CTI Records
| Company type | Independent record label (formerly division of A&M Records) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, Record label |
| Predecessor | A&M Records (division) |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Creed Taylor |
| Defunct | 1984 (initially), reestablished in 1989 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy in 1978; continued operations until 1984; reestablished in 1989 |
| Successor | None |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Creed Taylor, Don Sebesky, Bob James, David Matthews, Rudy Van Gelder, Pete Turner |
| Products | Jazz albums, jazz fusion albums |
| Owner | Sony (post-A&M catalog), others for sub-labels and artists' catalogs |
| Parent | None (independent after 1970) |
CTI Records (short for Creed Taylor Incorporated) is a jazz-focused record label established in 1967 by Creed Taylor. Originally launched as a division of A&M Records, it gained independence by 1970. The label’s inaugural release was guitarist Wes Montgomery’s album A Day in the Life. The last issuance, performed live by the CTI Jazz All-Star Band at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2009, was made available in 2010 on CD, DVD, and Blu-ray formats.
The label’s artist lineup included influential figures such as George Benson, Ron Carter, Eumir Deodato, Astrud Gilberto, Freddie Hubbard, Bob James, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hubert Laws, Airto Moreira, Stanley Turrentine, and Walter Wanderley.
History
Arranger Don Sebesky played a pivotal role in shaping CTI’s signature sound, later joined during the mid-1970s by Bob James and David Matthews. The majority of recording sessions were engineered by Rudy Van Gelder at his renowned Van Gelder Studio, featuring musicians such as Ron Carter, Eric Gale, Herbie Hancock, Bob James, along with drummers like Billy Cobham and Steve Gadd.
CTI experienced commercial acclaim with albums like Deodato’s Prelude, which climbed to No. 3 on the US Billboard albums chart in 1973. Its track "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)" reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 and No. 7 in the UK charts. Additional successful singles included Bob James’ "Feel Like Making Love" and Esther Phillips’ disco hit "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes".
Among other prominent releases were Grover Washington Jr.’s Mister Magic and Feels So Good—both securing Top 10 positions in 1975—Esther Phillips’ What a Diff'rence a Day Makes (No. 32), and Bob James’ BJ4 (No. 38).
Taylor’s production efforts contributed significantly to establishing jazz fusion as a commercially successful genre. CTI also became known for its unique album artwork, largely featuring photography by Pete Turner.
After launching CTI under A&M Records, Taylor transitioned it to an independent entity in 1970. The company also managed several sub-labels: Kudu Records specialized in soul jazz with artists such as Joe Beck, Hank Crawford, Grant Green, Idris Muhammad, Esther Phillips, Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Grover Washington Jr.; Salvation Records issued ten albums including those by Airto and Gábor Szabó; Greenestreet showcased artists like Jack Wilkins and Les McCann; while Three Brothers featured The Clams and Lou Christie.
A distribution partnership with Motown ended amid legal and financial challenges in 1977, which led to bankruptcy proceedings in 1978. Nevertheless, CTI continued operations until 1984 with releases from Ray Barretto, Urszula Dudziak, Jim Hall, Roland Hanna, Nina Simone, and the studio ensemble Fuse One.
In 1989, Taylor reestablished CTI, collaborating once more with Van Gelder and Turner for the all-star project Rhythmstick, released in 1990 across multiple formats. The label signed rising talents like Charles Fambrough, Jim Beard, Ted Rosenthal, Bill O'Connell, Donald Harrison, Steve Laury, Jurgen Friedrich alongside veteran Larry Coryell. Coryell’s collaboration with Don Sebesky yielded the best-selling album Fallen Angel, which reached No. 18 on Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart in 1993.
Ownership of CTI’s post-A&M catalog (1970–1979) resides with Sony, distributed in the US by Masterworks Jazz; exclusive distribution rights in Japan belong to King Records. Grover Washington Jr.’s Kudu recordings have been reissued by Motown/MoJazz through Universal Classics & Jazz. Bob James retains control over his four CTI albums via Evolution Music Group under license from Tappan Zee Records. The band Seawind manages their own CTI back catalog. Releases originally under A&M’s subsidiary are distributed by Verve through Universal Music Group.
In 2009, Taylor oversaw a remastered reissue series of twenty CTI titles for the Japanese market on SHM-CD format featuring new liner notes authored by prominent jazz critics. Additional reissues followed in December 2013 and December 2017 with expanded selections commemorating CTI’s 50th anniversary.
3000 Series
Between 1967 and 1970, Creed Taylor produced the CTI 3000 Series, which A&M released featuring a "CTI" emblem on the album covers.
| Mono Catalog Number | Stereo Catalog Number | Artist | Album Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP 3000 | Various Artists | Audio Master Plus Series Sampler Volume 1 | |
| LP 2001 | SP 3001 | Wes Montgomery | A Day in the Life |
| LP 2002 | SP 3002 | Antonio Carlos Jobim | Wave |
| LP 2003 | SP 3003 | Herbie Mann | Glory of Love |
| LP 2004 | SP 3004 | Tamba 4 | We and the Sea |
| SP 3005 | Nat Adderley | You, Baby | |
| SP 3006 | Wes Montgomery | Down Here on the Ground | |
| SP 3007 | Artie Butler | Have You Met Miss Jones? | |
| SP 3008 | Kai Winding and J. J. Johnson | Israel | |
| SP 3009 | Soul Flutes | Trust in Me | |
| SP 3010 | Richard Barbary | Soul Machine | |
| SP 3011 | Tamiko Jones | I’ll Be Anything for You | |
| SP 3012 | Wes Montgomery | Road Song | |
| SP 3013 | Tamba 4 | Samba Blim | |
| SP 3014 | George Benson | Shape of Things to Come | |
| SP 3015 | Paul Desmond | Summertime | |
| SP 3016 | Kai Winding and J. J. Johnson | Betwixt & Between | |
| SP 3017 | Nat Adderley | Calling Out Loud | |
| SP 3018 | Walter Wanderley | When It Was Done | |
| SP 3019 | Milton Nascimento | Courage | |
| SP 3020 | George Benson | Tell It Like It Is | |
| SP 6-3021 | Various Artists | Audio Master Plus Series Audio Sampler, Vol. 2 | |
| SP 3022 | Walter Wanderley | 'Moondreams' |
| Catalog Number | Artist | Album Title |
|---|---|---|
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Continuation of the CTI 3000 Series | ||
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SP 3023 |
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SP 3024 |
Paul Desmond |
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SP 3025 |
George Benson |
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SP 3026 |
Hubert Laws |
Unreleased |
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SP 3027 |
Kai Winding and J. J. Johnson |
Stonebone (Initially issued only in Japan; reissued in 2020 as a Record Store Day red vinyl) |
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SP 3028 |
George Benson |
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SP 3030 |
Quincy Jones |
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SP 3031 |
Antonio Carlos Jobim |
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1000 Series
In 1970, Creed Taylor separated CTI from A&M to operate independently, launching the green-labeled 1000 Series which included the initial five album releases. This collection broadened its scope beyond jazz, incorporating artists from various musical styles.
{ }| CTI 1004 { }| CTI 1005| Catalog Number | Artist | Album Title |
|---|---|---|
| CTI 1001 | Kathy McCord | Kathy McCord |
| CTI 1002 | Hubert Laws | Crying Song |
| CTI 1003 | Flow | Flow |
| Dave Frishberg | Oklahoma Toad | |
| Fats Theus | Black Out |
6000 series
Issued from 1970 to 1976, the CTI 6000 series was identified by an orange CTI label with black lettering; quadraphonic editions were distinguished by a red label. Subsequent pressings were released under Motown’s distribution, which can be recognized by an S1 suffix appended to the catalog number.
... [list continues] ...| Catalog number | Artist | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CTI 6000 | Hubert Laws | Crying Song (Reissue of CTI 1002) |
| CTI 6001 | Freddie Hubbard | Red Clay |
| CTI 6002 | Antonio Carlos Jobim | Stone Flower |
| CTI 6003 | Joe Farrell | Joe Farrell Quartet |
| CTI 6004 | Bill Evans | Montreux II |
| CTI 6005 | Stanley Turrentine | Sugar |
| CTI 6006 | Hubert Laws | Afro-Classic |
| CTI 6007 | Freddie Hubbard | Straight Life |
| CTI 6008 | Astrud Gilberto | Gilberto with Turrentine |
| CTI 6009 | George Benson | Beyond the Blue Horizon |
| CTI 6010 | Stanley Turrentine | Salt Song |
| CTI 6011 | Kenny Burrell | God Bless the Child |
| CTI 6012 | Hubert Laws | The Rite of Spring |
| CTI 6013 | Freddie Hubbard | First Light |
| CTI 6014 | Joe Farrell | Outback |
| CTI 6015 | George Benson | White Rabbit |
| CTI 6016 | Randy Weston | Blue Moses |
| CTI 6017 | Stanley Turrentine with Milt Jackson | Cherry |
| CTI 6018 | Freddie Hubbard | Sky Dive |
| CTI 6019 | Jackie and Roy | Time & Love |
| CTI 6020 | Airto | Free |
| CTI 6021 | Eumir Deodato | Prelude |
| CTI 6022 | Hubert Laws | Morning Star |
| CTI 6023 | Joe Farrell | Moon Germs |
| CTI 6024 | Milt Jackson | Sunflower |
CTI Twofer series
Between 1972 and 1974, the CTI Twofer series was issued, comprising double albums.
| Catalog number | Artist | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CTX 3+3 | Hubert Laws | In the Beginning |
| CTX 2+2 | CTI All-Stars (George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Hubert Laws, Stanley Turrentine, Hank Crawford, Johnny Hammond, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Airto) | California Concert - The Hollywood Palladium |
5000 Series
Introduced in 1975, the 5000 Series consisted of eight albums within the popular music genre. While Creed Taylor produced only a select few titles, other projects were overseen by producers such as Harvey Mason for Seawind and David Grusin alongside Larry Rosen for Patti Austin. Early editions displayed a "P.S." ("Pop Series") emblem incorporated into the CTI logo.
| Catalog number | Artist | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CTI 5000 | Lalo Schifrin | Black Widow |
| CTI 5001 | Patti Austin | End of a Rainbow |
| CTI 5002 | Seawind | Seawind |
| CTI 5003 | Lalo Schifrin | Towering Toccata |
| CTI 5004 | John Blair | We Belong Together |
| CTI 5005 | David Matthews | Dune |
| CTI 5006 | Patti Austin | Havana Candy |
| CTI 5007 | Seawind | Window of a Child |
7000 Series
After concluding its Motown distribution arrangement, CTI proceeded with the 7000 Series, continuing the sequence established by the 6000 Series.
| Catalog number | Artist | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CTI 7070 | Urbie Green | The Fox |
| CTI 7071 | Hubert Laws | The San Francisco Concert |
| CTI 7073 | Art Farmer | Crawl Space |
| CTI 7074 | Bob James | BJ4 |
| CTI 7075 | Jeremy Steig | Firefly |
| CTI 7076 | Various Artists | CTI Summer Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl - Live One |
| CTI 7077 | Various Artists | CTI Summer Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl - Live Two |
| CTI 7078 | Various Artists | CTI Summer Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl - Live Three |
| CTI 7079 | Urbie Green with Grover Washington, Jr. and David Matthews' Big Band | Señor Blues |
| CTI 7080 | Art Farmer with Yusef Lateef and David Matthews' Big Band | Something You Got |
| CTI 7081 | Deodato | 2001 (Reissue of CTI 6021) |
| CTI 7082 | Yusef Lateef | Autophysiopsychic |
| CTI 7083 | Art Farmer / Jim Hall | Big Blues |
| CTI 7084 | Nina Simone | Baltimore |
| CTI 7085 | George Benson | Space |
| CTI 7086 | Patti Austin | Live at the Bottom Line |
| CTI 7087 | Art Farmer with Joe Henderson | Yama (Japan-only release) |
| CTI 7088 | Yusef Lateef | In a Temple Garden |
| CTI 7089 | Art Farmer | Live in Tokyo |
8000 Series
Introduced in the late 1970s, the 8000 Series featured reissues of earlier albums from both CTI and Kudu catalogs. These re-releases sometimes presented new titles and cover designs, with some gatefold sleeves replaced by standard single sleeves.
| Catalog number | Artist | Title | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTI 8000 | Airto | 'Free' (later retitled as 'Return to Forever') (Reissue of CTI 6020) | ||||
| CTI 8001 | Ron Carter | 'Blues Farm' (Reissue of CTI 6027) | ||||
| CTI 8002 | Joe Beck | 'Beck & Sanborn' (Reissue of KU-21 under Beck) | ||||
| CTI 8003 | Joe Farrell | 'Moon Germs' (Reissue of CTI 6023) | ||||
| CTI 8004 | Milt Jackson | 'Sunflower' (Reissue of CTI 6024) | ||||
| CTI 8005 | Joe Farrell | 'Outback' (Reissue of CTI 6014) | ||||
| CTI 8006 | Stanley Turrentine | 'Sugar' (Reissue of CTI 6005) | ||||
| CTI 8007 | George Benson | 'Beyond the Blue Horizon' (Reissue of CTI 6009) | ||||
| CTI 8008 | Stanley Turrentine | 'Salt Song' (Reissue of CTI 6010) | ||||
| CTI 8009 | George Benson | 'White Rabbit' (Reissue of CTI 6015) | ||||
| CTI 8010 | Stanley Turrentine | 'Cherry' (Reissue of CTI 6017) | ||||
| CTI 8011 | Stanley Turrentine | 'Don't Mess With Mister T.' (Reissue of CTI 6030) | ||||
| CTI 8012 | Jim Hall | 'Concierto' (Reissue of CTI 6060S1) | ||||
| CTI 8013 | Airto | 'Virgin Land' (Reissue of SAL 701) | ||||
| CTI 8014 | George Benson | 'Take Five' (Reissue of CTI 6045S1 as Bad Benson) | ||||
| CTI 8015 | Hubert Laws | 'The Chicago Theme' (Reissue of CTI 6058S1) | ||||
| CTI 8016 | Freddie Hubbard | 'Red Clay' (Reissue of CTI 6001) |
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CTI 8017 | Freddie Hubbard | 'First Light' (Reissue of CTI 6013) |
| CTI 8018 | unissued | unissued | ||||
| CTI 8019 | Hubert Laws | 'Afro-Classic' (Reissue of CTI 6006) | ||||
| CTI 8020 | Hubert Laws | 'The Rite of Spring' (Reissue of CTI 6012) | ||||
| CTI 8021 | Deodato | 'Prelude' (Reissue of CTI 6021) | ||||
| CTI 8022 | Freddie Hubbard | 'Straight Life' (Reissue of CTI 6007) |
9000 Series
Launched in 1980 and initially released through CBS Records, the independent 9000 Series started with the iconic orange label reminiscent of earlier editions. By 1981, the label transitioned to a white background featuring a redesigned logo, and in 1983, George Benson's archival album Pacific Fire was distinguished by a silver label.
| Catalog number | Artist | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CTI 9000 | Art Farmer with Joe Henderson | 'Yama' (US version of CTI 7087) |
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Kudu
Established by Creed Taylor in July 1971, the Kudu label focused on soul jazz and produced a total of 39 albums from 1971 through 1979. It is recognized as a sister imprint to CTI.
| Catalog number | Artist | Title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KU-01 | Johnny Hammond | Breakout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-02 | Lonnie Smith | Mama Wailer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-03 | Grover Washington, Jr. | Inner City Blues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-04 | Johnny Hammond | Wild Horses Rock Steady | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-05 | Esther Phillips | From a Whisper to a Scream | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-06 | Hank Crawford | Help Me Make it Through the Night | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-07 | Grover Washington, Jr. | All the King's Horses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-08 | Hank Crawford | We Got a Good Thing Going | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-09 | Esther Phillips | Alone Again, Naturally | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-10 | Johnny Hammond | The Prophet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-11 | Eric Gale | Forecast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-12 | Grover Washington, Jr. | Soul Box Vol. 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-13 | Grover Washington, Jr. | Soul Box Vol. 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-14 | Esther Phillips | Black-Eyed Blues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-15 | Hank Crawford | Wildflower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-16 | Johnny Hammond | Higher Ground | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-17 | Idris Muhammad | Power of Soul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-18 | Esther Phillips | Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-19 | Hank Crawford | 'Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-20 | Grover Washington, Jr. | Mister Magic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-21 | Joe Beck | Beck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-22 | Phil Upchurch and Tennyson Stephens | Upchurch/Tennyson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-23 | Esther Philips with Joe Beck | What a Diff'rence a Day Makes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-24 | Grover Washington, Jr. | Feels So Good | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-25 | Ron Carter | Anything Goes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-26 | Hank Crawford | I Hear a Symphony | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-27 | Idris Muhammad | House of the Rising Sun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-28 | Esther Philips with Joe Beck | For All We Know | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-29 | Grant Green | The Main Attraction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-30 | David Matthews with Whirlwind | Shoogie Wanna Boogie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-31 | Esther Philips | Capricorn Princess | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-32S1 | Grover Washington, Jr. | A Secret Place | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-33S1 | Hank Crawford | Hank Crawford's Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-34S1 | Idris Muhammad | Turn This Mutha Out | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-35S1 | Hank Crawford | Tico Rico | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-3637M2 | Grover Washington, Jr. | Live at The Bijou | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-38 | Idris Muhammad | Boogie to the Top | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KU-39 | Hank Crawford | Cajun Sunrise
} SalvationSalvation Records, operating as a CTI offshoot, was originally established to focus on gospel music. After issuing a single album by the B. C. & M. Choir and then lying dormant for two years, the label was reactivated to release select jazz and R&B projects. Creed Taylor personally produced the initial B. C. & M. Choir record, while subsequent albums were produced by external producers.
Three Brothers labelNamed in honor of Creed Taylor’s three sons, Three Brothers Records functioned as a short-lived CTI imprint with a very limited catalog, featuring only one album by Lou Christie.
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