Next Two Pablo Titles Ship July 26th

Norman Granz's "underdog" label finally rises to the top

Tom Fine explains the history in the liner notes accompanying each of these Pablo reissues, that in 1960 label founder Norman Granz sold Verve Records to MGM and moved to Europe where he promoted concerts and collected art. When his non-compete agreement expired in the early '70s he noted that many of his jazz friends, who like him, were now older but hardly "washed up", were without recording contracts. Two, Ella and Oscar, he also managed.

You'll have to read the notes for the full story in the notes, detailing how the Pablo label began, but now you know the name's origin. These black and white cover albums, mostly recorded in the great studios by the finest engineers, never earned the deserved respect and fandom, but those in the know bought them when new and especially years later, even as the vinyl resurgence began, when they were available for ridiculously low dollars.

Some of these titles were among the earliest released by Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions but not as part of a coherent series with the story behind it being told. Until now.

The current Pablo Series cut all-analog now has the story behind the label well-told and a coherent release schedule. A new generation of jazz fans is definitely enjoying the discovery as the first series of Pablo releases was at or near the top of the Acoustic Sounds best sellers list. (Reviews of those coming up).

The next two titles coming July 26th are Dizzy Gillespie's Big 4 and Basie Jam, the latter, a long time audiophile fave recorded December 10th 1973 featuring the Count, plus Louis Bellson on drums, Ray Brown on bass, Irving Ashby on guitar, plus J.J. Johnson, Harry Edison, Eddie Davies and Soot Sims. These guys still had "it", whatever "it" is! The other title features Dizzy with Joe Pass, Ray Brown and Mickey Roker, recorded in 1974 and a fine Dizzy outing in a small group setting.

New From the Atlantic 75th Anniversary Series

The same mailer included the latest from the ongoing Atlantic 75th anniversary series: Willie Nelson's Shotgun Willie, Foreigner's 4 and Stone Temple Pilots Purple. The enormous success of the earlier STP Atlantic Series release Core took the Chadster by surprise! We have to wake up to the fact that there's been a generational shift in who's buying records and it's great news! Meanwhile, these Pablos have also found a new audience.