Mercury

Mercury on vinyl: jazz, funk and “Living Presence”

In short: Mercury was founded in Chicago in 1945 and quickly became one of the big American labels. In jazz, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and Quincy Jones stand for Mercury, in classical music the sought-after “Living Presence” series, and in the seventies the funk of the Ohio Players. The Vinyl Room currently has 69 Mercury records – jazz, soul, funk and rock.

From our stock

Mercury first pressings

Jazz on Mercury

Soul & funk

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→ Soul & funk on vinyl · Big band · Jazz on vinyl · How to spot a first pressing

What makes Mercury special?

In the fifties Mercury was an important address for jazz and vocals: Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and – through the EmArcy sub-label – Clifford Brown. In our stock Sarah Vaughan and Billy Eckstine sing Irving Berlin together, and Cannonball Adderley plays “Jump For Joy”. In the early sixties Quincy Jones held a senior position at Mercury; we have his “Big Band Bossa Nova”.

Classical collectors know Mercury for its “Living Presence” recordings, considered especially natural-sounding. In the seventies Mercury released funk and soul, above all the Ohio Players, later pop from Tears For Fears or Animotion. And if you’re looking for French chanson: you’ll also find Serge Gainsbourg with a Mercury label in our stock.

FAQ

Where was Mercury Records founded? In Chicago in 1945.

What is “Living Presence”? A Mercury classical series, recorded with few microphones for a natural sound. Early editions are sought after by collectors.

What is EmArcy? A Mercury jazz sub-label from the fifties, with Clifford Brown and Sarah Vaughan among others.

What music do you have on Mercury? Jazz, soul and funk, plus rock, pop and electronic – 69 records in all.