The Music Company

The Music Company existed solely as a studio ensemble assembled in the mid-'60s to cut a jazz interpretation of the Beatles' Rubber Soul LP. Issued under the plainly descriptive title Rubber Soul Jazz, the album delivered direct jazz-pop renditions of every track from the U.S. edition, preserving the original running order without deviation. Though created as a straightforward exploitation release, the results stood out for their quality. The sessions drew on elite Hollywood session players, among them drummer Hal Blaine, pianist Don Randi, and guitarists Tommy Tedesco and James Burton. Marshall Lieb, formerly of Phil Spector's Teddy Bears, handled production duties, crafting lively arrangements that retained the melodic core of the Beatles' songwriting. First appearing on the modest Mirwood imprint, the LP later received a CD reissue from BGP in 2006.