Savoy Records

US label; also appears as "Savoy" only; previously part of the Concord Music Group.
Label Code: LC 37345

For unofficial releases, see Savoy Records (4).
Savoy Records is an American record label founded in 1942 by Herman Lubinsky, specializing in Jazz, R&B and Gospel. Savoy played an important role in popularizing bebop, but concentrated on gospel recordings from the early 1960s onwards.

After Lubinsky's death, Arista Records, Inc. purchased the Savoy catalog in December 1975 from the Herman Lubinsky Estate. The first reissue released was in the Spring of 1976.
A decade later, the gospel music division's masters and contracts were sold to southern R&B/blues/gospel label Malaco Records Records in 1986. In 1991, the Savoy catalogue was acquired from [a258367] by [l65996] from Japan. Denon's parent, Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd., established the Savoy Label Group in 2002. The Savoy Label Group managed the Savoy catalogue until September 2017, when it was acquired by Concord Music.

For the companies, see:
-Savoy Record Co.
-Savoy Record Co., Inc.
-Savoy Records, Inc.

Note that many of the Savoy 12" LPs were reissued in the 1960s & 1970s. LPs released between 1950-1962 have "blood red" labels. The first release to solely sport "maroon" labels is MG-12169 (Sun Ra ‎– The Futuristic Sounds Of Sun Ra). However, due to the inconsistency of pressing plants, a few later releases have been found with "blood red" labels as well (most notably MG-12193, "The Marzette Watts Ensemble"). 1960s reissues of older titles will have "maroon" labels, 1970s "oxblood". All releases prior to Valdo Williams - 2819928 do not include a zip code or P.O. Box on the rear cover.

When Arista acquired Savoy, they used new labels for their Jazz reissues and Gospel releases/reissues:
1) The jazz label began with large lettered "Savoy" across the top with some instruments below (see [r7426266]).
2) The Gospel label had similar letters across the top, but with a music note below it (see [r19406986]). The label changed again in 1977 with this release [r5418484].

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Savoy in France:
A good example to understand variants is MG 12046 [m352905] released five times for each "period".

- since mid-50's : Savoy red labels [r10843805]
- mid-60's : [l114826] red labels [r3176458]
- 1969 to early 70's : [l13232] black or orange labels [r2731730]
- mid-70's Musidisc grey labels [r2981863]
- 1978 : Savoy/Arista red labels [r9025804]