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Mapleshade Music Festival

Best of Mapleshade Vol. 1

Best of Mapleshade Vol. 2

Blues

Celtic

Country/Bluegrass

Classical

Gospel/Spiritual

Hamiet Bluiett's Explorations Series

Jazz

     - Cool Jazz
     - Traditional Jazz/Swing
     - Vocal Jazz
     - Piano Jazz
     - Cookin' Jazz
     - Mellow Jazz
     - Large Groups & Big Bands
     - Free/Avante Garde Jazz

Live

Rhythms & Rock

Singer/Songwriter

World Music

Tell us what you think of our CDs.

Read what listeners think of our CDs

"I just got the CDs I ordered and I just wanted to let you know that I believe that these are the finest recordings I have heared to date. They are by far the most natural recordings I have. I started listening about an hour ago and I just cancelled the rest of my plans today to keep on listening. I look forward to getting the cone feet that I ordered and I am currently working on 2" maple slabs for my equipment as you advised. I do plan on ordering lots more of your stuff. Keep up the good work, I'm sure that there are plenty more people like me who really appreciate the work you do."

Sincerely,
Robert Kato

"I received the CDs that you sent. Thank you very much. They are all great! But.....King/Bluiett completely blows me away. Hamiet Bluiett is so tough on the horn, that I can hardly believe the sound. Kudos to yourself and the rest of the Mapleshade Gang for such a truly HOT recording. Your superior producing skills are so apparent in this recording. Keep up the great work."

Best regards,
Phil

"I received my latest order in record time. From your place to mine in 21 hours; I thought you drove them down yourself and left them on my doorstep. I stayed up until 3 am checking them out. All absolutely great. I REALLY like the Rebecca Kane Sextet and When Alto Was King. Thanks for the prompt service and absolutely brilliant recordings. Thanks again and looking forward to getting ALL the Mapleshade releases."

Regards,
Brian Hoskins

"Hello, I just wanted to let you know I purchased Harold Ashby "Just For You" [from CD Now]. It's everything and more that your catalog claims it to be. I couldn't be happier. It's excellent when content and quality are both this good. I will be putting together an order to you directly in the very near future. Once again Bravo, You Did Good!"

Thank you,
Jeff Starr

"Man, I had never heard of your company before and I requested a catalog. I am completely blown away at what I am hearing. The sound quality on your CD's is like nothing I have ever heard before. Thank you for enriching my existence on this planet. That is truly the best $40 that I have spent. You will be hearing from me again."

John

"It was my pleasure to speak with you. I wanted to take the time to tell you how much I "love" your work. I received 18 CD's from you on Wednesday and have listened intensely to about 9 of the 18. I am "blown away." My investment in hi-end audio gear is borderline insane and never, ever, have I been able to enjoy the end result to the degree than I now can...with your products. Excellent, please keep up the great work."

Accolades!
Greg

"After listening to the 5 cd's I have to say — THEY ALL ARE YOU SAY THEY ARE. Stunning."

Warmest regards,
Vic

I would just like to let the staff know how much my wife and I are enjoying the CDs that we recently ordered from you. I ordered a couple for my father for Christmas and finished out the order with the "Music Festival," and the C-Nuts CDs for our enjoyment. My wife listens to the Mapleshade CD as she gets ready for the day. Once again, thank you for putting out such a nice quality product at a reasonable price.

Kevin & Kim Buchanan,
Noblesville Indiana

I just received my first order and oerdered some more. The sound is absolutely astonishing. I am currently listening to Clifford Jordan and have one of those "I- can't- believe -it- give- me -more" smiles on my face. I feel as though I have found the Holy Grail for Audiophiles.

BRAVO!! and THANK YOU!
David Kaltenbach

As I sit and write this E-mail I am listening to the Midnight "Ras Mek Peace" CD I received today and I am totally awe struck. This is the best sounding reggae recording i have ever experienced, not to mention the quality of the band. This is awesome. Secondly, I would like to tell whom it may concern that this is the second CD I've ordered (from Mapleshade) and it has been a pleasure ordering. The people are very courteous and helpful. The CD arrived very promptly. I am looking forward to dealing with you again and look forward to new releases.

Very satisfied customer,
Kevin

I got the CDs — astonishing. I quit. How in the world am I supposed to put that sound into words? I may be in touch with an odd or end, but for now just wanted to say thanks...

Sincerely,
Ken

What a surprise to get a real live person on the phone yesterday. And to give me a call back when you said you would! Who said personal service is dead? Thanks for the call back and for the advice concerning my selections. I can't wait to get them.

Thanks again,
Bob Giolitto

PS. I've e-mailed friends about you

Just received my order for 32 discs yesterday and wanted to send a note. I now have approximately 45-50 different Mapleshade/Wildchild recordings and wish to complement you on their quality. I have had the chance to sample most of them and each has qualities superior to other audiophile recordings that are now available. I've been an audiophile for over 20 years and can truthfully say that your recordings are the best in the business (I also prefer them to my SACD's). In addition, with only a few exceptions, I find the musical content to be quite excellent, also. Of course my favorites are your latest releases such as the Cocuzzi CD and Blues for Bighead. Please release more jazz/blues of this quality (I especially like it when some of the material contains vocals). All in all, Bravo, and a job well done. You are guaranteed my business in the future.

Thanks again.
Doug Zetye

I use tube electronics throughout my system and the quality of your CDs shines with live, transparent purity. I am thrilled to have found you and to be able to hear these priceless performances brought to life in my living room.

David Stomackin

Hello, I just wanted to bring my contribution and say how much I like your recordings. I allready have about 30 titles from Mapleshade/Wildchild and they are for sure among my favourites. The quality of the recordings are exceptional and natural sounding. I have several other labels who claim the audiophiles' label and they deserve it but Mapleshade is one class above. One key element offcourse is the excellent quality of the musicians who records on that label. Keep on the good job.

Long live Mapleshade!
Patrick

Since a friend informed me of your CD's and after listening for many, many hours to them, nothing else can even come close. The "you are there" sense is only limited by an individuals playback system. I find myself listening more intently and more often....enjoying the music that you have recorded and produced. It's just plain fun to listen. "Run of the mill" CD's by the "big boys" can't come close to yours. Keep it up!!!

Glenn Mills

Just played all four cd's that came yesterday, they blew me away. I highly recommend that you try Mapleshade, they simply are the BEST recordings out there.

John A Schultz

I have been a fan of your recordings for a number of years now, and my only regret is that you don't have a larger catalog of music! More, more, more, please!!!

Everything about your recordings is outstanding: From the interesting stories in the liner notes to the sound quality and musicality of each CD. I feel as if I know each of you and the artists personally.

Keep up the great work, Pierre, and everyone else of the Mapleshade family! By the way, have you ever given thought to offering guided tours of Mapleshade Studio and its surroundings and history? I know I would be first in line!

A very satisfied client,
Mr. Aurelio Stella
Clawson, Michigan

Received your sampler yesterday afternoon and just placed my order for a bunch of discs this morning -- nice work you're doing there at Mapleshade! I have a small studio and do a lot of recording myself, and even though I'm not going to toss out my compressors or my Iron Maiden records, I must say that for natural, minimalist recording technique, I haven't heard anything close to your stuff. The dynamics, detail and transients are just amazing. Even my fiance, who doesn't usually completely understand what I'm talking about when I talk about recording, got a huge smile on her face the second I played the A la Carte Brass track on the sampler! Thanks -- I'm looking forward to ordering more CDs already!

Mike Coffman
Cassidy Recording
Philadelphia, PA

I am always looking for new music. I buy a lot of disc's based on reviews, without actually listening to them. I would have to say I am disappointed about half the time with these purchases. I have struck a winner with "The Art of the Ballad". The performances and sound quality of the music is what I have been looking for. Smooth and relaxing...great stuff. Keep up the great work.

Patrick Lash

I would like to comment on an order I placed not too long ago...I have been around high end audio for a number of years and nothing much suprises me anymore. That is, until I played your CDs. Never has my tube gear sounded better. You are to be commended for your dedication in making state of the art recordings. All other CDs pale in comparison. Another big suprise was what your Mikro-Smooth did to the CDs I tried it on. I'm hearing things on those discs that I never knew were there. Keep up the good work- you have won over a loyal customer.

Robert DeSio

Your recordings are uniformly outstanding. My favorites (so far, at least) are "Austin Backalley Blue" and "Ras Mek Peace" (one of the most breath-taking recordings of any type that i've ever had the honor of hearing).

Gregory J. Rosmaita

This CD ["Chopin and Liszt Sonatas" performed by Alan Gampel) is the best sounding classical piano I have ever heard. Please make more recordings! Also, the Midnite album ("Ras Mek Peace") is outstanding. Thanks Mapleshade.

Carl Mabee

In an era of over hyped, over produced, and over compressed pop music by mega pop stars who have little more to offer than a pretty face on a CD package, Mapleshade and Wildchild are a welcome relief. It's labels such as yours that remind us audiophiles why we love this hobby.

Jeffrey Hayes

Received my 9 CD's early last week. I have been listening every chance I can and "I am freakin hooked". This is some really really fine music and the clarity is truly mind blowing. With your eyes closed you feel like someone is going to hit you with a drum stick or get some spit on you...The first time I listened to the "C-Nuts" I wasn't too sure what to think. But after two listens with all preconceived notions of what the songs are "supposed" to sound like, I was loving it. Got up this morning with "Murder by Numbers" on my mind and had to hear it before heading to work this morning. My sound guru is coming over on Thursday to review my system set up. He has never heard of you guys so I'll lend him a couple of disks for a few days and make sure he has your site address. They do a lot of work in Calgary. Keep up the awesome work. I'm a fan for life. How am I supposed to listen to a "normal" CD now? I'll be placing another order very soon in the New Year.

Best regards, Brian Norrie

(Alan Gampel's "Chopin & Liszt Sonatas" is a) delicious recording- both robust dynamically and velvety smooth. Can't Wait for the next in the Mapleshade / Fazioli series.

Rob Lutz

I like what you are doing. I am a pretty good amateur musician - classical clarinet (bass) and jazz piano. My early college studies were in music at Ithaca College more than 30 years ago. I have been playing live gigs for decades (60-80 piece concert band and jazz combos), attending symphony concerts and live theatre for decades, and listening to home hi fi since 1959. Today, l listen to CD's on my Rega Jupiter/Io, play records on my VPI HW-19Jr/Rega RB300/Shure V-15x, pre amplified through a Carver C-2, crossed over through an Audio Control Phase Coupled Activator, amplified through an Adcom GFA-555 and a Rotel R-991, and Magnaplanar MG-1.6's and a VMPS Larger Subwoofer. All in all, a very pleasant system.

What I enjoy most about your recording is the absolute, stark raving reality of the completeness of the acoustic of each instrument and voice. I have never heard another label do this in its final products. Not Reference Recordings (which I love) or even Sheffield Records (DD of years ago). As a musician and experienced live listener, I know the sounds of most instruments. You capture them precisely. After listening over again to your recordings, I am beginning to question the engineering of the hundreds of records and growing CD collection I have...Keep up the interesting, highly professional recording style you have developed. You are bringing new insights to me after many years of serious listening.

Best Regards, Warren L. Rubin, Plano, TX

I recently bought the Warren Smith CD "Cats are Stealing my S---." Wow. Even over my mid-fi system, the clarity and power of the recording was amazing. Such presence on difficuly instruments such as chimes and glockenspiel! I have ordered another four CDs at your generous bargain prices. I'm sure they'll be equally amazing. And by the way, the Mikro-Smooth and Optrix combo does wonders. I treated my two most scratched and unplayable dics and my fussy CD player sailed past the glitches without a whimper.

Thanks, Anthony Fichera

I received your speaker cable and 4 CDs. Wow, do you ever know what you are doing.

The cable: I've parked my $200+ garden hose MIT Term II bi-wire for your tiny single wire connection. It sounds cleaner and clearer with no loss of bass or dynamics. I really notice that as I use a Placette Pre.

The recordings: I have a Sony SACD player and I swear your recordings sound like SACD -- at the least.

I will order more in the future, and I will tell my friends. If some day in the future you can buy and sell Bill Gates, I will have have no problem with that either.

Congratulations and thanks
Dennis Erwin

The Alan Gampel recording is WONDERFUL ... and I think I can say this is one of the best, if not the best, recorded piano I have heard on my system. The interpretation is superb...at some point "diabolique".

Samir

None of my friends are audiophiles, but they know good music when they hear it! I recently loaned The C-Nuts CD to a friend, who eventually returned it saying "where do you find stuff like this"? I cheerfully gave him one of your catalogues--you should have a new customer anyday now.

The really great thing about Mapleshade releases is that as I improve mysystem, their sound quality improves as well--from already good to, at times, absolutely staggering. No-one (Keith Johnson possibly excepted) gets a percussion sound like Pierre Sprey and who else but Mapleshade would think to record Warren Smith playing duos or Asante as a soloist? Now, if only Pierre would tackle a major orchestral recording: that would be a real treat!

Anthony Fichera

Just got your (Music Festival) CD. Dammnnn they sound so good. So ALIVE, so sweet, detailed. Makes my other audiophile CD's sound low end. Just wait for another order from me. Say thank's to Pierre Sprey for me.

Best Regards
Farman

Your CD's are simply a revelation. I'm a long time audiophile and multi-year ops. manager of a major market FM station and I've heard virtually all the labels out there. Of course all your technical wizardry would be for naught if it were not for your deep talent pool. Congratulations for corraling some of the best musicians in the business! (Your liner notes are a welcome addition to an already superb product.) Thanks for making records that allow me to be emotionally involved in the music again.

Jim Ousley

I'm not an audiophile. I don't have a state-of-the-art sound system. I heard the stories about the maverick studio in Maryland, and was curious. The stories were true. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite, but if you pointed a gun at me and counted down from 3, I'd say ARC Choirs "Walk With Me" will be in rotation pretty long. I must commend the staff that dealt so patiently and personably with me. I hope I can make your work more known here.

Khan Colman
Osaka, Japan

Your CD's are the best sounding CD's that I have ever heard! Midnight Blue is outstanding. When the singer belts out "My One And Only Love", she's right in front of me. I have friends over just to hear the quality of Mapleshade CD's. As a side note, because of your CD's, I've bought Silclear, brass cones, Optrix, the Iconoclast, and Progold Spray. They work!

By the way, more cones, a maple platform, more CD's are in my near future. I called for advice and Mr. Sprey himself called me back, I was flabbergasted. Everything about your outfit is class and about hearing music. Thanks for bringing even more excitement to a hobby that I have loved all of my life.

There are only two things that I wish for; one is that all record companies record like Mapleshade, and two, that I didn't have so much of a certain fairly expensive cable so that I could buy yours. I know that it's got to be great stuff.

Mike Payne

P.S. Your catalogue has excellent audio tips for it's readers to follow.

My first order arrived on time as scheduled this past week. I still haven't been able to pick my jaw up off the floor. These are absolutely some of the best CDs I have EVER heard. Your skill and your passion are so apparent on every cut. Raw, organic, LIVE music...it doesn't get any better than this. If I had the money in hand I would buy your whole catalogue now!  I can't wait to place my next order and I've already turned 3 others onto your website. They are beside themselves too!

I still have goosebumps from the ARC Choir album. I also ordered Chief Bey, Asante and Benito Gonzalez and Midnite. By the way, I love the liner notes. It's so cool to hear the story behind the recording. Thanks again for such a breath of fresh air.

Blessings on your heads!
Brad Robinson
"new unofficial Mapleshade spokesman"

You CDs have wonderful sound, but are also a group of music that is so hard to find ... and find recorded so well. My only suggestion is to have a "wish list" added to your site. I can't buy all I want at once, but I would like to aver a place on your site where I can save the ones I have marked to buy so I can go back on any given day and put in an order for a few without trying to find my list of your cds. Thanks for the great music. Once I have my wires set, I will be into buying batches of your cds.

– Gerry G

A few months ago i borrowed my friend's Mark lLevinson preamp to test to my audio system (I'm using Luxman preamp, Bryston power amp and a pair of Mission v61 speaker) and the result was amazing. Here in the Philippines, only a few fortunate one can afford millions of pesos just to set up hi-end audio. I'm one of many less unfortunate who cannot afford hi-end audio. A few days ago i received my first CD's from Mapleshade which i order online. When i played (them) it feels like I'm using a hi-end audio system. The music is alive and very sweet to the ears. Forget about hi-end audio (gear), all i need now is to order again from Mapleshade. Mapleshade music gives life to my audio system. Thank you.

– Pablo F. Bernardino