HistoricCD

HistoricCD was a German independent record label founded in 1993 in Berlin. The company specialized in the reissue and restoration of rare and historically significant compact discs, with a particular focus on early rock, jazz, and folk recordings from the 1950s through the 1980s. HistoricCD worked closely with original artists, producers, and recording studios to obtain the best available source material, and its releases were noted for their audio fidelity and comprehensive liner notes detailing the cultural context of each recording.

The label’s catalog included notable reissues such as the 1995 remastered edition of The Beach Boys’ “Surf Music” box set, the 1998 release of the complete works of jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown, and a 2001 anthology of early German popular music from the 1930s. In addition to reissues, HistoricCD produced a series of companion discs titled “Historic Sessions,” which featured unreleased or alternate takes from famous artists. The label also organized a yearly “Historic CD Award” to recognize significant contributions to the preservation of musical heritage.

In 2010, after a period of financial difficulty and the rise of digital distribution, HistoricCD ceased operations. Its catalog and master recordings were acquired by the German archives institution, the Stiftung Musik und Medien. The legacy of HistoricCD remains in its influence on the standardization of audio restoration techniques and the emphasis on historical accuracy in reissued music releases.