Offshoot of Chess Records' Cadet subsidiary managed by Marshall Chess created in 1967 to release psychedelic-leaning blues and rock material.

The most significant releases on this label were two Muddy Waters LPs (the Electric Mud and After The Rain albums) and the albums of a studio-created psychedelic soul-rock band Marshall Chess and Chess house musician/producer Charles Stepney developed named Rotary Connection, which featured future R&B star Minnie Riperton on lead vocals. It also released Status Quo's only American hit "Pictures of Matchstick Men".

Just as Phil and Leonard Chess were selling its parent Chess Records to GRT Corporation in 1969, the decision was made to phase out Cadet Concept and its final release was in 1971.