Muse Records

Label founded in 1972 by Joe Fields in New York City (operated as a sub-label of Blanchris, Inc.). Fields, former Prestige Records executive, partnered with producer Don Schlitten after running Cobblestone Records (jazz subsidiary of Buddah). Fields acquired Cobblestone from Buddah and transformed it into an independent operation. Many Cobblestone artists followed: Norman Connors, Neal Creque, Carlos Garnett, Pat Martino, alongside Prestige veterans like Sonny Stitt and Eric Kloss. Sister label Onyx Records operated for experimental releases. First releases included Roy Brooks' "The Free Slave" (recorded 1970, released 1972) and Kenny Barron's debut "Sunset To Dawn" (1973), establishing Muse's aesthetic of quality straight-ahead jazz. The distinctive turquoise double-headed lyre logo became iconic.

Most prolific period with label releasing over 200 albums through the decade. Houston Person became the most recorded artist, eventually appearing on 50 releases. Signature sound emerged: sophisticated hard bop and soul-jazz recorded primarily at Rudy Van Gelder's Englewood Cliffs studio with mastering/cutting at Bell Sound and pressing at PRC Richmond, Indiana. Major releases: Phil Woods' "Musique Du Bois" (1974), João Donato/Eumir Deodato's "DonatoDeodato" (1973), Al Cohn/Zoot Sims' "Body And Soul" (1973), Sonny Stitt's "12!" (1973). Brazilian connection flourished with Dom Um Romao's self-titled debut (1974). Carlos Garnett's spiritual jazz masterpiece "Cosmos Nucleus" (1976) and Buster Williams' "Pinnacle" (1975) showcased fusion ambitions. Vocalists Eddie Jefferson and Mark Murphy became label staples. Fields split with Schlitten in 1978, who founded Xanadu Records.

Fields took sole control and maintained Muse as a significant hard bop label through the decade. Late 1970s partnership with Dutch Timeless Records created Timeless Muse distribution. Steady stream of releases from Houston Person, Pat Martino, Richie Cole, Cedar Walton, Charlie Earland, Larry Coryell, and Woody Shaw. Mid-1980s acquisitions: Fields purchased both Savoy and Landmark Records labels, expanding the catalog significantly. Label earned Grammy nominations and won two awards during this period. By the end of the 1980s, vinyl production effectively ceased as the label transitioned to CD format.

Label continued prolific output into the 1990s with artists like "Papa" John DeFrancesco, Antoine Roney, and Japanese pianist Akio Sasajima (including collaborations with Joe Henderson and Ron Carter). Maintained commitment to straight-ahead jazz while documenting established and emerging talents. From 1972 until 1995, Muse released around 400 recordings. Fields sold Muse to 32 Jazz (owned by Joel Dorn) in 1996, then founded HighNote Records and Savant Records in 1997 with son Barney Fields. Many Muse artists followed Fields to these new ventures.

32 Jazz repackaged and reissued extensive Muse catalog through early 2000s. In 2003, Savoy Jazz (subsidiary of Nippon Columbia) acquired rights to entire Muse catalog (along with Landmark) from 32 Jazz. Modern reissue programs by Soul Brother Records and BBE introduced Muse's deep catalog to new generations. October 2024: producer Zev Feldman launched Time Traveler Recordings' "Muse Master Edition Series" with 180-gram vinyl reissues of Roy Brooks' "The Free Slave", Kenny Barron's "Sunset To Dawn", and Carlos Garnett's "Cosmos Nucleus", with quarterly releases planned from Woody Shaw, João Donato, Clifford Jordan, Joe Chambers. Label recognized as one of most significant post-1960s American jazz labels, documenting continuation of hard bop and soul-jazz traditions when major labels abandoned experimental jazz for fusion. Joe Fields passed away July 12, 2017 at age 88.