Michael Cuscuna (1948-2024) spent several decades preserving record label archives and compiling rare recordings, sessions and 'vault material' through Mosaic Records. In theis 2019 interview he discusses this fascinating journey through the vaults of Blue Note, Atlantic, Impulse and more to make this material available to music lovers around the world.

Starting his career, joining Atlantic
Producer and A&R for Atlantic Records
Working with the Atlantic Records tape warehouse
Early tape finds – Mingus at Antibes
Convincing Ahmet Ertegun to reissue lost material
Unissued material lost in a building fire
Starting to document and archive Blue Note tapes
Joining Blue Note, organizing the archive
Finding Alfred Lion’s notes and files in Japan
Obtaining the Francis Wolff photography negatives
Improving the condition of the negatives and imagery
Was Alfred aware of the legacy of Blue Note Records?
Did Blue Note have the original artwork and cover layouts?
Memories of the Blue Note Reissue Series
Much of the Blue Note vault materials have been issued
Trainwreck sessions that haven’t been released
Blue Note artwork in the 70s and 80s
Listening to hours and hours of outtakes
Idea for Mosaic Records boxsets
Working with various labels and rights holders for reissues
Columbia reissuing Miles Davis
Mosaic shift from LP to CD
Deciding what’s next for Mosaic Records releases
Challenges of developing boxsets
Most rewarding Mosaic Releases
Current pricing of Mosaic Records boxsets
Story of the Monk/Coltrane at Carnagie Hall
Story of the Charlie Parker / Dean Benedetti tapes
Interview wrap up

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Michael Cuscuna (1948-2024) - The Vinyl Guide Interview