Bethlehem Records & Pledge Music Launch Vault Recordings

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Verse Music Group & PledgeMusic Join Forces to Reissue its Vault of Iconic Recording such as John Coltrane’s In The Winners Circle From Bethlehem Records.

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Verse Music Group  will be re-releasing four iconic albums from its Bethlehem Records catalogue through a PledgeMusic direct-to-fan preorder. The classic albums to be released through the PledgeMusic platform are Stan Levey’s Grand Stan, Bobby Scott’s Great Scott, Eddie Davis’ The Best of Eddie Lockjaw Davis and John Coltrane’s In the Winners Circle.

 

Pledge Today!  By participating in this exclusive preorder through PledgeMusic, fans will also be able to enjoy PledgeMusic exclusives such as limited edition apparel, vinyl bundles, posters, t-shirts and more including exclusive footage from the vaults of these legendary VMG brands. Starting with Bethlehem Records, Jazz enthusiasts will be able to enjoy tracks restored from the original analog sound recording and digitally remastered to meet the highest level of clarity and quality standards. The experience will allow fans a behind-the-scenes update in the release process. Pledge your support now at:

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/johncoltrane
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/bobbyscott
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/eddielockjawdavis
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/stanlevey

All projects list here.

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Verse Music Group Founder and CEO, Curt Frasca looks forward to his company’s partnership with PledgeMusic. “Verse Music Group has always been about acquiring value brands and creatively growing those brands internally as well as partnering with forward thinking companies that deliver results. PledgeMusic’s platform is unique in offering a true “fan to artist experience” which offers Verse insight into what products fans truly want.”

Benji Rogers, CEO and Founder of PledgeMusic commented: “We are delighted to be working with Verse Music Group and look forward to bringing their iconic artists and albums to the PledgeMusic community. Our direct-to-fan approach is delivering clear benefits to music labels of all genres and continues to win new partners in the industry such as Bethlehem Records and Verse Music.”

Happy Birthday, Zoot Sims!

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Tenor saxophonist “Zoot” Sims grew up during both the Swing era and the early years of Bop where he absorbed the basic roots of Jazz. In honor of what would’ve been his 88th birthday, we are offering a free download medley of his 1960’s recording of "Down Home."

His playing contains the heartbeat that represents all of the Jazz periods making “Down Home” an enjoyable and consistently swinging set. Also featured on this album is pianist Dave McKenna, bassist George Tucker and drummer Dannie Richmond.

"Down Home" has been remastered from the original analog tape recordings and is available on 180-Gram vinyl, CD and exclusively selected as part of the “Mastered for iTunes" program. Enjoy your free download here. 

High Fidelity Sound: Bethlehem Records iTunes Store Exclusive

Twenty Select Bethlehem Records titles are exclusively available in high fidelity sound as part of the Mastered For iTunes program.

Nina Simone, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane & more were remastered from original analog recordings and available in high resolution sound for the first time in decades.

Bethlehem Records’ Titles Available

Twenty select titles are available as Mastered for iTunes albums in the Bethlehem Records iTunes store.

Titles include…

Nina Simone “Little Girl Blue”, Charles Mingus ”The Jazz Experiments Of Charles Mingus”, Oscar Pettiford ”Oscar Pettiford Modern Quintet”, Chris Connor “Sings Lullabys For Lovers”, Dexter Gordon “Daddy Plays The Horn” and Booker Ervin “The Book Cooks” are currently available in their original configuration in LP Vinyl & CD formats as part of the August 27th, 2013 relaunch.

Bethlehem Records Relaunch!

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

Classic Albums will be Restored & Remastered for CD, Digital and 10” & 12” Vinyl Release.

First Reissue Sets Debuts August, 27, 2013

Bethlehem Records’ Discography

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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,”
  •  Booker Ervin “The Book Cooks.” 

 

Iconic Cover Art

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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 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.