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VMP ANTHOLOGY

The Story of Cadet Records

VMP Anthology 16 is devoted to one of the most forward-thinking, far-out labels of all time: Cadet Records.

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This record is only available for Members. VMP members receive our exclusive Records of the Month and special access to other limited titles (like this one). Starting at $44/month.

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After nearly 10 years as Argo, the name of Chess Records’ jazz imprint was supposed to be the only thing about it that changed. But as Cadet Records assumed its new identity in the mid-’60s, the influence of the dawning psychedelic era, a boom of recording technology advances and, crucially, the arrival of a cadre of eager artists and brilliant producers put the label on a new, bewildering course to greatness. Tragic circumstances would bring about the label’s unraveling almost as rapidly as its meteoric rise, but not before Cadet released some of most audacious, boundary-pushing jazz, soul, blues and rock albums of the ’60s and ’70s — music that’s inspired generations of superstars, DJs and cratediggers ever since.
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Stephen Anderson, executive producer, The Story of Cadet Records

Get The Whole Story…

VMP Anthology goes beyond the eight albums included in your box. Alongside your box and the albums within it, we provide in-depth, original Listening Notes and a digestible multi-episode podcast to serve as your definitive guide though these records. VMP Anthology isn’t just a box set that’s supposed to gather dust on your shelves — it’s an immersive and transformative story that comes alive for you to spend weeks (or longer!) inside of. We can’t wait for you to dive deeper into Cadet Records' history and the albums in this box.

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Etta James
Tell Mama (1968)
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Dorothy Ashby
Afro-Harping (1968)
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Harold Land Quintet
The Peace-Maker (1968)
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Muddy Waters
Electric Mud (1968)
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Ramsey Lewis
Mother Nature's Son (1968)
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Shades of Brown
S.O.B. (1970)
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The New Rotary Connection
Hey, Love (1971)
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Terry Callier
Occasional Rain (1972)

What's Included

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Hear From The Label's Mastermind
Our box was created in close concert with Cadet’s original label head, Marshall Chess, who writes the foreword to the liner notes, is featured heavily in this season of the VMP Anthology podcast and who welcomes you to the box directly. It’s not often you’ll get to hear the stories of a label — and the albums from said label — direct from the source like this.
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Podcasts In a World of Excitement
Hosted by VMP’s own Stephen Anderson, the podcast for this box will dive deep into all of the releases and stories from the artists’ lives. Hear about how the label was founded, about why Chess mainstays made the jump over to Cadet and about the bunnies Ramsey Lewis pets on the cover of his album here.
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(Mostly) AAA Masterpieces
First edition is limited to 1,000 on 180g black vinyl. Six of the albums have been mastered AAA by Bernie Grundman; Side B of Mother Nature’s Son was transferred from the master tapes and cut from a digital source to amend a passage of tape degradation. Electric Mud was cut AAA by Barry Grint at Alchemy Mastering at AIR. We believe these eight albums — which were sparingly released and increasingly rare on the secondary market — have never sounded better.
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Please Do Tell Me How the Story Ends
Read the story of these eight albums in a very special 36-page Listening Notes and photo booklet written by VMP’s own Stephen Anderson, who also executive produced this box set.
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Premium Commemorative Box
Designed in-house at VMP, these records are housed in an original box that’s inspired by the instantly recognizable blue and white labels on Cadet releases.
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How Was The Audio Sourced?

Lacquers for all titles except for Electric Mud — which was cut AAA by Barry Grint at Alchemy Mastering — were cut by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Of those cut by Grundman, all were mastered AAA with the exception of Side B of Mother Nature’s Son, which was transferred from the master tapes and cut from a digital source to amend a passage of tape degradation. All eight titles are pressed on 180g black vinyl at GZ.

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Podcast and Listening Notes

Get the full story of Cadet Records through our podcast and Listening Notes booklet. The booklet — 36 pages long with photos from the era — found in your box covers the story of Cadet from its start to its finish. Our podcast will offer a discussion of all the albums and their histories.

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FAQs

Got a question?

VMP Anthology is the vinyl box set, reinvented. It aims to use music to tell a story, and gives space for lots of listening, learning, and conversation along the way.
VMP started as a record of the month club in 2013 and has expanded into an online record store and magazine.
Shipping is free in the U.S. and $20 internationally. Records will be sent in one shipment. Orders are expected to ship in May 2023. Timeline is subject to change. We will notify you of any shipping updates.
We created VMP Anthology for people who recognize that every album has a deep story to tell. By breaking up the albums, we give you space to truly listen and absorb each individual recording, listen to the podcast and soak it in. Of course, this is just a suggestion!
Nope! We built VMP Anthology as a way for all fans to experience music more deeply, and VMP membership is not required.
Yes, shipping is available in 16 countries in addition to the U.S. (view all FAQs for more details). Due to the box value and carrier constraints, international customers are responsible for customs and duties. When shipping to a country that is subject to VAT, this will also be due upon receipt.
Afterpay is an interest-free financing option that allows you to make four bi-weekly (every two weeks) installment payments rather than one upfront payment. If you choose Afterpay at checkout, you will be redirected to the Afterpay site to create an account and to complete your payment. You won’t be charged any interest or fees, as long as your payments are made on time. At this time, Afterpay is only available for customers in the United States.
To get the Member Price, you must be an active VMP Member for our monthly record subscription (and make sure you are logged in).
View All FAQs

The Story of Cadet Records

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The Story of Cadet Records
The Story of Cadet Records
Cadet Records

Join Waitlist: This product is currently unavailable. You're on the waitlist and will be notified if it becomes available. Join the waitlist to be notified if it becomes available.

This record is only available for Members. VMP members receive our exclusive Records of the Month and special access to other limited titles (like this one). Starting at $44/month.

Unavailable: This product is currently unavailable. You're on the waitlist and will be notified if it becomes available. Join the waitlist to be notified if it becomes available.

This product is in your Waitlist Save to Waitlist
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