For a number of years I've owned a four CD set entitled The Debut Records Story. It consists of a sample of the recordings produced by the company between 1952 and 1957, i.e., between Debut's debut recording of the Charles Mingus Quintet with Lee Konitz and its final recording of the Shafi Hadi Sextet. Debut Records was founded by Charles Mingus, his wife Celia, Max Roach, and Margo Ferraci.
The sound quality of these recordings is remarkable. The music has an exciting aspect to it that is not fund in many of today's recordings. The work of Thad Jones, John LaPorta, Miles Davis and Shafi Hadi is especially worth noting. I think the excitement of these recordings resides in their not having been properly heard heretofore. This is a result partially of the vinyl aspect and partially of the artists' control of the recording process. Unless WKCR-FM decided to devote a Sunday program to Debut Records, most of us wouldn't be aware of Debut Records. By my count there are twenty-seven titles in the Debut catalogue, the most famous of which is The Quintet: Jazz at Massey Hall featuring Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach. Everyone knows about this recording. The Debut recordings that have captured me are the artists who are not as well known (or are not known for their Debut recordings)---Kenny Dorham, Sam Most, John LaPorta, Wally Cirillo, Teddy Charles, Thad Jones. Shafi Hadi, Clarence (Gene) Shaw.
I had planned to go on. Instead I urge you to listen to the Debut recordings.
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