JSP Records
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JSP Records is a record label founded in 1978 by John Stedman (John Stedman Productions). Based in London, England it predominantly releases remastered CDs of public domain jazz and blues recordings. JSP's releases typically undergo extensive manual cleanup meaning that they have become renowned for good quality releases. The JSP series of box sets revolutionised the re-issue market a few years ago and continue to set a standard which few other re-issue labels are able to attain. Often, a lot of their releases of older music are recordings for which no master exists, meaning they have to be taken from contemporary record releases. In the case of the old Paramount recordings (Charley Patton, Blind Blake, etc.) the original records were made from Shellac which made them unusually susceptible to damage. JSP's releases from this material, while still sounding poor compared to modern recordings, are usually considered the ultimate re-issues for these recordings.
Their release of Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives and Sevens recordings is often considered to be one of the most essential jazz releases available. Their releases of Django Reinhardt's old recordings are considered to be the best in terms of quality. Their aim of re-releasing every track Django released in superior sound quality is one of the re-issue highlights of the past decade and the new series of definitive Fats Waller box sets will stand alongside those in terms of quality.
JSP Records has also spent the last 30 years making new and original recordings by some of the greatest creative artists of the Blues and Jazz scenes, many of these recordings made in the U.S.A. Buddy Guy, Professor Longhair, Jimmy Witherspoon, Larry Garner, Carey Bell, Michael Hill, Illinois Jacquet, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Jay McShann, Guitar Shorty are just a few of the names who have undoubtably made their best albums for JSP. New recordings continue with a recent stunning studio set by Elmore James Jr.