Premium Records

Premium Records was an American record label in the areas of blues, rhythm and blues and jazz, which was founded in 1950 and existed until the middle of 1951.

The record label Premium Records was one of the small, short-lived and independent firms that existed in the first half of the 1950s in Chicago. It was founded in May 1950 by Nick Lee matter as the successor company for his label Miracle Records with his business partner, the A & R Lew Simpkins. The label had its registered office in 2326 South Michigan Avenue, the so-called Record Row in the city. The first releases were shellac records of Lynn Hope Quartet, the Miff Mole Dixieland quintet, and Memphis Slim.

Furthermore, Miracle - recordings of artists such as Robert Anderson, the gospel group The Holy Wonders and Eddie Chamblee were re-released. Then came 1950/51 recordings from Rhythm Willie, Sarah McLawler, Terry Timmons, Jimmy Bell Trio, Jack Cooley, Jesse Olden Cryor, Tab Smith, Danny Overbea and four pieces with a formation led by Sonny Stitt For Premium. In 1951 the company had produced another 35 pages; was finally able to Premium to financial reasons, its artists no longer have to include in the United Broadcasting studios. After last recordings with Memphis Slim and Terry Timmons with orchestra ( " I'm Crying " ) in July 1951 came the end of the premium labels. In the summer of 1951, Lew Simpkins left the company and founded the label Leonard Allen United Records, which with its sublabel States Records took over many of the artists who recorded on Miracle and Premium, such as Memphis Slim Smith or tab. After the end of the premium label in the fall of 1951 No matter Nick sold 40 master tapes to Chess Records, as Sarah McLawler, Eddie Chamblee, Tab Smith, Memphis Slim and Sonny Stitt.