Limelight

Multinational label. Label Code: LC 0601 / LC 00601 A Mercury subsidiary, inaugurated in 1962 to commission jazz works by well-known artists, such as Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Art Blakey, Milt Jackson, etc. Also including the Limelight Series statement on some covers and labels on European releases. The label also set new standards in packaging, expanding the concept of the traditional record cover with hitherto unseen constructions, many of these designed by Daniel Czubak (releases 86001-86046). An announcement in the December 12, 1964, issue of Billboard magazine, page 3: Mercury Record Corporation is converting Limelight Records to an exclusive jazz label. The announcement came Dec. 1 from I. B. Green, Mercury president. Current Mercury and Philips jazz artists such as Oscar Peterson, Roland Kirk, Dizzy Gillespie and Gerry Mulligan will be shifted to the new label. Several recordings from the EmArcy jazz catalog will be reissued by Limelight. The policy changed abruptly to electronic and avant-garde music from LS 86047 onward. This was also expressed by a change in label design (see scans). The last few releases tried to incorporate rock within the electronics strategy, at times producing some erratic results.