Most of David French’s original team and contributors remain as part of the Frog Records ‘family’ today.
We are proud to say that most discriminating classic jazz listeners regard Frog as THE leading American roots reissue label and with upcoming plans for more rare and hot jazz issues, another
We are always pleased to hear from customers and welcome the chance to answer questions and discuss the magnificent music that we all love. You can contact us at:
Frog Records was formed in 1994 by East London Jazz collector/enthusiast David French. The first release,
Her first choice was today’s owner, Paul Swinton, who at that time had already been responsible for the production and involvement in hundreds of reissues of vintage blues, jazz & other American roots music, but who had never owned his own label. Swinton enthusiastically ‘took over’ the running of Frog Records and incorporated the label as a limited company in November 2004.
"Just opened the mailbox and found a copy of your fabulous annual…The best one yet eh? A beautiful bounteous blast from beginning to end from the look of it. Haven't dug in deeply yet but I can see it's gonna keep me absorbed for hours and hours. Marvellous diverse bunch of subjects too. Can't wait to dig into the McTell piece and Luis Russell has been dear to me for a good few years now so that's a must. Great to see Bruce Bastin back in print again, nice long article too. Don't know Arthur Briggs, Bob Shoffner, Bunky & Flo, etc but this will enlighten me, lots of mouth watering stuff. And what photos!!!Never seen tons of them, lovely Son House stuff, Willie Brown!!!!! young Teddy Bunn, Clarence, clarification about the one I always was (in) Tarter & Gay. I'm sure I'll find out as I root thru the pages but don't recognise that guitar picker on the inside front cover but what a fantastic picture. Sound a bit like a fan don't I? Well I think I am. Rollicking good stuff!!
"Congratulations on the issue of the Frog Blues & Jazz Annual No. 4. It has cheered up what was threatening to become a rather dismal summer. Continuing the high standards of its predecessors, it is truly an exceptional publication. A wealth of painstakingly researched articles, wonderful photographs and artwork, old press cuttings and advertisements from American papers, and all beautifully presented, it brings vividly to life the early days of jazz and blues. There is so much to read and look at that once picked up and opened it is difficult to put it down, and all this can be enjoyed while listening to the accompanying CD. It is a joy to own. I look forward to the promised volume 5 and hope that the suggestion that it may be the last in the series will prove unfounded. With many thanks to all involved."
Written by Frog Records — August 04, 2015
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There is so much more in this truly stunning production.. with a surplus of glorious photographs and enough brilliant in-depth articles to keep even the most ardent of early blues and jazz students busy until next year’s arrival.
Many thanks for sending the Annuals…I received my copies yesterday after a couple of days of fighting with the courier company over delivery. The Annual is gorgeous!! Congratulations on another beautiful production. As John RT would say, “Have a glass of accolades!”
Sometimes a publication comes along which is so good that no reviewer can do it justice before running out of superlatives. If you’ve purchased one or both of the earlier volumes you’ll know exactly what I mean. If not, read on and find out what you’ve been missing. The product itself shouts quality from its high gloss pages, which are packed with rare photographs, reproductions of advertisements, record labels, and illustrations.
On the blues side, articles include an appreciation of the role of African-American fiddlers on early phonograph records, an analysis of Big Bill Broonzy’s influence on Texas blues, an examination of the death of Peetie Wheatstraw, a detailed discography of the 1928 Tommy Johnson/Ishman Bracey sessions for Victor, and the history of the Meritt record label. And that’s not the half of it! Accompanying this visual feast is an aural delight in the shape of a 25-track CD of rare recordings..
