about perfect for those still jonesing for more live music after the last Keystone performance on April 13.

The link for the broadcast is www.francemusique.com.

You can also stream the recording from Monday, April 14, 11 p.m. (just after the air broadcast) up until April 21, 11 p.m. That link is: http://www.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/em/vif/emission
. You have to click on the right up corner of the page, on "(re)ecouter"

See you on the intertubes.

Note the many new features that have been installed with our customers in mind. You'll find improvements like lossless compression FLAC files, High-Res 256 VBR MP3s, T-Shirts and Tote Bags, the full catalogue of Dave Douglas' Arabesque output in CD and digital formats, and of course absolutely no DRM, plus much more.

If you ever purchased something at our old store, musicstem.com, we have your account info here, too. You can login with the same username and password you had at musicstem. If you can't remember your password, use the Forgot the Password? link on the login page.

We hope you enjoy it!

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