An edition describes a published version
The same commercial recording can appear in several countries, formats, years or reissues. Discogs documents those versions separately; JazzMesh counts 659,484 within its current scope.
That volume describes the material examined, but using it unchanged would artificially inflate catalogues and collaborations in many analyses.
A distinct record brings editions together
JazzMesh groups editions referring to the same discographic object when identifiers and reconstruction rules permit. The exploratory catalogue therefore presents 334,465 distinct records.
Grouping does not erase source editions. It creates a unit of analysis better suited to networks and comparisons.
Choose the right unit
Editions are useful when discussing material distribution. Distinct records reduce duplicates when counting collaborations or comparing catalogues.
Every JazzMesh publication states which unit it uses. That definition matters more than an isolated number.
