Mosaic Records has announced the launch of Mosaic Contemporary

[Lois Gilbert]

Mosaic Records has announced the launch of Mosaic Contemporary, an imprint label that will specialize in reissues and compilations from the annals of contemporary jazz. Mosaic Contemporary will be spearheaded by producer Matt Pierson, formerly of Warner Bros. Records, and will begin with the release of four titles on March 6th. The four releases that will mark the label’s beginning are as follows: new comprehensive compilations titled Ultimate Jaco Pastorius and Ultimate Earl Klugh, and reissues of Freddie Hubbard’s Super Blue and Hubert Laws’ timeless CTI recording of Afro-Classic.
Decisions on which albums to release will be made based on an artist’s contribution to the music and the recording’s place in the pantheon of American music. In a press release, label director Matt Pierson explained, “Our goal is to fill a significant void that exists in the jazz business.” Added Mosaic Records President Michael Cuscuna, “Since Mosaic is an independent company with independent distribution, we are in a position to give great jazz and adult music the treatment it deserves.”

[Ron Thorne]

This will be something to watch, and, hopefully "hear" with great interest.

[Vince Kargatis]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

the annals of contemporary jazz. ... The four releases that will mark the label’s beginning are as follows: new comprehensive compilations titled Ultimate Jaco Pastorius and Ultimate Earl Klugh, and reissues of Freddie Hubbard’s Super Blue and Hubert Laws’ timeless CTI recording of Afro-Classic.

Gack, I hate when the description "contemporary" (meaning, happening now) is used as a label, and here Mosaic is doing it. Bah. Making it that much more difficult to communicate accurately about the music.

[Robert de St. Loup]

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

Gack, I hate when the description "contemporary" (meaning, happening now) is used as a label, and here Mosaic is doing it. Bah. Making it that much more difficult to communicate accurately about the music.

I thought your complaint would be about "contemporary" (meaning smooth). But I know what you mean about time-dependent labels. Similar instances would be "modern," "post modern" and "avant-garde" (and "classic" and "traditional" too, for that matter).

[Vince Kargatis]

Well, "modern" (and subsequently, post-modern) in an academic sense is not that relative, relating to "modernism" and related trains of artistic work. I take "modern jazz" (when used non-colloquially) as referring to bop and bop-related post-war music, for instance. But "contemporary" is just too damn useful a word to have knowledgeable people like Mosaic abuse it. But I guess marketing trumps all.

[groover]

"Contemporary" seems appropriate for much of Earl Klugh's slick efforts, as he doesn't even really consider himself a jazz guitarist, according to AMG.

[Vince Kargatis]

"Contemporary" is appropriate because he's still a working guitarist whose last record was in 2005. The word certainly wouldn't descriptively apply to a reissue of his best known 70s work.

[guy]

Is this a joke?

Guy

[tristano's ghost]

Originally Posted by guy

Is this a joke?

Guy

No--I'll admit that the same thought crossed my mind, but I just called Mosaic & they confirmed the launch of the label.

[BFrank]

Not my choice of music, but I assume that it's an attempt to broaden Mosaic's appeal beyond hard-core jazz collectors.

[groover]

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

"Contemporary" is appropriate because he's still a working guitarist whose last record was in 2005. The word certainly wouldn't descriptively apply to a reissue of his best known 70s work.

It would if "contemporary" is a euphemism for smooth, wouldn't it? Hate to tell you, but I think that's the connotation they're aiming for. What's "adult" music, porn-film soundtracks?

I actually like some contemporary, crossover, jazz-pop, whatever you want to call it, particularly the '70's stuff, and I'm looking forward to their re-release of Hubert Laws "Afro-Classic" in February.

[Vince Kargatis]

Originally Posted by groover

It would if "contemporary" is a euphemism for smooth, wouldn't it?

That's why I used the word "descriptively", and distinguished that above from a "label".

[bernard lyons]

Looking at this news optimistically..if this imprint sustains the "classic" reissues as part of their business plan...thoughts anyone?

[Vince Kargatis]

I've no problem with the project at all, I'm sure they will generally pick tasty enough music to reissue. I'm just bitching about the marketing.