VA - Hommage à Nesuhi - Atlantic Jazz A 60th Anniversary Collection (2008)

To mark the 60th anniversary of Atlantic Records -- one of the most influential independent music companies of all time -- Rhino Handmade has issued several boxed sets spotlighting styles of music popularized by the legendary label. With Hommage A Nesuhi, a 5-CD survey of Atlantic's jazz output, it can truly be said we've saved the best for last. Drawing its name from the founder of Atlantic's jazz division, Nesuhi Ertegun, Hommage A Nesuhi contains 61 songs recorded between 1955-76 that spotlight the magnificent collection of world-class, one-of-a-kind artists that make the Atlantic jazz catalog the singular body of work that it is. The collection comes packaged in a deluxe 10" x 10" slipcase containing an 84-page hardcover book as well as a portfolio of 19 photo cards, each featuring a previously unpublished image of an Atlantic Jazz artist taken by legendary photographer Lee Friedlander. The music is arranged thematically on the five CDs. The first and last discs of the collection (subtitled “Some Atlantic Jazz” and “Some More Atlantic Jazz”) feature selections from some of the first artists Ertegun signed-Milt Jackson, Chris Connor, and The Modern Jazz Quartet-as well as later finds like Mose Allison, Eddie Harris, and The Charles Lloyd Quartet, featuring future star pianist Keith Jarrett. “Shades Of Blue” acknowledges Ertegun's fondness for the blues, spotlighting tracks he produced for Ray Charles, Big Joe Turner, LaVern Baker, and Hank Crawford. “Live” presents 10 exceptional concert performances, including two from Rahsaan Roland Kirk, plus Les McCann and Eddie Harris tearing through “Compared To What” at the 1969 Montreux Jazz Festival. “On The Edge” focuses on the groundbreaking jazz that found a home at Atlantic Records starting in 1959, when Ertegun signed John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. Hommage A Nesuhi is produced by Joel Dorn, who was mentored by Nesuhi Ertegun and succeeded him as Atlantic Records' jazz producer in 1967. This outstanding boxed set was the last project Dorn ever worked on (he passed away the day after putting the final touches on the track list and liner notes), making it a fitting tribute to both men.