The Birth of Bop 10-Inch 5LP Box Set From Craft Recordings Celebrates a Pioneering and Truly Influential Jazz Series From Savoy Records Originally Released in 1952-53

In 1949, jazz impresario and eventual Verve Records founder Norman Granz realized a vision to document the burgeoning jazz music scene of that moment in time. He was passionately involved in creating a special edition audio documentary-flavored release called, appropriately enough, The Jazz Scene, a super deluxe limited edition numbered package of 78s featuring new works by many of his favorite artists, with all of it housed in custom original artwork. Today, those original sets are very rare, and still highly sought after by collectors (like me!).

Perhaps inspired by Granz’s visionary effort, beginning in 1952 and extending into 1953, the legendary Savoy Records label issued a series of albums with a similar feel and function. In a project likely masterminded by original sessions producer and label A&R tastemaker Teddy Reig, The Birth of Bop was a bit more everyman-oriented than the fancy, leather-bound, high-end product Granz created. Savoy’s five-volume 10-inch LP series, however, was no less vital — and, taken as a whole, in some ways is perhaps more essential listening overall. Together, these recordings present a fine snapshot of many movers and shakers in the bebop music-making universe of the times. (Many of these players, in fact, were also some of the hottest musicians around at that moment.)

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On March 31, the good folks at Craft Recordings and parent company Concord Music (the owners of the Savoy Records catalog) will be issuing a fantastic super deluxe edition box set celebrating the 80th anniversary of the label, featuring all five of those rare volumes in the original The Birth of Bop series. Each of these albums are presented as beautiful, high-quality productions, featuring cardboard cover construction and glossy laminated finishes. More than just “re-productions,” these new editions are arguably but likely far superior to the originals. (More on that in a moment.)

I’ve got to be honest with you, folks — I actually teared up a bit when I opened this package, upon taking out the first disc and realizing the records were packed in a simple brown paper inner-sleeve akin to the kind of sleeves that existed back in the 1940s and 1950s for housing 10-inch records. In the early days of 78s, these discs often came wrapped in brown paper sleeves like these — sometimes with label art printed on them. Honestly, I would be very surprised if the original pressings of The Birth of Bop actually had any inner sleeve at all. Save for those from Capitol Records, most of-era 10-inch LPs I have found in the wilds of cratedigging were just slipped into the cardboard cover without any additional protection for the disc.

Regardless, the brown sleeves here are really a nice touch, underscoring the fact that the producers of The Birth of Bop box set are thoughtful, knowing, and understanding of the record collector’s mindset.

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The vinyl pressings herein — from GZ in the Czech Republic, reportedly one of the only facilities that still manufactures 10-inch LPs — are excellent. These standard-weight black vinyl discs are very quiet, and they sound terrific. And, yes, they are well-centered. Again, these lovely little LPs are likely to be far superior to an original edition of The Birth of Bop, even if you happen to have access to a truly mint condition copy.

The SRP for this new box set is $99.99. For more perspective on that, I took a look on Discogs, which revealed that, as of this posting, only one copy of Volume 1 in “Near Mint” condition is available, and from a seller in Switzerland — hence, the cost just for that one disc would run you $50 plus $25 for shipping. There are three copies of Volume 2 available in “VG” or less condition, with only one in the U.S. selling for $46 plus shipping. Only one copy of Volume 3 is in “G+” condition ($35 with shipping). Meanwhile, Volume 4 isn’t even listed — effectively meaning no one who owns a copy has even posted or confirmed its existence as of yet — and there are exactly zero copies of Volume 5 available. For additional comparison, there haven’t been any copies of these records available on Popsike since 2017, nor are there are any copies on eBay at this time either.

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All of that should give you some idea of the scarcity of these records. It should also give you some perspective that the $99.99 SRP for the new The Birth of Bop box set is a truly great value. [A pre-order link for The Birth of Bop box set can be found further below, just before the tracklisting section that’s near the end of this review—MM]

Given how scarce these records are — I have never come across a copy in all my years of cratedigging, let alone even seen one in a store! — I would not be surprised to learn if these albums had only been issued in certain key jazz markets back in the day, and sold in limited quantities. Once they were gone, they were probably gone. That said, records on the Savoy label were distributed across the country, so there may be original copies still out there in the wilds, if you are prepared to dig — or, better yet, you could just wait and preorder a copy of this fine box set first. [You can also get a further taste of what to expect in the Bop box overall via the videoclip below—MM]

The recording quality across this new The Birth of Bop box is generally outstanding and remarkably consistent, especially given that many of these original monaural recordings were made in the 1940s, and likely in different sessions and studios. This collection was remastered from, according to box set producer Nick Philips, “hi-res digital copies, originally transferred from a variety of different analog sources” by engineer Joe Tarantino.

I can only imagine Tarantino had his work cut out or him to get all these different-sourced tracks sounding consistent for an end-to-end listen, as if they emerged from one session. Given that many, if not most of these recordings were made in the pre-magnetic tape era, I would imagine they originally came from a variety of sources, including possibly original Birth of Bop LPs, original Savoy 78s, and/or transcription discs — or perhaps even original metal pressing plates, if some of the latter even survived over the years. Whatever the case, everything here sounds really good, all things considered, with remarkably full-sounding bass, and midranges in particular.

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There’s also a wonderful booklet that comes with the box detailing the background on the collection, as well as offering track-by-track annotation that tells you exactly who is on these songs, and why they were included. There’s a lot of material and information to go through, but reading this booklet is like taking a mini jazz history class in its own right. The Birth of Bop booklet features some amazing photography of these artists in their prime, including a fantastic shot of Tadd Dameron with Fats Navarro, along with photos of the very-young-looking Dexter Gordon and Stan Getz. A great pic of original Savoy Records producer Teddy Reig is also included.

As far as my favorite tracks on this collection go, one of the seminal tracks that opens up the album is Charlie Parker’s classic with Tiny Grimes, “Romance Without Finance.” This1944 tune featuring Grimes on guitar and lead vocal has long been a favorite of mine from the Charlie Parker catalog. (You can also find it on Savoy’s excellent mid-’70s Bird / The Savoy Recordings (Master Takes) LP collection and the 1978 box set, The Complete Savoy Studio Sessions.)

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I’ve enjoyed discovering the music of a once-acclaimed artist who was nearly consumed by the scene, Allen Eager. Online commentary proffers he was right alongside Stan Getz and Zoot Sims in terms of talent, yet how did I miss noticing his presence on other artists’ sessions? It appears Eager, like Charlie Parker and too many other artists from that period, apparently developed a bad heroin habit that ultimately scared him away from the instrument — and the music scene — after Parker’s death in 1955. (Further online research informs me that Eager appears not only as a character named Roger Beloit in Jack Kerouac’s 1958 book The Subterraneans, but that he also played with Charles Mingus and Frank Zappa during his lifetime. These latter details I will no doubt be researching much more firsthand.)

There are many tunes more I’m still discovering — and rediscovering — along the way while listening to The Birth of Bop, including tunes by then-young boppers like Dexter Gordon, J. J. Johnson, Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Fats Navarro, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Don Byas, and so many more. Overall, I am very pleased with The Birth of Bop — and, again, am very encouraged by its release on numerous levels. It is simply fantastic Craft Recordings is taking the time to honor this rich music history as culled from their jazz archives by releasing this key slice of it in such a high-standard volume that is The Birth of Bop. Bravo!

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I’ve also got to admit my inner record-collecting geek is seriously geeking out in anticipation of what might unfold in the months ahead, once this Bop collection is officially released into the marketplace. As I outlined earlier, there are not that many copies of the original records around, and I suspect a fair amount of the heavy jazz collectors out there may have been holding onto them for perhaps sentimental reasons, in hopes of someday getting a nice quality reissue like this box set.

And now that this reissue is indeed on the way — and likely better-sounding than those originals — we may start to see some well-loved “OG” pressings show up out in the wilds. Perhaps the prices will even come down on those discs being sold online. I, for one, still want to get my hands on some of them if possible, just to experience that side of The Birth of Bop history — especially to compare and contrast the sound with this new edition.

All that aside, the bottom line is this — if you love classic jazz and bebop in particular, and you want to experience this important music in a manner close to what it might have been like in the early 1950s, The Birth of Bop is an absolute essential must-have for your vinyl collection.

(Mark Smotroff is an avid vinyl collector who has also worked in marketing communications for decades. He has reviewed music for AudiophileReview.com, among others, and you can see more of his impressive C.V. at LinkedIn.)

Music Direct Buy It Now

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THE BIRTH OF BOP
Five 10-inch LPs (Savoy/Craft Recordings)

The Birth of Bop, Volume 1
Side A
1. Charlie Parker: Romance Without Finance
2. Dexter Gordon: Dexter’s Minor Mad
3. J. J. Johnson: Jay Bird

Side B
1. Milt Jackson: Hearing Bells
2. Leo Parker: Chase ‘N’ Lion (Chase ’n The Lion)
3. Stan Getz: Stan’s Mood

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The Birth of Bop, Volume 2
Side A
1. Fats Navarro: Hollerin’ And Screamin’ (Fatso)
2. Allen Eager: Church Mouse
3. Kai Winding: Always

Side B
1. Don Byas: Byas A Drink
2. J. J. Johnson: Jay Jay
3. Dexter Gordon: Long Tall Dexter

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The Birth of Bop, Volume 3
Side A
1. Budd Johnson: Little Benny (King Kong)
2. J. J. Johnson: Mad Be Bop
3. Milt Jackson: Bubu

Side B
1. Leo Parker: Solitude
2. Stan Getz: Don’t Worry ’Bout Me
3. Fats Navarro: Maternity (Lard Pot)

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The Birth of Bop, Volume 4
Side A
1. Allen Eager: Donald Jay
2. Kai Winding: Saxon
3. Budd Johnson: Dee Dee’s Dance

Side B
1. J. J. Johnson: Coppin’ The Bop
2. Milt Jackson: Junior
3. Dexter Gordon: Dexter Digs In

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The Birth of Bop, Volume 5
Side A
1. Allen Eager: Unmeditated
2. Leo Parker: The Lion’s Roar (Lion Roars)
3. Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis: Stealin’ Trash

Side B
1. Roy Porter: Pete’s Beat
2. Serge Chaloff: Pumpernickel
3. Morris Lane: Blowin’ For Kicks

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COMMENTS
culturcide's picture

No offence MM, but your constant interjections seem like a Karen editing a student's work. Maybe save them to the end of the piece as an 'editor's note'.

Mike Mettler's picture
Actually, I am offended at being called a Karen, so the "no offense" preamble instead resulted in the opposite effect. But I do take your point. Maybe it's more akin to me "editorsplaining"? #levity

Other publications/sites use footnotes for adding in information of this nature. These parentheticals are meant to be informational, directly in relation to the subject matter that surrounds them. The intention is certainly not to be scolding. That's not what we do here. That said, if the parentheticals don't come across in the right way, then I'll consider another option for how to present them in a way that comes across as being less intrusive, such as the aforementioned footnotes idea. Fair enough?

ivansbacon's picture

Count me as one who finds the "interjections" as completely distracting, halting, frequently unnecessary and frustrating to the point that i do not want read anything you write. (or what others have written with your editorial interjections interrupting the flow of THEIR article)

Reading a WELL written article is akin to driving a Red Barchetta on winding valley road, the senses focused, the brain and body tuned to the interplay of the machine and road and then all of a sudden, around a corner and big ole pot hole is right where you intended to be so you have to brake and/or swerve and the flow/pleasure is interrupted and sometimes you just cant get it back, especially if the road is riddled with pot holes.

Perhaps interjecting into your own articles is not "Karen" but interjecting your input into other writers articles absolutely feels like it to the reader. A smart editor will try understand his/her readers and make the appropriate decisions to keep them coming back.

"Drive like the wind
Straining the limits of machine and man
Laughing out loud
With fear and hope,
I’ve got a"
screeeech, pothole.

Mike Mettler's picture
...no, but tell me how you really feel...

Bonus points for schooling -- or should that be scolding -- me with Rush lyrics, no less.

Regardless of which way the interjectionary wind blows through our collective hair, the goal here is not to turn off AP readers by any means. We are here to share our love of all things analog, help everyone make informed purchasing decisions when it comes to new gear and to vinyl, and share suggestions about what to listen to next.

Tom L's picture

MM's interjections have never bothered me. Sometimes they add information, sometimes they are just personal notes from experience. One thing I know for sure, as soon as someone says "no offense intended" there's some sort of insult on the way.

rich d's picture

I find his commentary funny and illuminating but À chacun son goût as the Hungarians say. Possibly.

You should all count your blessings! Imagine if this site had passed into less capable hands (mine, for example - heaven forfend).

Mike Mettler's picture
I can certainly attest to hearing "Meddler" for "Mettler" countless times growing up, that's for sure... #morelevity

My preferred reference point re most anything Meddle-related was released on Harvest in October 1971.

Anton D's picture

The Meddler. Has another assistant with a mechanical arm with a knob that transports him back home on demand. Otto Return is his name.

Henchmen: Warp and Sratch. One sharp thinking and the other is a perverted.

Accompanied by a bass barking Newfi (you know his name) and higher pitched bird (you know her name.)

A cape of carbon fiber, a costume made from woven Kevlar, maybe hemp fiber.

Lives in a dwelling made of MDF

rich d's picture

We've crossed the Rubicon and somehow landed in Hollywood.

While I'm reluctant to peer farther into the mind of Anton, I feel compelled to ask: does the Meddler have theme music?

Mike Mettler's picture
Fun fact: I did, in fact, make a one-panel cameo in a DC comic book in the late 1980s. Not kidding. Marv Wolfman and George Perez (RIP) wrote in/drew in a few of us who ran a popular fanzine at the time (actually, they were called "apazines" in those days) in cameos at a certain major character's wedding. None of us knew about it beforehand, as it was Marv and George's way of saying thanks to their fanbase. I was given one line of dialog too.
Anton D's picture

The Meddler’s theme, hmmmmmm….

“What’s He Building In There,” by Tom Waits.

Mike Mettler's picture
...theme song approved! Love Tom Waits -- "What's He Building" is a great song from Mule Variations, which, come to think of it, is an LP in storage and not in the domicile at present.

Also, when it comes to the costume, let's have either Gary Frank or Nick Dragotta design it.

decameron's picture

Is this re-issue cut in mono or stereo? Thanks

rich d's picture

Stereo recording existed in the early 1950s (and earlier) but as a consumer product stereo wasn't a thing until 1957-ish. Before the pedants start deploying their index fingers, I will point out that there were exceptions such as a few classical tapes as early as (if memory serves) 1954.

Mike Mettler's picture
Rich is correct. Relative to that, in terms of further historical context, the first print issue of HiFi & Music Review was February 1958, the magazine that soon enough became HiFi Stereo Review and then the title was shortened to Stereo Review. True, Audio Engineering, which became Audio, and High Fidelity both preceded Stereo Review, but 1957-58 is really when the stereo movement was born.

Perhaps we should consider running a "mono / stereo" primer at some point as both a refresher and an introduction for new readers... thoughts on that?

rich d's picture

but you might flesh it out a bit to show how recorded sound evolved (acoustical recording > electrical recording > tape > multitrack > mono > stereo > digital etc.) By the way, the foregoing was intended as an example, not a strict chronology nor a comprehensive list. That should keep the trolls at bay.

It's worth noting (and I'm sure you will if you write the article) that most "improvements" in technology introduce new problems while solving some old ones. Then we fix the new problems and reveal newer problems. Meanwhile, records (a 130-year-old technology) and the means of reproducing them, keep getting better.

HiFiMark's picture

Me thinks a little too angsty perhaps?

I am not bothered in the least by your interjections Mike and I find the complaints about them rather curious. This is a website dedicated to something fun that we all love, right? If we were reading Dostoevsky and you interrupted well, OK, complain away people. But a record review? There's a lot to rue in this world, but editor interjections in an enthusiast website doesn't seem to rise to that level IMHO.

I really enjoy this website, with or without editor interjections.

purrecs's picture

Considering that Mosaic issued its 10-CD set Classic 'Savoy Be-Bop Sessions 1945-49' not many years ago, this is just a stupid collectors' set for hipsters. Sure, it lacks the Charlie Parker Savoys, but Mosaic wisely excluded them. Mosaic figured that anyone with a basic jazz library already owns those seminal sides and shouldn't need to buy them again.

liguorid42's picture

I love vinyl, I do buy re-issues, and I am interested in this material. But why 10"? Why was it pressed in 10" in the first place? First, my SOTA's hold down won't work with them. Second, it increases the risk of mis-cueing and landing my stylus onto the record mat. Back in the day, a lot of people were using players with undersized platters let alone cheaper, replaceable styli, minimizing the second issue.

I do have one treasured 78RPM 10" Benny Goodman set. It won't play on the SOTA, so the first issue is irrelevant. I do worry when I play it, which is rare (haven't yet dubbed it), that the Shure V15 78 stylus is no longer, to my knowledge, replaceable (though a suitable replacement cartridge could probably be found for a lot less than the Blue Point Special on my SOTA).

I don't find MM's interjections to be particularly distracting, or not useful. Years ago at Stereophile (before MF joined, I think) editor Larry Archibald (LA) used to interject constantly, until readers called him on it.

Tom L's picture

The 10" discs may have made sense for the original release, although I doubt it, but there's no reason for Craft to be recreating them now.

Mike Mettler's picture
My view on the 10-inch decision -- Craft wanted to recreate the original Birth of Bop series packaging as it essentially was. At some point, they could probably endeavor to repackage the box set for the 12-inch format on, what -- 2LPs, maybe 3LPs max...?
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