Bethlehem Records

US label founded in the early 1950's by Swiss-born [a3686059] (also known as Gustav Wildi). Also appears as "Bethlehem" only.
Label Code: LC 0098 / LC 00098
After failing to make it in the pop market, Wildi under the influence of [a=Creed Taylor] (1954-56) changed the labels focus to jazz. Bethlehem distinguished itself as label by granting the artists creative control and being among the first to focus on album art, often designed by [a=Burt Goldblatt]. After making the label an important artistic nest for jazz artists like [a=Nina Simone], [a=Carmen McRae], [a=Chris Connor] and [a=Mel Tormé], in 1958 Wilde gave the major label [l=King Records (3)] half ownership as payment for distribution and in 1962 Wildi sold King Records the second half of Bethlehem Records. Label art at a point had the same layout as King Records.

In 1976, [l282757] purchased the Bethlehem Jazz label. In the January 22, 1977 issue of Billboard, in a 10th anniversary report on [l493094], the Caytronics parent company, the purchase was described "one of Caytronics' most ambitious projects of last year was the purchase of the pace -setting Bethlehem jazz label. It has achieved the re- establishing of this internationally famous jazz label to its former esteem and predominance within the recording industry."

Cayre Corp produced and distributed the 15-volume [l1572478] compilation series as well as a number of individual artist releases. The compilation series was not electronically processed for stereo and were issued in monaural as originally issued.

It is now owned by [l763523] (VMG).

For unofficial releases, see [l=Bethlehem Records (3)]