Recording engineer and producer Mack Emmerman formed Criteria Records in Miami, FL in 1957.  He had just moved to Miami, himself and having been a jazz trumpeter he wanted to work with jazz musicians.  He was impressed with the work of Rudy Van Gelder and sought to achieve a similar sound.  He formed Criteria Studios the following year.   Criteria Records released five titles by 1960, when the label folded.  However, Criteria Studios went on to become the most successful studio in Miami, recording over 250 gold or platinum hit records by such aritsts as  Eric Clapton, The Eagles, Aerosmith, AC/DC, The Bee Gees, Crosby Stills and Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago and many many more.  Today it is The Hit Factory at 1755 NE 149th Street.

V.S.O.P. RECORDS has released the four jazz recordings that came out on Criteria Records.  They are:

V.S.O.P. #104 CD Criteria 5 THE MODERN JAZZ ORCHESTRA featuring Kenny Drew

V.S.O.P. #106 CD Criteria 2 THE HERBIE BROCK TRIO: HERBIE'S ROOM

V.S.O.P. #107 CD Criteria 3 GOLD COAST JAZZ: THE LON NORMAN SEXTET

V.S.O.P. #109 CD Criteria 1  GOLD COAST JAZZ: THE OCTET