The Very Best Of Prestige Records (Prestige 60th Anniversary) March 24th

[WMP] Audio Streams:
Sonny Rollins - "Tenor Madness"
Eric Dolphy - "Les"
Red Garland - "Hey Now"
Pat Martino - "Waltz For Geri"
Wes Montgomery - "D Natural Blues"

The Very Best Of Prestige Records is a 2-CD set of classic tracks from the legendary label’s catalog featuring the iconic Jazz artists of the ‘50s and ‘60s; John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Eric Dolphy, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, and more. The new 'must have' collection features 25 essential Prestige tracks, and is packed with classic photographs covering a 20-year span from 1949-1969, truly representing Prestige’s golden era.

Featured artists include Gene Ammons, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Eric Dolphy, Dexter Gordon, Lee Konitz/Lennie Tristano, MJQ, Thelonious Monk, James Moody and Sonny Rollins.

Produced by Nick Phillips, the compilation of instrumental imporvisational music features music by a who's who of the jazz world in the '50s and '60s.

When producer Bob Weinstock founded Prestige Records in 1949, little did he know that his tiny independent recording company would become iconic in documenting an era when jazz was in its golden age. While the label also recorded blues and folk music in its lifetime, Prestige was primarily known as the label that stood for high-premium jazz throughout its active history. Its legacy continued first as a reissue imprint with Fantasy Records and today with the Concord Music Group.

The Very Best of Prestige Records opens a wide window on a 20-year period when jazz made great evolutionary strides, from bebop to soul jazz. Phillips says, “As we toast the 60th anniversary of Prestige, we offer this collection as an appetizer, knowing full well that it can’t help but whet your appetite for much, much more of the tasty and ageless musical offerings available from the iconic label.”

In addition, the Prestige birthday celebration will continue with three series of Rudy Van Gelder Remasters reissues as well as audio podcasts where the legendary engineers reflects on the early days of the Prestige label and its various artists.

Also planned is Prestige Records: The Collected Album Cover Art, published by noted music historian Geoff Gans. To be sold through the Concord Music Group Web site, the book will showcase the most memorable Prestige album covers.

DISC ONE
1. Subconscious-Lee 2:48
2. I'm In The Mood For Love 4:24
3. I Want To Be Happy 7:39
4. Blue Monk 6:17
5. Airegin 4:57
6. Django 7:03
7. Tenor Madness 12:15
8. St. Thomas 6:45
9. If I Were A Bell 8:15
10. My Funny Valentine 6:04
11. Hey Now 3:41
12. I Love You 5:28
13. Why Was I Born? 3:15
DISC TWO
1. Very Saxy 8:16
2. Lotus Blossom (aka: Asiatic Raes) 4:36
3. Hittin' The Jug 8:27
4. March On, March On 4:45
5. Les 5:45
6. Plum Blossom 4:59
7. Three For Dizzy 5:14
8. Soul Shoutin' 5:42
9. Misty 6:00
10. Waltz For Geri 6:21
11. Fried Bananas 6:05
12. More Today Than Yesterday 3:46

Best selling smooth jazz at amazon.com
Jazz from Amazon.com