Extra Stuffs: Japan Releases

The Complete Keynote Collection (Nippon Phonogram 18PJ-1051/71)

This 21-LP awesome box, released in 1986, again was a fine result from Mr. Kiyoshi Koyama's detailed excavation and investigation.

Keynote label was originally promoted by Eric Bernay in 1940. Then in 1943, a legendary producer Harry Lim started Jazz recordings. Since then, for a short period until 1947, Harry recorded too many historical, legendary, and awesome Jazz recordings. Such legendary recordings were made by Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Red Norvo, Teddy Wilson, all of whom were too popular and established at that time. However on the other hand, Harry Lim gave many chances for leader sessions, to fine underappreciated musicians and to so-called “studio musicians” - Joe Thomas, Milt Hinton, Jonah Jones, Charlie Shavers, Corky Corcoran, Willie Smith, Red Rodney, Babe Russin, Lennie Tristano, et al. - And all of the recordings are nothing but great.

Probably the most famous Keynote recordings would be Lester Young's awesome earliest leader session in 1943 (except the trio session of 1942 with Nat King Cole, but unissued until 1945), and Lennie Tristano's first leader session in 1946.

In 1948, Keynote label was sold to Mercury, to avoid bankruptcy. Since then, many of fine Keynote recordings were re-issued in LP format under Mercury label and EmArcy label (most of them were 10-inch). That is why I insert Keynote box on this Mercury site.

By Mr. Koyama's unbelievable and hardest investigations, this great box contains as much as 334 takes, including newly discovered 115 takes, which were previously unissued. A 40-page booklet contains introduction by Harry Lim himself, a detailed commentaries by Dan Morgenstern and Bob Porter, and fully detailed recording datasheet.

Same as V.S.O.P. Album, a special bonus side-A-only EP comes with this box. It contains Lennie Tristano's unreleased tune “Untitled Blues”.

This awesome box is, just like an heirloom for us Jazz listeners.