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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Originally Posted by Brian T
(Post 14373453)
I do agree, and obviously I bought all five of these releases so I’ll take whatever I can get. And from appearances on the site, they look pretty decent, until you get them and start seeing the lack of creativity compared with nearly all of their competitors. I get that they want a certain ‘feel’ or ‘look’ to their line — not unlike how, say, 88’s newly-commissioned slip/sleeve renderings make them all complementary when placed together, and even immediately identifiable as 88 products. But Eureka has always been hit and miss in terms of using and/or repurposing original posters and lobbies. Sometimes you get ‘em (as reverse sleeves), sometimes you don’t, and if you do get ‘em they make weird adjustments that make them look worse. And as someone who often places a bigger order after a few titles have been released, this latest batch is probably the weakest yet for the reasons I delved into.
(I’ve probably already griped about CASINO RAIDERS not having its sequels included, which I think is a legit complaint for a lot of these labels more related to jumping the gun rather than greed per se, but based on VinSyn’s recent BLACK CAT double feature, maybe we’ll see more complete sets of other ‘series’ in the future) But, like I said, I ponied up because I love the movies and support the brand. I just think it wouldn’t hurt them to step up their game. If I lived in the UK I’d probably be knocking on their door with a portfolio in hand! :lol: And one other thing I'll add when it comes to multi film sets is that there are (anecdotally at least) a lot of consumers who prefer individual releases and consider box set exclusives to be an unsavory practice. Why should they be forced to pay for crummy sequels if they only want the first movie? |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Originally Posted by rocket1312
(Post 14373553)
My biggest gripe with the Jet Li packaging beyond the lackluster artwork is the way it flip flops between using "the Enforcer" and 'My Father is a Hero". I'd prefer they use the original title, but unless they use it within the context of the original art and as a reversible insert where you can choose one or the other. I'd rather they be consistent. I know it's not, but it almost seems like a production mistake.
Originally Posted by rocket1312
(Post 14373553)
And one other thing I'll add when it comes to multi film sets is that there are (anecdotally at least) a lot of consumers who prefer individual releases and consider box set exclusives to be an unsavory practice. Why should they be forced to pay for crummy sequels if they only want the first movie?
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Following last week's announcement that we have signed a distribution deal with the US production and distribution company MVD Entertainment and are launching our award-winning Blu-ray label into North America later this year. We can now reveal more details about the deal. The deal has been handled in the UK by Kevin Lambert, formerly Head of Content at Arrow, who returned to Eureka! in July 2023 as its Head of Content. “It’s extremely exciting to be partnering with MVD for our North American physical and digital distribution. We can’t wait to get our first releases out to US retailers, and we look forward to bringing the best of auteur and classic cinema, including our celebrated Masters of Cinema series, to a wider audience. It is a big new step forward for the company, and I’m sure Blu-ray collectors will be thrilled to have another of the world’s best labels available in North America” he said. MVD Entertainment Group’s Director of Home Video Sales and Acquisitions, Eric D. Wilkinson, commented, "MVD Entertainment Group is thrilled to be partnering with Eureka Entertainment and help bring this premium collector's label to North America. I very much look forward to working with the Eureka! team and am even more excited to be adding Eureka! titles to my personal collection!" Managing Director of Eureka Entertainment, Ruth Schofield added, “With Kevin’s return to the company it seemed like a logical move to capitalise on his knowledge of multi-territory distribution and finally fulfil the desires of our fans. We’re asked daily when we will be able to distribute in North America, and I’m very happy that the day has come to be able to make those fans’ wishes come true.” The first Eureka releases distributed by MVD Entertainment in North America will be one of the most important and influential films in the early history of American genre cinema, Paul Leni’s THE CAT AND THE CANARY, and the action-packed superhero spectacle starring Jet Li, BLACK MASK. Both titles will be released in both territories (UK & North America) and will be available for purchase later in the year. |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
There's an interesting sort of musical chairs (maybe): Kevin Lambert left Arrow (where he was Head of Content) for Eureka, and Cliff MacMillan left Shout! (Production/Acquisitions; Scream Factory co-founder) to head up acquisitions at Arrow. If someone from Eureka takes over at Shout!, it'd be full-circle!
So as of November, both Scream Factory co-founders are gone. Wonder how the ship's being steered these days. |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
First Powerhouse, then Eureka. What do they know that we don’t ? We know the state of physical media consumption in the USA, something with more patronage across the pond. Or is that all hokum ?
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
I don’t know, I get the impression that physical media consumption is doing ok over here now that it’s truly becoming the niche market it was always destined to be. I sometimes wonder if the folks lamenting Best Buy dumping physical media as the end of physical media itself in that thread are even aware of the existence of the nearly endless list of indie/boutique labels popping up these days. :) Now that many folks seem to be easily FOMO’d into forking over top dollar for deluxe limited editions of movies we could’ve had for comparative pennies during the later dvd years or, like me, practically acquiring entire catalogs every time there’s a 50% sale, it feels like Eureka is just finally doing what they should have done ages ago, and before the niche market itself starts to contract eventually.
I'm relieved that their first two releases aren’t just Region A versions of stuff they released (and I might’ve bought) in the UK, but I do wonder if that kind of thing is in the pipeline. My only issue with BLACK MASK is its utter ubiquity as a cheap bargain title over here, although I don’t recall that one having the original HK soundtrack (?) or much else to recommend it after Artisan’s tampering. It would be nice to have something closer to a proper version, or perhaps the Taiwan version (but in the proper Cantonese), in a new edition. |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
This came in an email from Eureka: I used to review for them & am still on their pro email list.
"EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT EXPAND TO NORTH AMERICA | PRESS RELEASE [For immediate release] Eureka Entertainment is pleased to announce the launching of its award-winning Blu-ray label into North America later this year. Eureka Entertainment have signed a distribution deal with the US production and distribution company MVD Entertainment. The deal has been handled in the UK by Kevin Lambert, formerly Head of Content at Arrow, who returned to Eureka! in July 2023 as its Head of Content. Kevin started his career in the industry at Eureka! in 2002 and worked his way up to Production Manager before leaving the company in 2016 to take up the role of Head of Catalogue Production and Acquisitions at Arrow. “It’s extremely exciting to be partnering with MVD for our North American physical and digital distribution. We can’t wait to get our first releases out to US retailers, and we look forward to bringing the best of auteur and classic cinema, including our celebrated Masters of Cinema series, to a wider audience. It is a big new step forward for the company, and I’m sure Blu-ray collectors will be thrilled to have another of the world’s best labels available in North America” he said. MVD Entertainment Group’s Director of Home Video Sales and Acquisitions, Eric D. Wilkinson, commented, "MVD Entertainment Group is thrilled to be partnering with Eureka Entertainment and help bring this premium collector's label to North America. I very much look forward to working with the Eureka! team and am even more excited to be adding Eureka! titles to my personal collection!" Eureka Entertainment is one of the leading independent distributors of Blu-rays in the UK. Its UK catalogue contains an extensive collection of classic and cult films, initially released in limited-edition sets. Its collection spans many genres including, amongst others, silent movies, world cinema, action, martial arts, horror, indie dramas, and Hollywood classics. Managing Director of Eureka Entertainment, Ruth Schofield added, “With Kevin’s return to the company it seemed like a logical move to capitalise on his knowledge of multi-territory distribution and finally fulfil the desires of our fans. We’re asked daily when we will be able to distribute in North America, and I’m very happy that the day has come to be able to make those fans’ wishes come true.” The first Eureka releases distributed by MVD Entertainment in North America will be one of the most important and influential films in the early history of American genre cinema, Paul Leni’s The Cat and the Canary, and the action-packed superhero spectacle starring Jet Li, Black Mask. Both titles will be released in both territories and will be available for purchase later in the year." " |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
This was previously shared in post #363 and is under discussion in the subsequent posts. ;)
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
A US release of China O'Brien is coming soon too... likely from Vinegar Syndrome.
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
The Cat and The Canary for me.
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Had a feeling there’d be a U.S. announcement close to the UK announcement, because what else! Aside from ENTER THE DRAGON, though, Robert Clouse movies are sooo difficult to get through, and the O’BRIEN pair are two of his last three. Weird timing, but over the last month or so I coincidentally filled in a few remaining gaps in his filmography from my unwatched stacks (so, yeah, I do buy his stuff and I can’t explain it) including his last film IRONHEART (terrible), GYMKATA (ditto), FORCE FIVE (barely passable) and GOLDEN NEEDLES (better, but also closer in the timeline to ENTER THE DRAGON). The very presence of martial artists like Rothrock and Norton are basically the only saving grace in some of these films, and even then he often shot their fights in the most uninteresting ways. IRONHEART is just pathetic; a vanity show for a charisma-free Korean martial artist who expectedly went nowhere; Bolo’s barely in it, and wasted. Now that I’ve seen most of Clouse’s films, ENTER really seems like that magical one-off that was bound never to be repeated, for one very obvious reason.
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
And VS just posted on their FB that they will be releasing their own 4K set of China O'Brien this year. Pre-orders will go live in March.
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Extras for BLACK MASK. A few too many fan experts for me, as usual, but nice to have all the cuts in one place and at least one archival piece:
LIMITED EDITION TWO-DISC BLU-RAY SET FEATURES:Limited Edition of 2000 copies only | O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Grégory Sacré (Gokaiju) | Limited Edition bonus disc featuring two alternate versions of the film | PLUS: A Limited- edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by James Oliver DISC ONE Fully uncut Hong Kong version presented in 1080p from a 2K restoration Original US version presented in 1080p from a 2K restoration Original Cantonese Stereo and optional DTS-HD MA 5.1 (Hong Kong Version) Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release Brand new audio commentary on the Hong Kong version by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) Brand new audio commentary on the US export version by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema Brand new interview with stuntman Mike Lambert Brand new interview with film critic Andrew Heskins (easternKicks.com) Brand new interview with Leon Hunt, author of Kung Fu Cult Masters: From Bruce Lee to Crouching Tiger Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork Archival Making of featurette Trailers DISC TWO (LIMITED EDITION BONUS DISC) Alternate Taiwanese cut of the film | Extended version of Black Mask featuring all the unique footage from the various releases of the film re-inserted Extras for CAT AND THE CANARY: SPECIAL FEATURES:Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Graham Humphreys 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a 4K digital restoration of the original negatives supplied by MoMA DTS-HD MA 5.1 score by Robert Israel; compiled, synchronized and edited by Gillian B. Anderson, based on music cue sheets compiled and issued for the original 1927 release Brand new audio commentary by author Stephen Jones and author / critic Kim Newman Brand new audio commentary by Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby Mysteries Mean Dark Corners – brand new video essay by David Cairns & Fiona Watson Pamela Hutchinson on The Cat and the Canary – brand new interview with writer and film critic Pamela Hutchinson Phuong Le on The Cat and the Canary – brand new interview with film critic Phuong Le A Very Eccentric Man & Yeah, a Cat! – extracts from John Willard’s original play Lucky Strike – Paul Leni gives a full-throated endorsement to the product that got him through filming The Cat and the Canary A collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Richard Combs, Craig Ian Mann, and Imogen Sara Smith |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
China O'Brien was just one of those low budget DTV titles that I always saw on the video store shelves in the 1990s, but never bothered renting. Not sure why.
I know Rothrock has been around close to 40 years and has a cult fanbase, but I can't say I'm a huge fan of hers. For me personally, I probably won't spend big money on her movies. |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Keith Cooke was awesome in China O'Brien. He pulled off one of the earliest triple kicks on two opponents -- that became his signature move. Donnie Yen would start using that move, as well.
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Originally Posted by DJariya
(Post 14380086)
China O'Brien was just one of those low budget DTV titles that I always saw on the video store shelves in the 1990s, but never bothered renting. Not sure why.
I know Rothrock has been around close to 40 years and has a cult fanbase, but I can't say I'm a huge fan of hers. For me personally, I probably won't spend big money on her movies. Spoiler:
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Originally Posted by Why So Blu?
(Post 14380088)
Keith Cooke was awesome in China O'Brien. He pulled off one of the earliest triple kicks on two opponents -- that became his signature move. Donnie Yen would start using that move, as well.
Spoiler:
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
The Valiant Ones 4K for me.
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Trying to get their ducks in a row before VS releases their edition later...
We are thrilled to announce the confirmed SPECIAL FEATURES for the upcoming release of CHINA O'BRIEN I & II. Featuring exclusive interviews with three of the main leads, including CYNTHIA ROTHROCK, along with a treasure trove of extra content. Secure your copy of the DEFINITIVE 🇬🇧 Blu-ray edition now https://bit.ly/3U9dYlW or elevate your viewing experience with the DEFINITIVE 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray edition available for pre-order at https://bit.ly/3Ue51HR Don't miss out on this ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S SET! https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...6g&oe=65F7BD07 |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Eureka just announced Wong Jong’s Street Fighter II-inspired (but not really wink-wink because Wong was too cheap to pay for the rights) FUTURE COPS as a web store exclusive, limited to 1000 copies. This is a typical Wong Jing free-for-all that throws in everything and the kitchen sink; some stuff works, some stuff is pretty cringey, but the action is pretty solid, especially when everyone suits up (sorta!) at the end. And Chingmy Yau makes for a very appealing sorta-Chun Li. ;) This is probably a better-known title than many in Eureka’s catalog, so I’m curious why it has restrictions on it. Fear of Capcom perhaps?
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/dvdtalk...fa7152778.jpeg Inspired by Capcom’s smash-hit video game sensation Street Fighter II, Future Cops is a mash-up of martial-arts action, comedy and science fiction directed by Wong Jing (God of Gamblers) and featuring an impressive ensemble cast, including Andy Lau (Casino Raiders), Jacky Cheung (Once Upon a Time in China), Aaron Kwok (Throw Down), Chingmy Yau (Royal Tramp) and Simon Yam (PTU). In the year 2043, the evil crime lord The General (Ken Lo, Drunken Master II) has been imprisoned for his heinous crimes. His loyal followers Kent (Ekin Cheng, Young and Dangerous), Thai King (Billy Chow, High Risk) and Toyota (William Duen, Crime Story) have a plan to free him, though: they will travel back in time and eliminate the Judge who sentenced him. They are followed into the past by Lung (Kwok), Broomhead (Cheung), Ti Man (Lau) and Sing (Yam), “Future Cops” who intend to keep The General in jail where he belongs. But as both cops and criminals arrive in the year 1993 to search for the Judge – who back then was just a teenager – they find themselves embroiled not just in a battle for the future… but high-school drama, too. Released in 1993 (shortly after City Hunter, another Wong Jing film that draws upon the Capcom franchise), Future Cops beat the first official adaptation of Street Fighter into cinemas by a full year. Eureka Classics is proud to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK in this special edition. SPECIAL FEATURES
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
The website says why. The elements were a little below their standards and they weren’t allowed to work on the print.
This release of Future Cops is presented from a studio supplied HD transfer that Eureka had no involvement in. Sadly the master is just below the level of quality that we would normally expect. Despite our persistent efforts, the studio would not allow us to restore the film. As this may be the last opportunity for this cult classic to get a physical media release in the UK, we have decided to proceed but on a very limited number and as a Eureka store exclusive. We don’t believe that the slight imperfections in the feature master will affect your enjoyment of this wacky martial arts extravaganza. Please note that this will be the only physical release of this film that we will issue, there will not be a standard reissue to follow. |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Yeah, I read the listing more closely (after I posted part of it, of course) and saw that. Guess it makes sense. I have mixed feelings about it, though. I think when it comes to Hong Kong movies, especially, these boutiques might need to lower their ‘standards’ ever-so-slightly on occasion because there’s a lot of cool shit out there that just isn’t restorable to pristine condition (or is held by fussy parties), but might still sell more than 1,000 copies over time instead of having this sort-of forced scarcity built in. Not everything needs to a top-to-bottom makeover if a reasonably decent scan can be provided, which sounds like the case here. FUTURE COPS was a high-profile release and a sizeable hit in Hong Kong back in the day due, and I don’t recall any previous western releases outside of maybe Tai Seng in North America, which would’ve been a rebadged Hong Kong DVD anyway. If the master only has “slight imperfections” but is otherwise solid, as they suggest it is, just release it in the main line instead of increasing the odds that some people wont get one. I’m assuming any of the American boutiques wouldn’t fare much better on permissions for this film (if they bother). Oh well, who knows, maybe Eureka already struggles to sell a thousand copies of stuff they’ve released so far, so doing this ensures less excess stock sitting around for years. :)
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
I think it is more about not releasing a product to mass retailers that is below their standards and where people may complain. Sort of along the lines of why The Mystery of Chess Boxing was a bonus feature and not and individual release. If you make it a store exclusive, the people buying it directly will hopefully see the notice and proceed at their own discretion. Since they are not selling it widely, they went with a lower number.
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Oh I totally get why they’re doing it, and whatever works is fine by me, but I just feel that their ‘standards’ defence loses some weight with a film like this, where the master is in what sounds like really solid condition. CHESS BOXING was truly more of a ‘this is all that remains’ scenario, but I just did a quick skim of my Panorama Hong Kong Blu-ray of FUTURE COPS and the picture quality is frankly excellent (plus it has the mono soundtrack). Admittedly I can’t say that as a home theater expert with super-calibrated equipment, but I just think in some cases exceptions can be made, not unlike how Vinegar Syndrome does (along with other labels, if I’m not mistaken) when they’re upfront about using sources that are a step or two removed from the camera negative. It doesn’t seem to drastically affect the quantities they release, and their reputation for quality and curation remains unvarnished. Regardless, I’ll probably grab this soon enough, and then do it all over again when one of the U.S. labels takes a crack at it. :lol:
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Originally Posted by Brian T
(Post 14455525)
Oh I totally get why they’re doing it, and whatever works is fine by me, but I just feel that their ‘standards’ defence loses some weight with a film like this, where the master is in what sounds like really solid condition. CHESS BOXING was truly more of a ‘this is all that remains’ scenario, but I just did a quick skim of my Panorama Hong Kong Blu-ray of FUTURE COPS and the picture quality is frankly excellent (plus it has the mono soundtrack).
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Originally Posted by sleepyhead55
(Post 14456572)
Just out of curiosity is the film itself any good? I watched the trailer and it seemed like cheesy fun. I was also trying out to figure which Street Fighter characters each actor was supposed to be playing.
If you routinely buy/import any of Eureka’s lesser known titles, then this could rank close to some of those. The trick here, as always, is whether a U.S. label will release it again over here, or maybe there’s some kind of legal grey area in the U.K. that means they’ll be the only ones getting this. This guy makes a pretty good case for seeing it, and provides most of the necessary context (read: other shows Wong Jing ripped off for it) plus an excellent rundown of Wong’s methodology, which isn’t entirely unique to him in Hong Kong cinema, but which he did better than just about anyone: |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Just a quick FYI for those on the fence regarding FUTURE COPS, but Eureka and Diabolik have sold out. It's still available at Grindhouse Video for the time being (based on a limited allotment). Not sure if any other sites are carrying it, though.
https://grindhousevideo.com/products...dition-blu-ray |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Orbit still does too.
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Summer Sale – 25% Off
Offer Ends MONDAY 19th August, 10AM (BST) OR While Stocks Last. https://eurekavideo.co.uk/promotions...r-sale-25-off/ |
Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
I won’t go through the various HK-related discussions here to quote myself griping about all of these boutique labels ignoring – for decades, really – all of the 60’s spy movies (and other genres, including some fun contemporary musicals) from the Shaw Brothers library while endlessly focusing on the martial arts movies in that catalog, but I will say that set is insanely overdue, well chosen, and wisely presented as a triple feature instead of dragging out the process with singles of these lesser-known films in the west. Never thought I’d be able to upgrade my old IVL DVDs of these! Decent extras on the set, too, over and above the usual commentary:
SPECIAL FEATURES
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Eternal Rose is coming from Kani. I think it is getting announced on the 1st.
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Re: The Official Eureka / Masters of Cinema Thread
Originally Posted by dex14
(Post 14472327)
Eternal Rose is coming from Kani. I think it is getting announced on the 1st.
Should've posted this earlier, but Metrograph also has a nice interview with Tam on their site, which makes me hopeful that he was able to participate in supplements for his disc releases. https://metrograph.com/patrick-tam/ |
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