Aladdin Records
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1945 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Eddie Mesner, Leo Mesner |
| Defunct | 1961 |
| Fate | Acquired by Imperial Records |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Jazz, rhythm and blues, rock music recordings |
Aladdin Records originated as a record label and company created in Los Angeles in 1945 by siblings Eddie and Leo Mesner. Initially, the label operated under the name Philo Records before adopting the Aladdin name in 1946.
Philo Records
Under the Philo imprint, 78 RPM singles were issued featuring artists like Illinois Jacquet, Wynonie Harris, Helen Humes accompanied by the Bill Doggett Octet, Jay McShann, and Lester Young. Additionally, an album was released showcasing performances by Lester Young, Nat King Cole, and Red Callender.
Due to the U.S. Patent Office declining registration because of a name conflict with the Philco radio company, the label briefly changed to Medlee. Soon after, the brand was renamed Aladdin Records, maintaining its original release sequence and re-releasing previous Philo titles under the new branding.
Aladdin Records
Aladdin focused on genres such as jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock music. The company expanded through multiple subsidiary labels including Score (established 1948), Intro (1950), 7-11 (1952), Ultra (1955), Jazz: West (1955), and Lamp (1956). While many recordings took place in Los Angeles, a significant number were produced by Cosimo Matassa in New Orleans.
The label’s debut album featured Lester Young. Other distinguished musicians associated with Aladdin included Ernie Andrews, Charles Brown, Thurston Harris, Maxwell Davis, Al Hibbler, Billie Holiday, Lynn Hope, Jimmy Liggins, Gene & Eunice, Lightnin' Hopkins, Red Nelson known for "Mother Fuyer", and Illinois Jacquet. In 1961, Aladdin was acquired by Imperial Records, which itself was later purchased by Liberty Records. Subsequently, Liberty was absorbed by Capitol Records in 1979, with reissues being released on the Blue Note Records label.
See also
External links
- Aladdin Records collection within the Internet Archive's Great 78 Project
- Articles with short description
- American jazz record labels
- Rhythm and blues record labels
- Rock and roll record labels
- Soul music record labels
- Record labels based in California
- Defunct record labels of the United States
- Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles
- Record labels established in 1945
- Record labels disestablished in 1961
- 1945 establishments in California
- 1961 disestablishments in California