Sub-titled "100 Jazz Vocal Classics", this compilation, on 4 CD’s, is a representative anthology of the Jazz Division of the label operating during the 1950’s and  1960’s.  The artists here are legendary, most lured to the label in the late 1940's and into the 50's by the founding fathers of the division, John Hammond and impresario Norman Grantz. Some of the tracks in this collection spent decades in the Mercury vaults and were only discovered during the search for content to produce this anthology. The tunes had never been released, either because of the sheer volume of material being produced at the time or changing management priorities!

As well as having great instincts for musical talent, Mercury had a significant influence advancing the technical aspects of music recording. Innovations were quickly adopted by other studios and labels:

• advanced recording techniques, (e.g. multi-track/microphone setups and master recordings made on 35 mm tape at 30 inches/sec)
• tape recording  'live' performances with high quality portable gear
• 'overdubbing' multiple, (tape recorded), 'takes', by one or more artists, to simulate an ensemble performance
• introducing, (in co-operation with Phillips), musicassettes to the North American market.

The booklet, enclosed with this boxed set, includes some interesting notes about each of the performers, as well as insights into how the Jazz Division of the label was run over its long and illustrious career.