Bethlehem label being reissued in US

[romualdo]

Relaunch of Iconic 1950’s Jazz Catalog, Bethlehem Records, Announced by Verse Music Group & Naxos of America

Classic Albums will be Restored & Remastered

for CD, Digital and 10” & 12” Vinyl Release

First Reissue Sets Debuts August, 27, 2013

Verse Music Group & Naxos of America are happy to announce the reissue of iconic 1950’s Jazz catalog, Bethlehem Records.

Bethlehem Records’ lengthy discography contains over 250 albums that freshly and ambitiously captured an era of music, including West Coast Cool Jazz and East Coast Bop. Bethlehem Records roster of artists includes Nina Simone, Carmen McRae, Chris Connor, Mel Torme, Dexter Gordon, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, and Duke Ellington. For some of these legendary artists, the Bethlehem recordings represent their classic debuts, and still for others, their greatest recorded work to date.

Each track has been restored from the original analog sound recording & digitally remastered to meet the highest level of clarity and quality standards. For the first time in decades, each of the titles will be available in their original configuration in LP vinyl, CD and digital formats.

Titles slated for an August 27th, 2013 release include Oscar Pettiford "Modern Quintet," Chris Connor "Chris Connor Sings Lullaby’s For Lovers," Dexter Gordon "Daddy Plays The Horn," Charles Mingus "The Jazz Experiments of Charles Mingus," Nina Simone "Little Girl Blue," and Booker Ervin "The Book Cooks.”

Bethlehem Records progressive cover art truly revolutionized the jazz market. Each release includes fully restored, original artwork and liner notes.

In support of the relaunch, limited edition apparel, vinyl bundles and pre-sales will be available at select retailers and the Bethlehem Records webstore Facebook tab in an exclusive partnership with leading international merchandise & licensing company, Backstreet Merch. Follow Bethlehem Jazz on Instagram here for the latest Burt Goldblatt inspired T-Shirt designs and join the Jazz Exclusives community here..

Twenty select titles will be exclusively available in the Bethlehem Records iTunes store at 8/27 launch including:

• Art Blakey –“Art Blakey Big Band”

• Bobby Scott – “Great Scott”

• Booker Ervin – “The Book Cooks”

• Booker Little – “Booker Little and Friend”

• Charles Mingus – “The Jazz Experiments of Charles Mingus”

• Chris Connor – “Sings Lullabys For Lovers”

• Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams – “Motor City Scene”

• Dexter Gordon – “Daddy Plays The Horn”

• Mel Torme & Frances Faye – George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess”

• Howard McGhee – “Dusty Blue”

• John Coltrane – “In The Winners Circle”

• Johnny Hartman – “Songs From The Heart”

• Mel Torme – “Songs For Any Taste”

• Nina Simone – “Nina Simone And Her Friends”

• Nina Simone – “Little Girl Blue”

• Oscar Pettiford – “Modern Quintet”

• Paula Castle – “Lost Love”

• Sam Most – “Sam Most Plays Bird, Bud, Monk and Miles”

• Stan Levy – “Grand Stan”

• Zoot Sims – “Down Home”

Releases that will be part of the 12-month relaunch in LP, CD and Digital format include:

August 27, 2013

BCP 1003: Oscar Pettiford – “Modern Quintet” (CD & 10”)

BCP 1002: Chris Connor – “Sings Lullabys For Lovers” (CD & 10”)

BCP 36: Dexter Gordon – “Daddy Plays The Horn” (CD & 12”)

BCP 65: Charles Mingus – “The Jazz Experiments” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6028: Nina Simone – “Little Girl Blue” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6048: Booker Ervin – “The Book Cooks” (CD & 12”)

October 29, 2013

BCP 6051: Zoot Sims – “Down Home” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6056: Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams – “Motor City Scene” (CD & 12”)

BCP 1030: Bobby Troup – “The Songs of Bobby Troup” (CD & 10”)

January 29, 2014

BCP 1027: Helen Carr – “Down In The Depths Of The 90th Floor” (CD & 10”)

BCP 43: Johnny Hartman – “Songs From The Heart” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6040: Mel Torme & Frances Faye – George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6041: Nina Simone – “Nina Simone and Her Friends” (CD & 12”)

March 26, 2014

BCP 6045: Mal Waldron – “Left Alone” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6055: Howard McGhee – “Dusty Blue” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6061: Booker Little – “Booker Little and Friend” (CD & 12”)

May 28, 2014

BCP 71: Stan Levey – “Grand Stan” (CD & 10”)

BCP 6064: Roland Kirk – “Third Dimension” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6031: Mel Torme – “Songs For Any Taste” (CD & 12”)

July 29, 2014

BCP 1004: Bobby Scott – “Great Scott” (CD & 10”)

BCP 6069: Eddie Davis – “The Best of Eddie Lockjaw Davis” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6024: John Coltrane – “In The Winners Circle” (CD & 12”)

BCP 6027: Art Blakey – “Art Blakey Big Band” (CD & 12”)

BCP 1010: Vinnie Burke – “East Coast Jazz 2” (CD & 10”)

BCP 1036: Paula Castle – “Lost Love” (CD & 10”)

About Bethlehem Records: Formed by Gus Wildi in the 1950s, Bethlehem Records includes an impressive roster of artists such as Nina Simone, Carmen McRae, Chris Connor, Mel Torme, Dexter Gordon, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, and Duke Ellington. Bethlehem Records’ legacy is a lengthy discography that freshly and ambitiously captures and preserves an era of truly great music, including West Coast Cool Jazz and East Coast Bop. For more information about releases and merchandise visit the Bethlehem Records website here.

About Verse Music Group:

Verse Music Group is a global entertainment company based in New York City founded by award-winning music industry veterans Curt Frasca and Sabelle Breer in 2010.

Verse Music Group owns over 50,000 copyrights through the acquisition of iconic brands and music catalogs such as, Salsoul Records, West End Records, Bethlehem Records and Golden Records and featured songs by artists Rod Stewart, Nina Simone, Jennifer Lopez, John 5, Avril Lavigne, Commodores, Tupac, and Celine Dion among many others. Read more about Verse Music Group here.

About Naxos of America: Naxos, the world’s leading classical music label is known for recording exciting new repertoire with exceptional talent. The label has one of the largest and fastest growing catalogues of unduplicated repertoire available anywhere with state-of-the-art sound and consumer-friendly prices. The catalogue includes classical music CDs and DVDs as well other genres such as jazz, new age, educational and audiobooks. Visit the Naxos of America website here.

[king ubu]

Good, but these are mostly the most obvious choices ... not sure I can be bothered to get the ones I don't yet have (Bobby Scott, Paula Castle, Bobby Troup).

And rather obviously from the weird lingo, these will omit the bonustracks that made some of the Rhino/Avenue reissues ... thinking of the Sims or the Mingus "Modern Symposium" (not included here).

I might get a few of these to compare (I've only got some Charly version of Dexter's very good "Daddy Plays the Horn", for instance).

The Helen Carr, btw, might not be too well-known, but is easily - and strongly - recommended. However, there, too, the Rhino/Avenue disc held both her albums and hence to my knowledge her complete (leader) output.

[jazzbo]

Interesting that they are offering 10" and 12" as well as cd. I'm in for a few of the first batch on cd.

[JSngry]

[JSngry]

[felser]

Wish they would look at the realities/opportunities of the CD era, and release sets by artist, not individual titles. I pretty well have what I really want from this label, as much of it has been out twice already.

[paul secor]

I'l pass. There might be one or two that I have in not as good sound as I might like, but, in general, I'm good with what I have.

[mjzee]

As I recall, when Bethlehem reissues came out in the late '70's, they were owned by Salsoul. So I think the only news here is they're now distributed by Naxos.

Still waiting for Stan Levey's "This Time The Drum's On Me."

[king ubu]

Actually, what's the story of the Mingus material? On Period and on Bethlehem, how come?

Thanks for the Paula Castle vids ... nice enough, for sure!

Still waiting for Stan Levey's "This Time The Drum's On Me."

Oh, that one was part of the Rhino/Avenue series - very nice album!

I'm game for "Grand Stan" - I mixed those two up!

[Stonewall15]

MJZEE- Bethlehem Stan Levey "This Time The Drum's On Me" was released by Avenue Jazz #R2-76683 in 2001. Commonly available on Amazon and eBay.

[mjzee]

Thanks...I actually have most of it on a Fresh Sound release that combined the two Bethlehem Dexters, but they left off one track. I find the Levey album more enjoyable and notable than "Daddy Plays The Horn" (though I like that too).

[J.A.W.]

Most of the Bethlehem CDs I have were released by Toshiba (TOCJ) in the late 1990s/early 2000s. The sound is pretty harsh, at least to my ears. Maybe this new series has better sound, or perhaps I should try the earlier Rhino reissues.

Edited August 16, 2013 by J.A.W.

[Rooster_Ties]

Fascinating that Naxos and Verve are teaming up on something like this.

[J.A.W.]

Fascinating that Naxos and Verve are teaming up on something like this.

Verse, not Verve.

http://versemusicgroup.com/bethlehem-records

Edited August 16, 2013 by J.A.W.

[David Ayers]

Thanks for posting. Some of these are already listed on uk amazon - benefit of naxos distribution!

[JSngry]

As I recall, when Bethlehem reissues came out in the late '70's, they were owned by Salsoul.

Sorta, but not exactly..."International Jazz Emporium - Bethlehem Records - Distibuted by Caytronics - A Cayre Industries Company"...which was the Cayre Brothers who did found Salsoul, but who had already been involved in the record business prior to so doing.

http://www.discogs.com/label/Caytronics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsoul_Records

http://hem.bredband.net/funkyflyy/salsoul/story.html

http://businessprofiles.com/details/cayre-industries-inc/NY-382527

That "International Jazz Emporium" is what stands out to me...what kind of a shell was that?

[jazztrain]

Looks like mostly the same old stuff.

There are some interesting Bethlehem titles that never seem to get reissued, such as the Dick Wetmore, the Milt Hinton, the Sam Most and Aaron Sachs albums, and the two albums by the Six to name a few, although it's possible that Fresh Sound may have covered some of these.

The Hank D'Amico on Bethlehem seems to be out at last in Japan.

Some of the listed titles look like they may be downloads only.

[gmonahan]

I'm just glad to see SOME kind of reissue series coming. If it survives (a big if), less well-known stuff may eventually see the light of day. I have most of the Bethlehems I'd want.

gregmo

[felser]

I'm just glad to see SOME kind of reissue series coming. If it survives (a big if), less well-known stuff may eventually see the light of day. I have most of the Bethlehems I'd want.

gregmo

If the CTI reissue series couldn't survive, I don't have much hope for this one, especially if go-forward decisions are made on sales of CD titles being released for the third time. I've never heard good sound quaiity on any of the Bethlehem material, regardless of who was issuing in and in whatever format.

[sgcim]

Looks like mostly the same old stuff.

There are some interesting Bethlehem titles that never seem to get reissued, such as the Dick Wetmore, the Milt Hinton, the Sam Most and Aaron Sachs albums, and the two albums by the Six to name a few, although it's possible that Fresh Sound may have covered some of these.

The Hank D'Amico on Bethlehem seems to be out at last in Japan.

Some of the listed titles look like they may be downloads only.

Aaron gave me a burned copy of the Bethlehem LP he made with Jimmy Raney and Hall Overton, so Fresh Sound probably put that one out.

[Bill Nelson]

Verse/Naxos moved on Bethlehem's catalog 15 years too late to make a profit -- and 10 years to break even on manufacturing physical product.

(Unless they made numbered limited edition gold disc CDs personally remastered by Kevin Gray or Steve Hoffmann.)

[romualdo]

for me the "dark horse" of the label is the Dick Wetmore 10" - a wonderful quartet session (Wetmore vln, Ray Santisi p, Bill Nordstrom b, Jimmy Zitano b) consisting of Bob Zieff compositions/arrangements (he was actively involved)

Dick Twardzik was supposed to have played on this session (he was present at Wetmore's rehearsals) but it didn't transpire - Jack Chambers discusses this LP in his book on DT

Luckily I have a burn from a 10" - listening to this & then Chet Baker's versions of the same titles is a revelation

Don't think this has ever had an official CD or 12" LP release - if you have any interest in Bob Zieff, this is essential IMHO

I do hope they release this one

[Big Beat Steve]

Looks like mostly the same old stuff.

There are some interesting Bethlehem titles that never seem to get reissued, such as the Dick Wetmore, the Milt Hinton, the Sam Most and Aaron Sachs albums, and the two albums by the Six to name a few, although it's possible that Fresh Sound may have covered some of these.

The Hank D'Amico on Bethlehem seems to be out at last in Japan.

Some of the listed titles look like they may be downloads only.

Aaron gave me a burned copy of the Bethlehem LP he made with Jimmy Raney and Hall Overton, so Fresh Sound probably put that one out.

That sounds like the LP on the RAMA label ("Clarinet & Co."), not the Bethlehem LP which had Urbie Green, Danny Bank, Barry Galbraith, Clyde Lombardi and Osie Johnson.

And yes - the RAMA LP was reissued by Fresh sound both on vinyl and CD.

Otherwise, I agree with jazztrsin. Lots of obvious items there that have already been reissued a couple of times whereas others seem to be overlooked constantly.

[JohnS]

Mmm, not much from the west coast in the initial list.

[sgcim]

Looks like mostly the same old stuff.

There are some interesting Bethlehem titles that never seem to get reissued, such as the Dick Wetmore, the Milt Hinton, the Sam Most and Aaron Sachs albums, and the two albums by the Six to name a few, although it's possible that Fresh Sound may have covered some of these.

The Hank D'Amico on Bethlehem seems to be out at last in Japan.

Some of the listed titles look like they may be downloads only.

Aaron gave me a burned copy of the Bethlehem LP he made with Jimmy Raney and Hall Overton, so Fresh Sound probably put that one out.

That sounds like the LP on the RAMA label ("Clarinet & Co."), not the Bethlehem LP which had Urbie Green, Danny Bank, Barry Galbraith, Clyde Lombardi and Osie Johnson.

And yes - the RAMA LP was reissued by Fresh sound both on vinyl and CD.

Otherwise, I agree with jazztrsin. Lots of obvious items there that have already been reissued a couple of times whereas others seem to be overlooked constantly.

I never saw the vinyl, but you're probably right, because it was called "Clarinet & Co."