Robert Baird

The movement towards a super premium vinyl “experience,” and the larger notion of vinyl as a lifestyle is getting another eager supporter as a new subscription-only label, Newvelle Records, launched this week via a Kickstarter campaign. To see their pitch click here.

The twist here is that Newvelle is specializing in jazz recorded in New York City at East Side Sound studio exclusively for them. I’ve spoken with the principals of the label, Elan Mehler and Jean-Christophe Morisseau several times and their plan seems quite sound and from what I’ve heard of their first two releases, a quintet date led by pianist Frank Kimbrough and a Jack DeJohnette solo piano record, both the artistic merits and recording quality are extremely high. Records by Ben Allison, Noah Preminger, a Leo Genovese Trio with Esperanza Spalding and a really interesting tribute to underrated trumpeter Booker Little from the Don Friedman Trio are all upcoming.

Newvelle is also focusing on deluxe packaging that uses original photographs from French photographer Bernard Plossu (who took the above shot) as cover art on their initial releases. Inside the jackets there will be poems from Pulitzer Prize winning American poet Tracy K. Smith. The European pressings from MPO outside of Paris are all 180 grams. What’s the bill? Sign up now and it’s $350 for the first six records, though it will get more expensive the longer you wait. Stay tuned for more on these gentlemen and their brave venture once I see and hear the finished product. Early word is the Kickstarter campaign is halfway to its goal! Bon Chance Newvelle!!!