ESP Disk

New York based experimental, avant-garde, and free-jazz label ESP Disk was founded in 1963 by Bernard Stollman. Originally known as Esperanto-Disk, the name was shortened to ESP-Disk'. Although it faced financial challenges in the US, the label gained recognition in Europe and Japan through licensing agreements. In 1992, Stollman licensed the catalog to German label ZYX Music for reissues on CD. The Japanese label Venus Records also licensed a number of titles. Subsequently, there were brief licensing agreements with Dutch label Calibre and Italian label Abraxas. Since 2005, ESP Disk of New York has resumed manufacturing and is releasing reissues, previously unreleased material, and new releases.

The label had several addresses over the years:

  • 180 Riverside Drive (1964-1966)
  • 5 Riverside Drive (inbetween addresses)
  • 156 Fifth Avenue (1966-1969)
  • 300 W. 55 (1970)
  • Acorn Hill House, Krumville (1969-1972)
  • 290 West End Ave (1973-1975)

ESP Disk's discography includes numerous notable releases spanning from ESP-1002 to ESP-3021.