Here's an early (1958) stereo disc from jazz pianist Marty Napoleon, best known for his work with Louis Armstrong. Napoleon apparently was the leader on only four dates: this one, for a label called Stere-o-craft, one three years earlier for Bethlehem and two late 1950s sessions for Everest.
Stere-o-craft, one of a bevy of labels owned by New York-based orchestra leader Morty Craft, lasted for only a couple of years and issued less than two dozen albums. Almost all of the LPs were jazz, including the debut album of vocalist Shirley Horn, Embers and Ashes, in 1960.
The stereo and musical quality of the several Stere-o-craft albums I've heard have been excellent, including this one, Marty Napoleon & His Music. There's a kind of funky feel to this LP, thanks to Napoleon's use of organ on some tracks, the guitar work of Joe Puma and the tenor sax of Carmen Leggio. Also along on the date were bassist Chubby Jackson and drummer Mickey Sheen.
Below you can listen to and download the Napoleon group's version of the Harry James hit You Made Me Love You.
You Made Me Love You
As shown in this YouTube video, the album was also released as a 45 EP, in stereo. This probably was designed mainly for use in jukeboxes. There likely also was a reel-to-reel tape version as most Stere-o-craft releases were available in this format.
Marty Napoleon's two sessions for Everest are available as downloads from iTunes, Amazon and eMusic, among others. The Stere-o-craft session, unfortunately, is not.
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