Record Label of the Week: Black Swan Records In the early 1920s, the American music industry was dominated by a handful of large companies that primarily featured white artists, leaving African American musicians with limited opportunities. It was within this context that Black Swan Records emerged, distinguishing itself as the…
Tag: 78rpm
Classic Musicians
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Cesare Sodero
Cesare Sodero and Sodero’s Band Cesare Sodero, a name that resonates with the golden age of early 20th-century music, was a remarkable conductor and composer who left an indelible mark on the musical world. Leading Sodero’s Band, he became a prominent figure on the Edison label, a powerhouse in the…
Vintage Record Labels
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Edison Records
I. The Origins of Edison Records Thomas Edison, known as “The Wizard of Menlo Park,” was a prolific inventor whose innovations profoundly shaped the modern world. Among his most significant inventions were the electric light bulb, the motion picture camera, and the phonograph. The phonograph, invented in 1877, marked a…
Vintage Record Labels
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Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records Founded in 1945 by brothers Eddie and Leo Mesner in Los Angeles, Aladdin Records became a cornerstone of the American music scene, renowned for its groundbreaking recordings and stellar roster of artists. Instrumental in shaping the soundscape of the mid-20th century, they brought to the forefront the soulful…
Vintage Record Labels
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Rex Records
Established in the 1930s, Rex Records became synonymous with a diverse array of musical styles, capturing the essence of an era marked by rapid technological advancements and dynamic cultural shifts. The label’s catalog boasted a variety of genres, from jazz and dance band tunes to classical and vocal performances, making…