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Majestic Records Inc.

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The recording division of the [l709413] was launched in early 1945, and produced the [l94039] label until declaring bankruptcy in 1948. Majestic Records was headed by former NYC mayor [a2055334]. [a901092] was recruited to serve as executive vice-president, general manager and head of A&R. Oberstein's involvement stemmed from a deal in which he sold his [l755379] (makers of [l222147] and [l142508] labels), his Transcriptions Inc. studio and his New Jersey Plastics pressing plant to the [l709413]. The first [l94039] records were advertised in April 1945 and continued [l142508]'s 7100 catalog-numbering sequence. The early Majestic catalog featured many of Hit's former artists, such as [a192029], [a320617] and [a368185]. One notable contribution made by Majestic was the use of overdubbing on a regular basis. Although the technique had been used occasionally in the past, it was perfected and popularized by [a1123182], who was Majestic's chief recording engineer. Trouble at Majestic began upon the recruitment of [a307405] in June 1945. Selvin sued Oberstein for unpaid commission fees, and was then given responsibility for selecting the titles to be recorded. A disgruntled Oberstein left the company soon thereafter, and subsequently sued Majestic for breach of contract. When Selvin left the company in 1947, a widespread shake-up among Majestic personnel began. Artists began defecting for other companies, and Majestic filed a Chapter 11 petition in February 1948, and then a Chapter 10 bankruptcy petition in June of the same year. Company assets were sold to [l269924] for a winning bid of $142,000.