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Mel Tormé With Marty Paich Orchestra
Prime Time

Album US on Hall Of Fame label
Jazz (Swing, Smooth Jazz, Big Band)

Article excerpt - seems likely this label was an unauthorized re-release Anyone who seriously collects mainstream jazz from the 1950s likely knows of or at least has heard of the Hall of Fame label. The first time I encountered a copy many years ago, it was immediately suspect as to its legitimacy. In researching the label, I was able to identify source recordings but not satisfactorily resolve the identity of the company that produced Hall of Fame issues. Material comes from two main sources: Jazztone Society issues that were sold by subscription, and Tops Records and its affiliate labels. I now suspect the Hall of Fame label may have been created specifically to sell Jazztone recordings in retail stores but under different imprints so as not to jeopardize the Jazztone Society subscription franchise. Jazztone is not mentioned on any of the albums, and unless a record buyer were well versed in the recordings offered by the Jazztone Society, it is highly unlikely a connection would be made between the two labels. Of the 33 LPs issued in the Hall of Fame "600 Jazz Greats" Series, 18 come directly from Jazztone. These are indicated in parentheses by album number. The author does not know if Hall of Fame licensed the recordings or not. Even if there is no mention on Hall of Fame product of "Jazztone" or "Concert Hall Society," which owned the Jazztone imprint, there is no proof either way these issues were bootleg. These LPs came out starting in 1957 while Jazztone was still a viable business and before it re-established in Switzerland as the center of a licensing franchise system. The last record released by Jazztone was in January 1958.

Musicians

	Mel Tormé voc, 1925-1999 US album by
	Marty Paich Orchestra , album by

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