impulse! (jazz label active during the 60s‐70s, now property of Universal Music Group, mainly used as a reissue label)

~ Label

Annotation

"The new wave of jazz is on impulse!"

One of the mythic names in the jazz industry, impulse! has been known as "the house that Trane built".
The first activity period under ABC is the glorious one - covering the 60s until 1974 - with an emphasis on free jazz.
New production eventually faded out during the late 70s, though ABC continued to print reissues.
Sold to MCA in 1979, it was almost silent until being folded in under GRP in 1990, which eventually became the Verve Music Group. It has since been mainly reissuing its own stuff only - with a few exceptions: a handful of remix releases and commercial jazz stuff, a few new releases by artists with ties to the former impulse!, and a serie of new compilations and anthology box sets.
This reissue campaign intensified starting 1995, with enhanced/remastered reissues, etc.

Sleeves have a distinctive black and orange design, and sparse liner notes.
Note the label name is correctly capped as "impulse!" (see logos for symetry between "i" and "!").
Catalog numbers were as follow:
* First period: A # (mono) AS # (stereo) AQ # (quadraphonic, not all releases) with # from 1 to 100, then appending a 9 (eg: 9101 up to 9361). Two discs sets used an additional /2. There is a promotional (AS 1974) as well, and a rare 29000 serie (29065 to 29073)
* 1980s: MCD, MCAD
* 1991-1995: prefix GRD optionally followed by one digit (number of discs in the set) followed by a three digit catalog number. Example: GRD2113 (3 discs set)
* 1995-1999: prefix IMPD optionally followed by one digit (number of discs in the set) followed by a three digit catalog number. Example: IMPD8280 (8 discs set)
* 1999-2003: used a subset of the barcode. Example 3145479582 for 731454795821
* 2003-*: prefix B, followed by three zeros, followed by a four digits cat #, followed by 02 for CD, 16 for SACD. Example: B000427002
* some rare Universal Japanese release used cat # like UCCI-####

For a more indepth history, you may consult The House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse Records, Ashley Kahn, 2006, W.W. Norton.

Yet unconfirmed:
Note that there appear to exist 7" EP releases for some (?) of the 12".
Currently spotted: at ebay at discogs
Or even reel-2-reel EPs: at ebay
They don't seem to bear a distinctive cat #...
More:
at ebay
at ebay
Shirley Scott Everybody...

Notes:
Don't forget to sort out the Jasmine reissues.

Annotation last modified on 2007-07-12 11:19 UTC.

Releases

ReleaseArtistFormatTracksCountry/DateCatalog#Barcode
ByablueKeith JarrettCD7
  • JP2012-06-13
UCCU-9990[none]
Living on ImpulseVarious Artists3×CD10 + 10 + 10
  • BE2012-09-27
533957-1 SDRM0600753395714
LifelineThe Rolf & Joachim Kühn QuartetCD10
06025 27864800602527864808
Inception (High resolution download)McCoy TynerDigital Media6
  • XW2013-01-01
Spiritual BlessingsPharoah SandersDigital Media8
  • AT2013-03-15
  • DE2013-03-15
  • CH2013-03-15
600753419175
Sun Ship: The Complete SessionJohn Coltrane2×CD11 + 9
  • US2013-04-16
B0018075-02602537286959
The Girl in the Other Room (international version)Diana KrallDigital Media12
  • -2013-07-15
602537420902
The Body & The SoulFreddie HubbardDigital Media9
  • -2013-10-05
602567825197
A Love Supreme (deluxe edition)John ColtraneBlu-ray13
  • JP2013-10-09
PROZ-40034988005791337
BalladsThe John Coltrane QuartetCD8
  • JP2013-11-27
UCCU-400014988005793508
A Love SupremeJohn ColtraneSHM-CD3
  • JP2013-11-27
UCCU-400034988005793522
A Love Supreme (deluxe edition)John ColtraneBlu-ray13
00602537356638602537356638
Spiritual BlessingsPharoah SandersCD8
06007 53419170600753419175
Sun Ship: The Complete SessionJohn ColtraneDigital Media20
B0018075-02[none]
All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole TrioDiana KrallDigital Media12
How My Heart Sings! (Original Jazz Classics Remasters)Bill Evans TrioDigital Media11
  • -2013
888072345959
The Art of ConversationKenny Barron & Dave HollandDigital Media10
  • XW2014-01-01
none
Love ScenesDiana KrallDigital Media12
  • XW2014-01-21
[none]00602537715930
Charlie Haden - Jim Hall (24-Bit / 96 kHz)Charlie Haden - Jim HallDigital Media8
  • -2014-06-16
Offering: Live at Temple UniversityJohn Coltrane2×CD2 + 3
  • US2014-09-23
B0019632-02724101970627
Attica BluesArchie SheppCD10
  • JP2014-09-24
UCCU-900804988005843524
Charlie Haden - Jim HallCharlie Haden - Jim HallCD8
  • FR2014-09-29
0602537841837602537841837
Charlie Haden - Jim HallCharlie Haden - Jim HallCD8
  • US2014-09-30
B002176502602537841820
Charlie Haden - Jim HallCharlie Haden - Jim HallSHM-CD8
  • JP2014-10-01
UCCM-12294988005845535
The Art of ConversationKenny Barron & Dave HollandCD10
  • US2014-10-14
B002169802602537946594
Cocktails at Dusk - A Noir Tribute to Chris ConnorRan BlakeCD13
379 318-10602537931811
Death and the FlowerKeith JarrettSHM-SACD3
  • JP2014-11-26
UCGU-90534988005853394
Charlie Haden - Jim HallCharlie Haden - Jim HallCD8
3784182602537841820
Viper's DragHenry Butler, Steven BernsteinCD9
  • -2014
B002097502602537812790
When I Look in Your EyesDiana KrallDigital Media13
  • -2014
00602537727766
When I Look In Your EyesDiana KrallDigital Media13
00602547058331
HeartlandIndra Rios‐MooreDigital Media11
  • FR2015-02-16
Take ThisJacky TerrassonVinyl10
  • XE2015-02-23
471 274-0, NI-002602547127402
Attica BluesArchie SheppCD10
  • JP2015-03-15
UCCI-92854988005886514
SylvaSnarky Puppy & Metropole OrkestCD + DVD-Video6 + 6
  • -2015-04-17
0602547222558602547222558
SylvaMetropole Orkest and Snarky Puppy7" Flexi-disc6
  • US2015-04-20
[none]
SylvaSnarky Puppy & Metropole OrkestCD + DVD-Video6 + 7
  • XE2015-04-24
0602547222565602547222565
Living SpaceJohn ColtraneCD5
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-9244
First Meditations (For Quartet)John ColtraneCD6
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-92464988005886125
The Mastery of John Coltrane, Vol. III: Jupiter Variation (Impulse! Classics 50)John ColtraneCD4
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-92504988005886163
Stellar RegionsJohn ColtraneCD11
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-92514988005886170
Interstellar Space (Impulse! Classics 50 – 13)John ColtraneCD4
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-92524988005886187
Soul TromboneCurtis FullerCD6
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-92544988005886200
Live in San FranciscoArchie SheppCD6
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-92694988005886354
Waiting Game (remastered)Zoot SimsCD10
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-92724988005886385
Girl TalkShirley ScottCD9
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-92744988005886408
The Magic Of Ju-JuArchie SheppCD4
  • JP2015-05-13
UCCI-92764988005886422
Tokyo AdagioCharlie Haden & Gonzalo RubalcabaCD6
  • XE2015-06-05
0602547299260, 472 992-6602547299260
Tokyo Adagio (44.1 kHz / 24-bit)Charlie Haden & Gonzalo RubalcabaDigital Media6
  • XW2015-06-05
[none]
Tokyo AdagioCharlie Haden & Gonzalo RubalcabaSHM-CD6
  • JP2015-07-01
UCCI-10214988005899569
Quoi, Quoi, QuoiSarah McKenzieDigital Media1
  • DE2015-07-17
Tokyo AdagioCharlie Haden & Gonzalo RubalcabaCD6
  • US2015-08-07
B0023543-02602547299260
Past PresentJohn ScofieldCD9
  • FR2015-09-25
4738415602547384157
Past PresentJohn ScofieldCD9
  • US2015-09-25
B0023752-02602547384157
Past PresentJohn ScofieldDigital Media9
  • FR2015-09-25
D-Stringz (iTunes version)Stanley Clarke, Biréli Lagrène, Jean‐Luc PontyDigital Media10
  • XW2015-11-06
[none]
More Blues and the Abstract TruthOliver NelsonCD8
  • JP2015-11-12
UCCI-91514988005886309
Liberation Music OrchestraCharlie Haden12" Vinyl8
  • US2015-11-13
AS-9183600753630426
Thembi / Black UnityPharoah SandersCD7
  • US2015-11-20
06007 53639650600753639658
Tauhid / Jewels of ThoughtPharoah SandersCD5
  • US2015-11-20
06007 53639670600753639672
Three For Shepp / VistaMarion Brown2×CD6 + 6
  • XE2015-11-20
06007 53639730600753639733
A Love Supreme, The Complete Masters (Super Deluxe Edition)John Coltrane3×CD6 + 11 + 5
  • US2015-11-20
B0023727-02602547489470
Tranquility / OutertimeinnerspaceAhmad JamalCD12
06007 53639680600753639689
We Could Be LoversSarah McKenzieCD11
0602547421173602547421173
Chabrol NoirRan BlakeCD17
0602547627520, 476 275-2602547627520
KalthoumIbrahim MaaloufCD7
474 969 6602547496966
Red & Black LightIbrahim MaaloufCD8
475 667-7602547566775
A Love Supreme: The Complete MastersJohn Coltrane2×CD6 + 11
A-77602547489449
Liberation Music OrchestraCharlie Haden12" Vinyl8
AS-9183600753630426
Take ThisJacky TerrassonCD11
B002246002602547127488
AriaSullivan FortnerCD10
B0023963-02
D-StringzStanley Clarke, Biréli Lagrène, Jean‐Luc PontyCD10
B0024114-02602547575296
D-StringzStanley Clarke, Biréli Lagrène, Jean‐Luc PontyCD10
B0024114-02602547575296
Duke Ellington & John ColtraneDuke Ellington & John ColtraneDigital Media7
602537004812
ShadesKeith JarrettDigital Media4
602547382450
Book of IntuitionKenny Barron TrioCD10
  • US2016-03-04
B0024648-02602547778024
Notes From New YorkBill Charlap TrioCD9
  • US2016-04-01
B0024830-02602547783882
Notes From New YorkBill Charlap TrioDigital Media9
602547783936
Notes From New YorkBill Charlap TrioDigital Media9
602547783950
Attica BluesArchie SheppSHM-CD10
  • JP2016-08-24
UCCU-56154988031165225
Liberation Music OrchestraCharlie HadenSHM-CD8
  • JP2016-08-24
UCCU-56204988031165270
That's The Way It Is (Remastered)Milt Jackson Quintet Featuring Ray BrownSHM-CD6
  • JP2016-08-24
UCCU-56364988031165430
Duke Ellington Meets Coleman HawkinsDuke Ellington & Coleman HawkinsSHM-CD8
  • JP2016-08-24
UCCU-56434988031165508
The Body & The SoulFreddie HubbardSHM-CD9
  • JP2016-08-24
UCCU-56484988031165553
Let It GoStanley TurrentineSHM-CD7
  • JP2016-08-24
UCCU-56524988031165591
MotherJacky Terrasson & Stéphane BelmondoDigital Media14
  • FR2016-09-02
Secular HymnsMadeleine PeyrouxCD10
  • US2016-09-16
B0025437-02602557017014
Secular HymnsMadeleine PeyrouxSHM-CD11
  • JP2016-09-16
UCCI-10334988031171592
Country for Old MenJohn ScofieldCD12
  • US2016-09-23
B0025610-02602557088106
Country for Old MenJohn ScofieldDigital Media12
  • XE2016-09-23
  • US2016-09-23
602557088649
Time/LifeCharlie Haden’s Liberation Music OrchestraCD5
  • XE2016-10-14
0602547984807602547984807
Time/Life (96 kHz / 24-bit)Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music OrchestraDigital Media5
  • XW2016-10-14
[none]
Time/Life (Song for the Whales and Other Beings)Charlie Haden, Liberation Music OrchestraSHM-CD5
  • JP2016-10-19
UCCI-10354988031177891
ABUCRoberto FonsecaDigital Media14
  • XW2016-10-28
  • DE2016-10-28
ABUCRoberto FonsecaCD14
  • XW2016-11-11
00602557092356602557092356
3 Essential AlbumsKeith Jarrett3×CD5 + 8 + 3
  • XE2016-11-25
0600753748473600753748473
ABUCRoberto FonsecaCD14
  • -2016-12-09
Country for Old MenJohn ScofieldCD12
0602557088106602557088106
MotherJacky Terrasson & Stéphane BelmondoCD14
  • -2016
602557049466
FrescalaltoLee KonitzCD8
  • FR2017-02-10
0602557208733602557208733