Bethlehem Records

US label founded in the early 1950's by Swiss immigrant Gustav Wildi. Also appears as "Bethlehem" only. Label Code: LC 0098 / LC 00098 After failing to make it in the pop market, Wildi under the influence of a young producer named Creed Taylor changed the labels focus to jazz. Bethlehem distinguished itself as label by granting the artists creative control and being among the first to focus on album art, often designed by Burt Goldblatt. After making the label an important artistic nest for major jazz artists like Nina Simone, Carmen McRae, Chris Connor and Mel Tormé, in 1958 Wilde gave the major label King Records (3) half ownership as payment for distribution and in 1962 Wildi sold King Records the second half of Bethlehem Records. Label art at a point had the same layout as King Records. It is now owned by Verse Music Group (VMG). For unofficial releases, see Bethlehem Records (3)