MPS Records

MPS Records is a German jazz record label and catalog brand established in 1968 in Villingen, in the Black Forest region of Baden-Württemberg. The name is derived from Musik Produktion Schwarzwald, meaning Music Production Black Forest. The label was created as the successor to SABA by Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer, Joachim-Ernst Berendt, Willy Fruth, and Achim Hebgen. It became notable as the first German label devoted exclusively to jazz recordings. MPS developed an unusually broad international repertoire. Its releases covered American, Canadian, European, and Japanese artists, while its musical range extended from swing, mainstream jazz, and big-band music to free jazz, jazz rock, and early forms of what would later be described as ethno jazz. Artists associated with the label included Oscar Peterson, Hans Koller, Horst Jankowski, George Duke, Erwin Lehn, Volker Kriegel, Albert Mangelsdorff, the Singers Unlimited, Wolfgang Dauner, the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band, Jean-Luc Ponty, Lee Konitz, Charlie Mariano, Alphonse Mouzon, Monty Alexander, Dave Pike, and Art Van Damme. The label's identity was shaped not only by its artist roster but also by its production standards. Founder Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer recorded some sessions in the intimate setting of his private living room, helping create a distinctive sound associated with close, detailed recording. MPS releases were also recognized for carefully designed sleeves and unusually extensive information about performers, instruments, and recording circumstances. These qualities gave the catalog lasting appeal among jazz listeners, collectors, and audiophile audiences. In addition to producing its own albums, MPS issued recordings from important jazz events, including the JazzFest Berlin, the Donaueschingen Festival, and the New Jazz Meeting Baden-Baden. It also licensed and distributed recordings originating with other companies. Distribution arrangements changed over time: BASF handled distribution from 1971, followed by Metronome Music GmbH of Hamburg from 1974. In 1983, Brunner-Schwer sold the label's rights to Philips, after which the catalog moved to Polydor. Polydor's Motor Music issued selected MPS recordings on compact disc beginning in 1993, and Universal Music Group continued catalog reissues from 1999. The catalog later became increasingly visible through specialist reissue programs. Speakers Corner Records began issuing selected MPS albums on vinyl from 2000, generally retaining the original artwork. Universal Music separated the label from its corporate structure in 2012, and Edel AG acquired MPS in January 2014. The brand is therefore best understood today as a historically important jazz label and reissue catalog whose significance rests on its pioneering German identity, international repertoire, archival recordings, and emphasis on recording and packaging quality.

MPS Records was founded in 1968 in Villingen, Germany, as the successor to the SABA record label. Its name, Musik Produktion Schwarzwald, refers to the Black Forest region where the company was based. The label was created by Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer, Joachim-Ernst Berendt, Willy Fruth, and Achim Hebgen, who were involved in production as well as management and editorial work. MPS is generally identified as the first German record label devoted exclusively to jazz. From its beginning, MPS combined domestic German jazz with an international repertoire. The label recorded and released artists from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. Its roster included Oscar Peterson, George Duke, Albert Mangelsdorff, Wolfgang Dauner, Jean-Luc Ponty, Lee Konitz, Charlie Mariano, Monty Alexander, Volker Kriegel, and the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band, among many others. The catalog moved across conventional and experimental boundaries, incorporating swing, big-band music, free jazz, jazz rock, and early forms of cross-cultural jazz. MPS's reputation was closely tied to the quality and character of its productions. Some sessions were recorded in Brunner-Schwer's private living room, creating an intimate environment that became part of the label's mythology and sonic identity. The company also invested in detailed sleeve notes, information about instruments and performers, and distinctive cover design. These characteristics helped MPS recordings appeal both to serious jazz listeners and to later collectors interested in audiophile sound and original physical editions. The label documented major events as well as regular studio projects. Its output included recordings associated with JazzFest Berlin, the Donaueschingen Festival, and the New Jazz Meeting Baden-Baden. MPS also licensed and distributed material made by other companies, allowing its catalog to extend beyond its own sessions. Distribution and ownership changed as the label matured. BASF distributed MPS from 1971, and Metronome Music GmbH of Hamburg took over distribution in 1974. In 1983, Brunner-Schwer sold the rights to Philips. The catalog subsequently passed to Polydor, whose Motor Music subsidiary released selected recordings on compact disc from 1993. Universal Music Group began further reissues in 1999. Physical reissue activity became an important part of MPS's later life. From 2000, Speakers Corner Records issued selected albums on vinyl, preserving original artwork and emphasizing the catalog's analog and collector appeal. Universal spun off the label in 2012, and Edel AG acquired MPS in January 2014. MPS consequently remains important less as a mass-market contemporary label than as a durable jazz archive and reissue brand, representing a formative period in German recorded jazz and an internationally respected approach to sound, design, and documentation.

• 2014

  Edel AG acquires MPS

  [1]MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Edel AG acquires the MPS label and catalog in January.

• 2012

  Universal spins off MPS

  [1]MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Universal Music separates MPS from its corporate structure.

• 2000

  Speakers Corner launches vinyl reissues

  [1]MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Speakers Corner Records begins issuing selected MPS albums on vinyl using original artwork.

• 1999

  Universal Music reissues the catalog

  [1]MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Universal Music Group begins issuing additional MPS catalog re-releases.

• 1993

  Selected CD reissues begin

  [1]MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Polydor subsidiary Motor Music starts releasing selected MPS recordings on CD.

• 1983

  Rights transfer to Philips

  [1]MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Brunner-Schwer sells the MPS rights to Philips, after which the catalog moves to Polydor.

• 1974

  Metronome takes over distribution

  [1]MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Metronome Music GmbH of Hamburg becomes the label's distributor.

• 1971

  BASF becomes distributor

  [1]MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  BASF begins distributing MPS recordings.

• 1968

  MPS Records is founded

  [1]MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer, Joachim-Ernst Berendt, Willy Fruth, and Achim Hebgen establish MPS in Villingen as the successor to SABA.

A historically significant German jazz label positioned around high-fidelity recording, international artist collaborations, archival value, distinctive sleeve design, and collector-oriented physical reissues.

• Jazz albums · 1968

  MPS studio recordings

  The core MPS catalog consists of studio albums by German and international jazz performers. Releases span swing, mainstream jazz, big-band music, free jazz, jazz rock, and other modern styles. The label's productions are associated with detailed documentation, carefully engineered sound, and distinctive packaging. Artists connected with this body of work include Oscar Peterson, George Duke, Albert Mangelsdorff, Wolfgang Dauner, Volker Kriegel, Lee Konitz, and Monty Alexander.

• Live and event recordings · 1968

  MPS festival and live recordings

  MPS issued recordings from important European jazz events, including JazzFest Berlin, the Donaueschingen Festival, and the New Jazz Meeting Baden-Baden. These releases preserve performances beyond the label's regular studio program and document the development of postwar European and experimental jazz.

• Compact disc reissues · 1993

  MPS CD reissues

  Selected MPS recordings were transferred into the compact disc format through releases by Motor Music beginning in 1993 and subsequent Universal Music reissue activity from 1999. These editions extended the reach of the original catalog and introduced historically important recordings to later digital-era audiences.

• Vinyl reissues · 2000

  MPS vinyl reissues

  Speakers Corner Records began issuing selected MPS albums on vinyl in 2000, retaining original sleeve artwork. The reissues emphasize the label's reputation for high-quality recording and appeal to collectors, audiophile listeners, and fans of classic European jazz LPs.

• 2014

  Acquisition by Edel AGM&A

  Background

  Universal Music had spun off MPS in 2012, creating an opportunity for a new owner to take control of the label and its catalog.

  Action taken

  Edel AG acquired MPS in January 2014.

  Aftermath

  MPS continued as a historic jazz label and catalog brand under Edel ownership.

  Source

• 2000

  Launch of selected vinyl reissuesProduct launch

  Background

  Interest in historic jazz recordings and high-quality physical formats supported renewed attention to the MPS catalog.

  Action taken

  Speakers Corner Records began releasing selected MPS albums on vinyl with original artwork.

  Aftermath

  The program reinforced MPS's position as a collector and audiophile catalog.

  Source

• 1993

  Move into compact disc reissuesOther

  Background

  As the recorded-music market shifted toward CDs, Polydor subsidiary Motor Music began revisiting selected MPS recordings.

  Action taken

  Motor Music released individual MPS recordings on compact disc.

  Aftermath

  The move made portions of the historic catalog available to a new format generation.

  Source

• 1983

  Sale of MPS rights to PhilipsM&A

  Background

  After more than a decade of independent activity, founder Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer transferred the label's rights to Philips.

  Action taken

  Philips acquired the rights, which subsequently moved into the Polydor corporate structure.

  Aftermath

  The transaction began a succession of corporate catalog changes and eventually supported later CD reissue activity.

  Source

1. 1MPS Recordsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2MPS Music official websitemps-music.com