Overview

Taylor had previously founded Impulse Records and worked for Verve Records, and had earned a reputation as a respected producer of jazz albums. His productions for CTI shared a characteristically warm, soft ambience and helped establish smooth jazz as a commercially viable musical genre. The label also became well known for its characteristic album sleeve designs, many of them featuring vivid photographic images by Pete Turner.^[1][2]

Among the label's prominent artists were George Benson, Deodato, Freddie Hubbard, Wes Montgomery, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Bob James and Larry Coryell. A subsidiary label of CTI, Kudu, was launched in 1971 and was oriented more towards soul jazz. Its roster of artists included Grover Washington, Jr., Hank Crawford, and Idris Muhammad. Don Sebesky created most of the arrangements for the label and every session featured some of jazz's finest players-- Ron Carter appeared on nearly every recording and Herbie Hancock was frequently on piano.

CTI Records declared bankruptcy in 1978,^[3] but most of its catalog has remained in print. CTI's post-A&M Records output is now owned by Sony BMG Music Entertainment and distributed by Epic Records, while Grover Washington Jr.'s Kudu albums have been reissued on Motown's MoJazz imprint. In addition Bob James' four CTI albums are owned by him, and Seawind also owns their CTI back catalog. Meanwhile the A&M releases are now distributed by Verve Records, a division of Universal Music Group.

CTI Labels

• CTI (Main label)
• Kudu (CTI's sister label)
• Salvation (Gospel label)
• Three Brothers (A short-lived pop label)

See also

• List of record labels

External links

• CTI Records - label history, artist roster, Billboard Pop and AC Chart performance, and photo gallery (1967-1970).
• A CTI Records discography

References

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