Indies G-P

 The Ultimate Guide
 to Independent Record Labels & Artists

 

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    • GAZELL PRODUCTIONS
      Sam Charters, cofounder of Gazell, seems to have been everywhere. As a producer with the Vanguard, Folkways and Prestige labels, he worked with the cream of jazz and folk. He also produced jazz albums for Sonet, a Swedish label. He produced Clifton Chenier's Grammy-winner, I'm Here. Charters has written a number of books, including The Roots of the Blues, winner of the Deems Taylor Award in 1983. The Gazell catalog contains excellent albums he produced for Sonet. The newer stuff includes Dave Von Ronk's Humming to Myself. The collaboration between Charters, a chronicler of music history, and Van Ronk, whose expressive voice is imbued with music history, works well.
      TYPE: Cajun; Folk; Jazz
      ARTISTS: Rob Brown, Dave Burrell, Charles Gayle, Dave
      Van Ronk, Rocking Dopsie, Steve Lacy.
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD
      ADDRESS: PO Box 527
      Mansfield Center CT 06250 PHONE:203.429.1062
      A&R CONTACT: Sam Charters
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Heidi Green
      VOLUME SALES: Heidi Green
    • GIORNO POETRY SYSTEMS
      In the late '60s, a happy thought struck poet John Giorno. "A poet," he realized, "has many ways to communicate with an audience." Just sending a poem to a publisher suddenly felt...well, prosaic. In 1967 he released his first poetry LP. He started the telephone service Dial A Poem in 1968. Giorno Poetry Systems developed as an originator of striking sound and video recordings. Giorno discovered that many of his friends and their friends wanted to work with him. (His friends include Laurie Anderson, Phillip Glass, and Patti Smith.) He describes his recordings as "all sorts of artists working together." Kash Kow (a best of Giorno album) includes historic cuts by Laurie Anderson, Glenn Branca and Frank Zappa as well as new songs by Debby Harry, Buster Poindexter and Cabaret Voltaire.
      TYPE: Experimental; Rock; Spoken
      ARTISTS: John Giorno; Laurie Anderson; William S.
      Burroughs; Lenny Kaye; Meredith Monk.
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Video
      ADDRESS: 222 Bowery
      New York NY 10012 PHONE: 212.925.6372
      CONTACT: Peter Wright

 

    • GLEEFUL MUSIC
      Oregon-based composer/pianist/teacher Gordon Lee knew he could create some very good music. His credits range from Gladys Knight and the Pips to Sonny Fortune to Don Cherry to Bobby Hutcherson. As a composer, he's received his share of commissions. But, he reports, "I can't get the time of day from big labels." Lee borrowed money to start Gleeful Music, and it's working. His first release attained warm reviews and was named Best Jazz Recording of 1990 by a regional music association. The second album also received good reviews. A German record company snatched up the rights to release it overseas. Gleeful's third entry was Hollis Taylor's Twisted Fiddle. Taylor, a classically trained violinist shreds categories. Dirty Linen reviewer Mike Parrish said, "one minute she is playing straight bluegrass fiddle; then she slips into a Stephane Grappelli by way of Vassar Clements...[Twisted Fiddle] is an intriguing hybrid...spiked with good musicianship and a sense of humor.
      TYPE: Country, Western; Jazz;
      ARTISTS: Mel Brown; Gordon Lee; Jim Pepper; Hollis Taylor
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 3221 NE 33rd Ave.
      Portland OR 97212 PHONE: 503.282.1966
      CONTACT: Gordon Lee

 

    • GLITCH RECORDS
      Austin-based music magazine** periodically assembles compilation albums of unsigned Texas bands. At the time of this writing, they've helped 56 bands to wider exposure via five albums. There even were a few 45s.
      TYPE: Comedy; Experimental; New Music; Pop; Rap; Rhythm & Blues; Rock
      ARTISTS: Hundredth Monkey (with Kris McCay); Daniel Johnston; Johnny Law; Los Defectors; Joe Rockhead; Strappados with David Roach; Texas Instruments;
      CATALOG: Send SASE FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Box 4429
      Austin TX 78765

 

    • GLOBAL PACIFIC RECORDS
      Neil Sapper condenses the Global Pacific presence into "ethnic rhythms, jazz improvisations and new age sensitivity." The company began in Hawaii in 1979 as a distributor of new age music that was developing locally. Hawaii's landscape seemed to nurture spirituality, feeling and a blend of eastern and western sensibilities. Global Pacific formed its own label and opened an office in Sonoma in 1981. Emphatically instrumental new age music led the label to jazz, which in turn nudged the company toward world music. (Talk about putting the Global in Global Pacific.) Highlights include drummer Brian Melvin's Standard Zones, featuring Jaco Pastorius. It stayed on jazz charts for seven weeks. Dolphin Smiles by Steve Kimmler & Tejabell stretched out on jazz charts for thirty-three weeks and new age charts for forty-two weeks. Global Pacific's catalog includes other recordings it distributes.
      TYPE: Jazz; New Age; World
      ARTISTS: Charles Michael Brotman; David Driesen; Georgia Kelly; Bob Kimmler; Steve Kindler; Ben Tavera King
      Brian Melvin
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 270 Perkins St.
      Sonoma CA 95476 PHONE: 707.996.2748
      A&R CONTACT: Howard Sapper
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Howard Sapper
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Tom Sapper

 

    • GLOBAL VILLAGE MUSIC
      Originally a computer scientist, Michael Schlesinger started this label as a musician issuing albums for other musicians. That part of the mission is very much alive. For example, Schlesinger says, "Mandolinists have learned a lot of material from the two-volume mandolin set Global Village released."
      This label's catalog of music from different cultures features reissues of otherwise lost 78s painstakingly discovered and compiled. You'll also find contemporary recordings that revitalize the various legacies. Of special note is the large selection of Jewish musics. Recordings come with copious notes. Global Village continually wins awards and recognition from the likes of the Library of Congress, NAIRD and the Grammies.
      TYPE: African; Bluegrass; Eastern European; Ethnic; Folk; Italian; Jewish; Music Instruction; Spoken
      ARTISTS: Alhambra; The Badgett Sisters; The Golden Jubilees; The Mazeltones; Sima Miller with Arnold Miller; Dave Taras;
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Box 2051
      Cathedral Station
      New York NY 10025 PHONE: 212.695.6024
      CONTACT: Michael Schlesinger
      GM RECORDINGS

 

    • All that some people need to know about GM Recordings is that the "G" represents Gunther Schuller, the label's owner. In brief Schuller is a composer, conductor, educator, architect of "Third Stream" music (fusion of jazz and classical, instrumentalist (Miles Davis Nonet, New England Ragtime Ensemble), author (The Swing Era) and recipient of the MacArthur Award (a/k/a, The Genius Grant). Richard Dyer of the Boston Globe wrote "Gunther Schuller's interest in anything is an ironclad guarantee of quality, and some of the discs he has produced have enabled us to experience important music noone else would have taken the trouble to record."
      TYPE: Classical; Experimental; Jazz; Ragtime
      ARTISTS: Bethany Beardslee; Ran Blake; Eric Dolphy; Lou Krassner; Marimolin; New England Ragtime Ensemble; Orange Then Blue
      CATALOG: $1 FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 167 Dudley Rd.
      Newton Centre MA 02159 PHONE:617.332.6398
      CONTACT: Bruce Millard

 

    • GOLDWAX RECORD COMPANY
      In the '60s, Memphis label Goldwax put out some solid sounds but was eclipsed by its homeys, Stax/Volt and Hi. Quentin Claunch, who was there at the beginning, reactivated the company in 1988. James Carr, an original Goldwax artist has had a spotty recording career due to personal problems. His strong voice and fluid delivery have inspired people to call him one of the finest of soul singers. His debut album with the new Goldwax demonstrates why. Also look for the label's compilation, Echoes of Yesteryear. It includes the original version of O.V. Wright's "That's How Strong My Love Is." The song was admired and later covered by many artists, including Otis Redding; Little Milton and the Rolling Stones.
      TYPE: Jazz; Rhythm & Blues; Rock; Soul
      ARTISTS: Black Oak Arkansas; James Carr; O.C. Carr; Percy Milem; Silk Storm; Little Joe "Blues Boy" Thomas; Jamilynn Weld
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: Box 30166
      Memphis TN 38130-0166
      A&R CONTACT: Quinton Claunch
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: E.W. Clark, Sr.
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: R.D. Clark

 

    • GONG SOUNDS
      Gladstone A. Gilbert (a/k/a Gilley Dread) named the label after Bob Marley whose nickname was "Tuff Gong." Gilbert, Marley's personal assistant for many years, has a strong musical background going back to school days in Kingston, Jamaica. Back then, he promoted dances that featured musicians who are among today's reggae elite. In recent years, he's been a highly successful record producer. One of Gong's artists, John Holt, has had 41 #1 singles in Jamaica. UB40 recorded a few of his songs.
      TYPE: Caribbean; Children's; Country, Western; Dance; Pop; Rhythm & Blues; Sound Effects; Rap
      ARTISTS: Dennis Brown; Explosion; Jonzhaft; Joanna Marie; Screwdriver; Stan Wayne
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Video
      ADDRESS: 10775 S.W. 188th St.
      Miami FL 33157 PHONE: 305.378.9243
      A&R CONTACT:
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT:
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT:

 

    • GOSPEL WORLD RECORDS
      The Void Brothers, a down home gospel group led by Landy Void, usually bring their spirited sound to audiences in The Carolinas, particularly the Northern one. They don't like to travel far from home, but they've also entranced churchgoers and festival attendees in Georgia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. The gospel group also has performed in nightclubs and prisons. "What we realized," Landy Void told Melinds Ruley of The Independent Weekly, "was we can't just segregate ourselves to church. There's a lot of people who won't go to church and hear the music there. And we have a chance to bring church to them." Raleigh's News and Observer declared that The Void Brothers is, "...one of the brashest gospel outfits to ever lift their voices skyward. Onstage Landy Void is a one-man hurricane of salvation...When he sings it's as if Wilson Pickett is back on the prowl."
      TYPE: Gospel
      ARTISTS: Landy G. Void; The Void Brothers
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: Cassette
      ADDRESS: Rte. 3, Box 476
      Pittsboro NC 27312 PHONE: 919.542.2467
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Landy G. Void

 

    • GOURD MUSIC
      At this label, they no doubt are singing, "Give me that
      old time acoustic." Gourd specializes in "music performed
      on vintage acoustic instruments by some of the leading
      musicians in the field today." Just mentioning the
      instruments by name warms the soul. Try it: woodwinds;
      harps; dulcimers; violins; cellos; assorted fretted,
      stringed instruments. Although the instruments are old, the
      approach is bold as various albums contain tracks that flow
      from traditional to classical to contemporary works. For
      example, Northern Lights, a group that features hammer
      dulcimer and Celtic harp, includes (on its eponymous album)
      both "Sleepers Awake" by J.S. Bach and "Pyramid in the
      Woods" by Andreas Wollveider
      TYPE: Folk; New Age
      ARTISTS: Nick Blandon; Neal Hellman; Northern Lights;
      Orison; Barry Phillips; Victorian Christmas; Joe Weed
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: PO Box 585
      Felton CA 95018 PHONE: 408.425.4939
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Neal J. Hellman

 

    • GREAT LAKES RECORDS
      Bugs Beddow, who cuts loose on both trombone and flute, has worked on his craft both as teacher and player. He's also been a studio musician behind B.B. King, Mitch Ryder, the Temptations, Johnny Taylor and Earl Klugh. And he started Great Lakes Music. His label showcases what writer H.V. Mielke called, "an electric and energetic brand of modern jazz."
      TYPE: Jazz
      ARTISTS: Bugs Beddow Band
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD
      ADDRESS: PO Box 48101
      Oak Park MI 48237 PHONE: 313.546.BUGS
      CONTACT: Bugs Beddow
       

 

    • GREEN LINNET RECORDS
      Green Linnet is a doorway to the vitality and versatility of traditional Irish and Scotch musics. Sprightly jigs and reels, melancholy bachelor musings, wistful maiden laments, and urgent songs of freedom are all there. So is the constant exploration that goes on in the music. Besides the more traditional instrumentation (fiddle, accordion, flute, etc.), you might hear a heart-pounding duet of bagpipe and synthesizer. Excellent albums crowd the label's catalog. The Rights of Man is a live recording of a benefit concert by Celtic music's Who's Who to honor Joe Doherty. The late folk singer Ewan McColl's Black and White presents selections compiled by his family. Colin Irwin of Folk Roots called Patrick Street's Irish Times "quite, quite quite stunning."
      TYPE: Celtic; Folk
      ARTISTS: Altan; Bothy Band; Capercaillie; De Dannan; Pentangle; Silly Wizard; The Story
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Video
      ADDRESS: 43 Beaver Brook Rd.
      Danbury CT 06810 PHONE: 203.730.0333
      A&R CONTACT: Wendy Newton
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Steve Katz
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Chris Teskey

 

    • GREEENER PASTURES
      This label was established by Wayne Green, publisher of CD Review and founder, by the way, of BYTE magazine. Green has a knack for stepping quite lively into the future, but he apparently appreciates music of the past. He explains that the film, The Sting, sparked his affection for Scott Joplin's music. At the same time, he felt that too few interpreters captured the proper Joplin spirit.
      "During a music conference in New Orleans," writes Green, "I happened to walk by a small and dingy bar late one night. Music was pouring out into the street. Ragtime! I steered my wife Sherry into the bar where we splurged on a couple of Cokes and listened to the most remarkable ragtime piano we ever heard. Two hours later I was ready to go into the record business."
      The piano player was then twenty-five-year-old Scott Kirby. As the label's artist list indicates, Green's musical enthusiasms extend beyond ragtime.
      TYPE: Bluegrass; Classical; Ragtime
      ARTISTS: Banjo Dan and the Mid-Nite Plowboys; Masanobu Ikiemiya; Scott Kirby; Kukuruza
      CATALOG: FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: Forest Rd.
      Hancock NH 03449 PHONE: 603.525.4201
      A&R CONTACT: Grace Cohen
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Phil Martus
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Phil Martus

    • GUITAR RECORDINGS
      The sprightly Guitar for the Practicing Musician, is the flagship magazine of Cherry Lane Music Group, an important music publisher. Guitar Recordings, which sprang from the mag, delivers performances by musicians for musicians. Its material comes from both virtuosi with cult followings and "unknowns" who deserve to be showcased. Veterans include people like Leslie West, Steve Morse, Buck Dharma and Paul Gilbert whose licks are assiduously studied by tyros. A new generation of fretting phenomena includes guitarist Blues Saraceno who at eighteen (an eyeblink ago) toured with Jack Bruce; bassist Randy Coven who has played with Steve Vai and Brian Setzer; and heavy metal violinist Mark Wood.
      TYPE: Comedy; Heavy Metal; Pop; Rock
      ARTISTS: Bruno Bettencourt; Randy Coven; Brad Gillis; Blues Saraceno; Billy Sheehan; Mark Wood
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 10 Midland Ave.
      PO Box 1490
      Port Chester NY 10573 PHONE: 914.935.5200
      A&R CONTACT: John Stix
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Mike Connelly
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Relativity Entertainment

    • GWE RECORDS
      In case you wondered, GWE stands for Green With Envy. To continue the tale, Green stands for Wayne Green, owner of Greener Pastures. GWE is Green's label for rock and pop. Already GWE has been involved in an important project, the Right As Rain album, cosponsored by CD Review and Ben (of Ben & Jerry's ice cream) Cohen's Community Products. The album features performances by Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, Paul Winter and Animal Logic. Proceeds from the album's sales go to the Rainforest Action Network.
      TYPE: Jazz; Pop; Rock
      ARTISTS: Marty Balin; Cabo Frio
      CATALOG: Free ** FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: Forest Rd.
      Hancock NH 03449 PHONE: 603.525.4201
      A&R CONTACT: Grace Cohen
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Phil Martus
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Phil Martus

    • GRIND CORE INTERNATIONAL
      Red Light Records  which succeeded with rock and heavy metal, started Grind Core for a specific market. "Death Metal," explains the Red Light Report, "has been very popular throughout the world, and now America has its own record company specializing in this brutal musical style." Much of the music is available through imports, and these are expensive. As the Report reports, fans "can now buy great Death Metal at a lower cost." What an opportunity to delve into Death Metal philosophy. As Dead Youth lead vocalist Dave Piekanz opines, "We like to remind the world that life sucks and anyone who disagrees with us can go to hell."
      TYPE: Hard Core; Alternative; Death Metal
      ARTISTS: Broken Hope; Crowbar; Dead Youth; Morbid Saint; Transmetal
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 880 Lee St., Ste. 200C
      Des Plaines IL 60016 PHONE: 708.297.6538
      A&R CONTACT: Mark Nawara
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Mark Nawara
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: John Fichera

    • GSP RECORDS
      Focusing on classical and solo guitar recordings, GSP routinely receives excellent reviews for its releases. In reviewing David Tanenbaum's Estudios, Chris Kilvington of Classical Guitar Magazine wrote, "This double-disc CD recording should become part of our instrument's heritage..." A Los Angeles Times critic reviewed William Kanegiser's Rondo Alla Turka by saying, "Kannegiser has an amazing talent for creating delicately honed, lucid phrases from technically difficult passages...giving the [Mozart Sonata in A] exceeding vitality and warmth."
      TYPE: Classical
      ARTISTS: Paulo Bellinati; William Kanengiser; Hubert Kappel; David Tanenbaum
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 1411 Clement St.
      San Francisco CA 94118 PHONE: 415.663.3540
      A&R CONTACT: Dean Kamei
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Pat Phillips
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Dean Kamei

    • HANNIBAL RECORDS
      In March 1991, Rykodisc bought Hannibal Records. As a business deal, it's great for both parties. But music listeners may get the best benefit -- easier access to the Hannibal catalog (particularly its splendid collection of world music).
      TYPE: African; Folk; World
      ARTISTS: Incredible String Band; Kanda Bongo Man; Kate and Anna McGarrigle; Songhai; Richard and Linda Thompson; Trio Bulgarka
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: Pickering Wharf, Bldg. C
      Salem MA 01970 PHONE: 508.744.7678
      A&R CONTACT: Jeff Rougvie (612) 375-9162
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS: Call 215.629..0030
      VOLUME SALES: Randy Hope (612) 375-9162

    • HAPPY HOUR
      Back in 1985, Judith Wahnon was thinking about changing careers anyway. Her friend saxophonist Joe Hackney wanted to do a record. Joe Hackney's album released in 1986 unspooled a string of highly regarded jazz instrumental recordings. Happy Hour is best known for its Brazilian Jazz and its Stan Kenton tribute album. The label has brought some amazing musicians to the public's attention. Musicians gasp at the sheer creativity of composer/multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal. He plays keyboard, woodwinds, strings, reeds, brass, sewing machine, and teakettle. His music dazzles, challenges and captivates. Happy Hour's most popular album is Alumni Tribute to Stan Kenton. As the title suggests, Kenton Band musicians, gathered by Trumpeter Paul Cacia, made a "new" Stan Kenton album. Included among the players are Lee Konitz, Laurindo Almeida, and Bob Cooper. Pete Rugolo and Bill Russo and Shorty Rogers contributed arrangements.
      TYPE: Jazz, Brazilian, Instrumental
      ARTISTS: Antonio Adolfo, Paul Cacia, Joe Hackney,
      Joao* Parahyba, Hermeto Pascoal, Olmir "Alemao*" Stoker
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 5206 Benito St.
      Montclair CA 91763 PHONE: 1.800.252.5169
      CONTACT: Judith Wahnon

    • HARMONIA MUNDI
      More than thirty years old, Harmonia Mundi specializes in audiophile recordings of renaissance and baroque music. The musicians use authentic instruments. HM shuns recording studios. Instead, tapes roll in venues such as monasteries and churches more in tune with the music. Some of the earlier pieces in the catalog were recorded in caves. The label's recording of Handel's Oratoria Susanna (1991) received a Grammy nomination and a Gramaphone Magazine Award. A recent major release Handel's Messiah uses CD technology to give a rewarding musicological (and musical) experience. It seems Handel wrote several variations of the great work. You can program your CD player to yield any of the different versions. Harmonia Mundi also distributes works from over different labels. The music ranges from classical to international to jazz.
      TYPE: Classical
      ARTISTS: William Christie; Les Arts Florissantes; Nicholas McGegan; Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra; Rene* Jacobs; Drew Minter; Philippe Herreweghe
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 3364 S. Robertson Blvd.
      90034 PHONE: 310.559.0802
      A&R CONTACT: Robina Young
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Rene Goiffon

    • HEADS UP INTERNATIONAL
      Through a string of good events, Dave Love closed down his Texas recording studio and moved to Seattle where he assumed presidency of the new Heads Up International label. Love quickly explored an idea about a contemporary sound that he thought would quickly find a niche.
      "We want to use folkloric and urban elements," he explained. "We want strong contact between ethnic oriented music and contemporary jazz."
      Venezuelan harpist Carlos Guedes and Paraguayan harpist Roberto Perrera are two musicians whose separate journeys work well with Love's aspirations. Each in their separate albums pull together captivating rhythms and melodies. TYPE: Blues; Ethnic; Hispanic, Latin; Jazz
      ARTISTS: Ann Armstrong; Kenny Blake; Bochinche; Carlos Guedes; Matz Nilsson and Hawk on Flight; Roberto Perera; Debbie Spring
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: PO Box 976
      Lynnwood WA 98046 PHONE: 206.787.1037
      A&R CONTACT: Dave Love
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Doug Lexa (818.886.2650)
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Dave Love

    • HEART MUSIC
      Jazz lover Tab Bartling's enthusiasms drove him to found Heart Music. He plays guitar, a bit of sax, and basic piano. He's been recording and mixing at home since his early teens. In 1989, he concluded, "there wasn't enough original music out there." He joined the fray by signing two Texas talents, Tony Campise (saxophone) and Erich Avinger (guitar) to Heart Music. All of the young albums rose to the top of the radio charts. Ben Kettlewell of Option called Erich Avinger's Si* "one of the finest guitar-based albums that I have listened to for a long time." Downbeat's Michael Point said that in Once In A Blue Moon, Tony Campise's energetic and endlessly expressive musical creations echo a historic tradition and update it to the space age, embellishing and expanding the classic sound with brilliant new extrapolations."
      TYPE: Jazz
      ARTISTS: Erich Avinger; Tony Campise
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: P.O. Box 160326, Austin, TX 78716-0326  PHONE : 512.795.2375
                                   FAX: 512.795.9573
                                  http://www.heartmusic.com/
      A&R CONTACT: Tab Bartling
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Tab Bartling
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Jeanna Inks

    • HEARTBEAT RECORDS
      This is one of the Rounder family of labels. Heartbeat is devoted to Caribbean music.
      TYPE: Reggae
      ARTISTS: Burning Spear; Mikey Dread; Linton Kwesi Johnson; Sugar Minnott; Sly and Robbie; Chris Wayne
      CATALOG:**
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 1 Camp St.
      Cambridge MA 02140 PHONE: 617.354.0700
      A&R CONTACT: A & R Dept.
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Bill Nowlin
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Duncan Browne

    • HEARTS OF SPACE
      TYPE: Experimental; Native American; New Age; Space Music; World Music
      ARTISTS: Paul Augerinos; Mychael Danna; Constance Demby; Raphael; Giles Reaves; Robert Rich; Tim Storey
      CATALOG: No
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: PO Box 31321
      San Francisco CA 94131 PHONE: 415.759.1130
      A&R CONTACT: Stephen Hill
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Leyla Rael Hill
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Christopher Stimson

 

    • HERITAGE RECORDS
      Banjoist Bobby Patterson wanted to preserve old-time mountain string music, so he began Heritage Records in 1974. His love of the music shows. For example Oldtime Music From Coal Creek, demonstrates what turn of the century mountain music was like. This comes through in both style and tune selection. The Young Fogies with various artists, including Alice Garrard and Andy Cahan, spotlights younger practitioners of the old-time music and comes with extensive notes. The Heritage catalog includes ten years of recordings done at the Brandywine Mountain Music Convention.
      Patterson also records the Galax Fiddlers Convention, which he described as "the world's largest and oldest fiddlers convention."
      TYPE: Bluegrass; Children's; Folk; Gospel;
      ARTISTS: The Christian Quartet; Albert Hash & the Whitetop Mountain Band; Johnny Hunsucker; Jim Shumate;
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMAT: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: Rt. 3, Box 290
      Galax VA 24333 PHONE: 703.236.9249
      CONTACT: Bobby Patterson

 

    • HIGH WATER RECORDING COMPANY
      TYPE: Blues, Gospel; Hispanic, Latin; Jazz
      ARTISTS: Chicago Bob; The Fieldstones; Jessie Mae Hemphill; Hammie Nixon; Hollywood All Stars; The Pattersonaires; Spirit of Memphis Quartet.
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: Vinyl
      ADDRESS: College of Communication and Fine Arts
      Memphis TN 38152 PHONE: 1.901.678.2350
      CONTACT: Dr. David Evans

 

    • HIGH WINDY AUDIO
      A folk label in the best tradition, High Windy wins friends and influences giggles with its "Time For A Tale" series of storytelling cassettes. And, yes, Pete Seeger's Stories & Songs For Little Children contains "Abiyoyo." David Holt's recording of mountain music, Grandfather's Greatest Hits, has several peaks. Banjoist Holt, a three-time Frets Magazine reader's poll winner, is a familiar figure on public broadcasting and the Nashville Network. Playing with him on various cuts of this album are Doc Watson, Mark O'Connor, Jerry Douglas, Duane Eddy and Chet Atkins. In fact, the Holt version of "Dixie" makes history as Duane Eddy, Chet Atkins and Doc Watson play together for the first time.
      TYPE: Children's; Folk; Spoken
      ARTISTS: David Holt; Jay O'Callahan; Vicky Lansky; Pete Seeger
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Video
      ADDRESS: PO Box 553
      Fairview NC 28730 PHONE: 800.637.8674
      CONTACT: Virginia Callaway

 

    • HIGHER OCTAVE MUSIC
      This label's catalog (they call it a "selection guide") overflows with harmony. The mostly New Age albums gathered from around the world present new and interesting blends. For example, Ottmar Liebert's music weaves jazz and pop influences into classic guitar approaches. Fittingly, his first Higher Octave album was titled Nouveau Flamenco. As of the first quarter of 1992, Liebert is the first Higher Octave artist to have gone gold. No less an authority than Keyboard Magazine said William Aura is one of the world's top five "new age synthesizer heroes."
      TYPE: African; Asian; Hispanic, Latin; New Age
      ARTISTS: William Aura; Cusco; Peter Davison; Eko; Himekami; Ottmar Liebert
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 8033 Sunset Blvd., #41
      Los Angeles CA 90068 PHONE: 213.856.0039
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Scott Bergstein

 

    • HIGHTONE
      Record producer Bruce Bromberg and distributor Larry Sloven started Hightone in 1983 to make Robert Cray's record Bad Influence. Like good gardeners, the Hightone folks have continued to put out music with healthy roots. They like what they call Western Beat music. It draws upon the same general sources that shape its first cousin, country rock. However Western Beat uses the more traditional parts of blues and country for the mix. Western beat Hightoners include Rosie Flores, Heather Miles, Dave Alvin, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Australian aborigine Archie Roach is a relatively recent addition to the label. Using contemporary folk forms, he sings and writes powerful songs about his country.
      TYPE: Blues; Country, Western; Rock; Gospel; World;
      ARTISTS: Robert Cray Joe Louis Walker; Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Pajamas; Dave Alvin; Gary Stewart; Rosie Flores; Archie Roach
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 220 4th St., ste. 101
      Oakland Ca 94607 PHONE: 510.763.8500
      CONTACT: company

 

    • HOME COOKING RECORDS
      A long time presence on the Texas music scene, Roy Ames delights in sharing Texas roots musicians with the world. More than 6,000 masters sit in the Home Cooking archives. These are both the work of musicians that Ames has recorded, as well as material from other labels for which he has acquired the rights. They are not all out of the vault yet.
      Writer Don Howland called Home Cooking the "little label for whom everyone who loves American music (period) must offer thanks in their prayers each night."
      Two Home Cooking compilations worth noting are Deep in the Soul of Texas (rhythm & blues) and Texas Guitar Greats. Of the former, Chicago Tribune writer Tom Popson said, "Packed with plenty of rich, emotive singing."
      TYPE: Blues; Rock
      ARTISTS: 13th Floor Elevators; Albert Collins; Janis Joplin; T-Bone Walker; Sonny Boy Williamson; Johnny Winter
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMAT: CD, Video
      ADDRESS: PO Box 980454
      Houston TX 77098 PHONE: 713.666.0258
      A&R CONTACT: Roy C. Ames
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Evelyn Biscamp
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Roy C. Ames

 

    • HOMECOMING RECORDS
      John Stewart's strong voice and powerful songs made him
      a major force within the Kingston Trio during what Martin
      Mull has referred to as "the great folk scare of the late '50s and early '60s." Although the Trio sits comfortably in the popular music archives, Stewart's name continued to surface -- as the composer of "Daydream Believer," with a top ten album, "Bombs Away, Dream Babies" which contained three hit singles, including "Gold," and, since 1984, at Homecoming Records. The label reflects Stewart's past, present, and future. In addition to featuring Stewart's solo projects, it's a bonanza for veteran and new Kingston Trio devotees.
      TYPE: Folk, Pop
      ARTISTS: John Stewart, Heriza & Ford, Modern Folk
      Quartet.
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Box 2050
      Malibu CA 90265-7050

 

    • HOMESPUN TAPES
      For a little more than a quarter-century, Homespun Tapes under the direction of Artie Traum has been dishing out lessons for folk, blues, bluegrass, rock and jazz musicians. Traum has a faculty for assembling a faculty. They provide informal, anecdotal lessons. For example, you can study: guitar with Doc Watson, Richard Thompson, Jorma Kaukonen and/or Rory Block; fiddle with Kenny Kosek, Vassar Clements, Michael Doucet, and/or Kevin Burke; piano with Dr. John; Banjo with Bela Fleck or Bill Keith; bass with Rick Danko; and dulcimer with John McCutchen. The Big Book of Home Learning says it's like having a private lesson with one of the best musicians in the country."
      TYPE: Music Instruction
      ARTISTS: Vassar Clements; Dr. John; Maria Muldaur;
      Jorma Kaukonen; Pete Seeger; Happy Traum; Doc Watson
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: Box 694UN
      Woodstock NY 12498 PHONE: 1.800.33.TAPES

 

    • HOMESTEAD RECORDS
      In 1983, Dutch East India Trading, a distributor, started the Homestead label. The mission was to release experimental music that, in the words of one staffer "could not possibly achieve mainstream success." They saw a market niche beneath the mainstream niche. In so doing, the company made a very loud impact on rock music. It pushed Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds into hearing range. Sonic Youth's first album, Bad Moon Rising, is considered a landmark in the noise rock genre.
      TYPE: Experimental, New Music, Rock
      ARTISTS: Sebadoh, Lovechild, King Kong, Cake Kitchen,
      Tall Dwarfs, Weird Paul, Daniel Johnston,
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: Box 800
      Rockville Centre NY 11571 PHONE: 516.764.6200
      A&R CONTACT: Ken Katkin
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Ken Katkin
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Terry Felice

 

    • HUDSON RIVER CO
      Christopher Shaw and Bridget Ball opened this label (and booking agency) in 1988 as a vehicle for their music. And what a ride! You may have heard them during the two-year run of their NPR program, Great Acoustics: Live From the Hudson River Cafe. Their songs about their lives and feelings have touched many people. Ball's album Mothers and Daughters deals with that special relationship. In reviewing it, Buzz Magazine said, "...undertaken with care and love...instead of making mere music [she] makes art." The Washington Post called Shaw's Born and Raised, "a sparkling tribute to the past with a gaze cast unflinchingly on the future." Rory Block produced Shaw's album which features guest appearances by John Sebastian, Vassar Clements, Garth Hudson, Cindy Cash and, yes, Rory Block.
      TYPE: Country, Western; Folk; Middle of the Road; Pop
      ARTISTS: Bridget Ball; Christopher Shaw
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Box 609
      Averill Park NY 12018-0609 PHONE: 1.518.674.8282
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Anna Mae Harris
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Anna Mae Harris

 

    • HYPERNORMAL RECORDS
      Singer/songwriter John Swetye has launched what probably is the newest label listed on these pages. His first album "is about traveling; breaking away for the first time on your own." His songs have been received well when other artists played them on gigs where he was an accompanist. Swetye thought he would record them so they could be heard exactly the way he wanted them to be heard. TYPE: Bluegrass; Folk; Pop; Rock
      ARTISTS: John Bowman; Jon Goodloe
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: PO Box 2384
      Noroton Heights CT 06820 PHONE: 203.324.3439
      A&R CONTACT: John Swetye
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Alice Swetye
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: John Swetye

 

    • ICHIBAN RECORDS
      About 25 years ago, John Abbey was a young Englishman who adored American black music. Since then, he started Blues & Soul, a British magazine; was a tour promoter for American acts in Europe and Japan; and, as of 1985, the cofounder and president of Ichiban Records. (On a Japanese tour with James Brown, fans kept calling Brown, "Ichiban soul brother." Abbey learned that ichiban means "number one.") The label is fulfilling Abbey's goal of presenting black American music. Getting bona fide hits from Clarence Carter (Doctor C.C. and "Strokin'") and Slave (Unchained At Last) gave Ichiban some credibility and maybe even a few dollars. Now the company distributes fifteen other indies, including Curtis Mayfield's Curtom Records.
      TYPE: Blues; Gospel; Jazz; Rap; Rhythm & Blues; Soul
      ARTISTS: Blues Boy Willie; M.C. Breed; Clarence Carter; Tyrone Davis; Ben E. King; Curtis Mayfield
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Box 724677
      Atlanta GA 30339 PHONE: 404.926.3377
      A&R CONTACT: John Abbey
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: John Abbey
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Nina Easton

 

    • IKAUMA RECORDS
      If you've seen Oliver Stone's film JFK, you've heard Brent Lewis's music, albeit briefly. Three selections from his album, Earth Tribe Rhythms, are heard during a prison scene. Percussionist Lewis is best known for his work on the Ikauma, a set of twenty-two tuned drums made especially for him by Dave Wheat. This is the only such set in the world. Earth Tribe Rhythms presents this melodic percussion surrounded by African beats. Lewis went from a conga player, backing Judy Collins in a Denver nightclub in 1958 to working with Xavier Cugat and Charo for seven years to studying in Africa. With his second album he is joined by drum masters of different cultures.
      TYPE: Percussion; World Music;
      ARTISTS: Brent Lewis
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: PO Box 461352
      Los Angeles CA 90046 PHONE: 213.876.5625
      CONTACT: Brent Lewis

 

    • INDIA ARCHIVE MUSIC
      Lyle Warchovsky has managed rock bands, and currently is a marketing consultant to "Top 40" acts. But he started his own record label in 1989 because of his lifelong passion for Indian music. He began with Vilayat Khan. Indian percussionist Badl Roy, who has played with Ornette Coleman and Miles Davis, suggested to Warchovsky that the two of them go to India to record. They journeyed to Bombay, New Delhi and Calcutta, and met many superb musicians. They also hooked up with the Sangeet Research Academy, which Wachovsky calls "one of the great schools and repositories of living knowledge." Many of the musicians recorded in India, though rigorously trained virtuosi, are not professional performers. The U.S. based India Currents Magazine called this label, "a class act among the Indian recording companies."
      TYPE: Indian Classical and Light Classical
      ARTISTS: Amjad Ali Khan; Imat Khan; Vilayat Khan
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 2170 Broadway, #243
      New York NY 10024 PHONE: 212.740.1508]
      CONTACT: Lyle Wachovsky

 

    • INDIA NAVIGATION
      Bob Cummins was a lawyer who specialized in government contracts; but he had a passion for jazz. When he came to New York in 1968, he quickly got involved in what was called "the loft scene." Musicians played in loft spaces and audiences gathered to bear witness to vigorous, creative jazz. Cummins bought a Tandberg tape recorder to capture the sessions for those musicians who wanted a document. From this experience, India Navigation was born. A couple of these recordings, including a Chet Baker/Lee Konitz performance, actually ended up on the label. Much praise has gone to India Navigation's Clarinet Summit -- Live at the Public Theater. It captures an astonishing event that produced remarkable music. The rare concert featured a clarinet quartet that spans jazz history -- Alvin Baptiste of New Orleans, Ellington stalwart Jimmy Hamilton, and avant-gardists John Carter and David Murray.
      The label's support probably helped make the concert possible. The musicians prepared in India Navigation's office.
      "I heard them rehearse," recalls Cummins, "and I said God do you know how good this sounds?"
      TYPE: Jazz
      ARTISTS: Arthur Blythe; Anthony Davis; Chico Freeman; Jay Hoggard; Cecil McBee; David Murray; James Newton.
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 177 Franklin St.
      New York NY 10013 PHONE: 212.219.3670
      CONTACT: Bob Cummins

 

    • INDIAN HOUSE
      Tony and Iola Isaacs started Indian House more than twenty-five years ago. The recordings present the traditional music with which various Native American nations have accompanied their lives. For example, the catalog lists Navajo Gift Songs and Round Dance, Cheyenne Peyote Songs, and Kiowa Gourd Dance. The Isaacs' constant goal was to capture the mood and feeling. Many recordings were done on location.
      TYPE: Native American
      ARTISTS: Various artists
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Box 472
      Taos NM 87571 PHONE: 505.776.2953

 

    • INTER-AMERICAN MUSICAL EDITIONS
      Here's the bureaucracy part. Inter-American Musical Editions is a department within the Division of Performing Arts of the Organization of American States. The rest is pure music. OAS started the label in 1978 to promote musicians, composers and music from the Americas. Inter American sells recordings of Ginastera and Villa-Lobos compositions, as well as Tangos Vivencias performed by Argentinean tango master Atilio Stampone.
      TYPE: Caribbean; Classical, Folk; Pop
      ARTISTS: Ivan Citera; Jose Fernandez Bardesio; Pedro Vargas; Alberto Williams; Lia Cimaglia-Espinosa
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 1889 F St. NW,
      Washington DC 20006 PHONE: 202.458.3072

 

    • ITW RECORDS
      In the mid-'60s Ian Whitcomb did the only reasonable thing a mild-mannered Trinity College history major could do. He went crazy-mad a la Jerry Lee Lewis and pounded out Top 10 hit, "You Turn Me On" to the amusement and delight of audiences around the globe. Since then, he's done the musical equivalent of community service. He's written six books, including the pop music history volumes, After The Ball and Irving Berlin and Ragtime America. As a composer, arranger, producer and performer he's taken audiences to different musical eras and locales. Now located in Altadena (CA), Whitcomb hosts a popular FM radio show, "devoted to ragtime, traditional jazz, and the music of Tin Pan Alley." ITW albums include Ragtime Revels, Tango Dreams, and Let the Rest of the World Go By. As these words are written, the next project is the score of his new musical, Lotusland, played by full orchestra and sung by the cast. (Whitcomb's ragtime/Jazz musical comedy set in 1920s California received its world premiers on radio station KPCC.)
      TYPE: Broadway; Comedy; Country, Western; Middle of the Road; Pop; Ragtime; Spoken
      ARTISTS: The Bungalow Boys; The Dance Band; Debbie Dawn; Buck Henry; Regina; Ian Whitcomb
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Video
      ADDRESS: PO Box 451
      Altadena CA 91003 PHONE: 213.684.4697
      CONTACT: Write to Ian Whitcomb at above address.

 

    • JAZZAND
      Guitarist Rick Stone always was a do-it-yourselfer. So it may be no surprise that after shopping himself around to record companies without results in 1985, he decided to put an album out by himself. It was not the wisest financial move he ever made; but it did help him learn much about the music business. Stone's second album (Far East), featuring his brand of straight ahead jazz, did much better. In fact, it stayed on the Gavin chart for 16 weeks. Joining Stone on this recording are Kenny Barron, Curtis Boyd, and Don Gladstone.
      TYPE: Jazz
      ARTISTS: Rick Stone (with Kenny Barron)
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 12 Micieli Pl.
      Brooklyn NY 11218 PHONE: 718.972.1220
      CONTACT: Rick Stone
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT:
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT:
       

 

    • JAZZOLOGY RECORDS
      If you go to New Orleans do stop at Nina Buck's Palm Court Jazz Cafe (1204 Decatur St.). It's got fine food, true hospitality, and hot jazz (e.g. Danny Barker and Pud Brown). You also might find George H. Buck who entered the record business in 1949 "to document authentic jazz." George Buck has built a mini-conglomerate of record companies. The Jazzology siblings include Southland (blues); Circle (big bands); Solo Art (ragtime) and Audiophile (pop). The labels emphasize traditional and swing jazz. To get maximum benefit, join the Collector's Jazz Club. A nominal membership fee gets you discounts on the recordings and an information-packed quarterly magazine, Jazz beat.
      TYPE: Blues; Jazz; Pop; Ragtime;
      ARTISTS: Eddie Condon; Harry James; Bunk Johnson; George Lewis; Jelly Roll Morton; Maxine Sullivan; Margaret Whiting
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 1206 Decatur St.
      New Orleans LA 70116 PHONE: 504.525.1776
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: George H. Buck, Jr.
    • JIN
      Floyd Soileau's Flat Town Music Company encompasses a group of record labels that send the region's music out to the world. Jin, which features the local brand of rock, got its name from the woman Soileau was dating and subsequently married. ("I figured," he told Living Blues writer James Tighe, "I'd score a few points with her that way.") The whole enterprise started from a store -- Floyd's Record Shop -- that Soileau still owns. Because of the store, a tape of Cajun music came to Soileau that was recorded by friends of a friend. Soileau released it.
      "When word got out there was some crazy fool in Ville Platte releasing French music," Soileau told Tighe, "I had a lot of the legends come see me."
      Along the way, Soileau became a bit of a legend himself.
      TYPE: Swamp Rock
      ARTISTS: Johnny Allan; Rod Bernard; Cookie & Cupcakes; Cypress City; Tommy McLain; Warren Storm; Clint West
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMAT: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Drawer 10
      Ville Platte LA 70586 PHONE: 318.363.2139
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Floyd Soileau
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Floyd Soileau

 

    • JONKEY ENTERPRISES
      Jazziz Magazine called Chuck Jonkey "music's answer to Indiana Jones." As Jonkey explains it, "I travel around the world collecting sounds and instruments for exotic music." He's been to Latin America, Thailand, the Indian Subcontinent, and Malibu. When he returns, he blends the sounds -- wild animals, flowing waters, chanting Buddhist lamas, etc. -- with the music of the jungle, the ancient temple or wherever he heard the notes. And he folds in his own appropriate compositions. The recordings affect the listener both as music and as portraits of place. Two Jonkey recordings are strictly environmental (no music). They are Amazon Night and Malibu.
      TYPE: Environmental; World Music
      ARTISTS: Chuck Jonkey; Carl Malone
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 663 W. California Ave.
      Glendale CA 91203 PHONE: 818.247.6219
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Jonkey Enterprises
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Jonkey Enterprises

 

    • JOSHUA TREE PRODUCTIONS
      JTP, an artist owned label, has a definite international feel. Ricardo Bomba plays Brazilian music, and ZOE combines the sound and sensibility of many nations.
      TYPE: Jazz; New Age; New Music;
      ARTISTS: Ricardo Bomba; ZOE
      CATALOG: No.
      FORMATS: Cassette
      ADDRESS: 8502 E. Vista Dr.
      Scottsdale AZ 85250 PHONE: 602.941.5509
      CONTACT: E. Bruce Porter

 

    • JUNE APPAL RECORDINGS
      Appalshop, a nonprofit media center, glistens like a diamond in the coalfields of Eastern Kentucky. Spun from the Community Film Workshop of Appalachia, an effective job-training program, Appalshop documents and presents regional culture, traditions and social issues. Its tools are film, video, radio, theater and music. June Appal is the center's recording division. Several June Appal albums appear on the Library of Congress Selected List of Sound Recordings. They include Whoa Mule by Lee Sexton; Relics & Treasure by Uncle Charlie Osborne and Rock Dust by Morgan Sexton
      TYPE: Blues; Children's; Celtic; Folk; Gospel;
      ARTISTS: Dusty Miller; Uncle Charlie Osborne; Lee Sexton; Morgan Sexton
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: 306 Madison St.
      Whiteburg NY 41858 PHONE: 606.633.0108
      CONTACT: Carolyn H. Stargill

 

    • JUNGLE RECORDS
      "The inspiration came on a smokey guitar-flashing night
      at Austin's Continental Club," declares a Jungle press
      release. "The LeRoi Brothers were scorching their way
      through another frenetic set, punctuated by rousing vocals
      and a powerhouse rhythm. Something had to be done to get
      this band on vinyl. Bruce Sheehan heard the plea and Jungle
      Records was born."
      What hath Bruce wrought? A record label that celebrates rowdy, riveting music. The LeRoi Brothers inaugural album, Check This Action, was celebrated with a rock and roll parade along Austin's Congress Avenue. The band, ensconced on the bed of a pick-up truck, wailed. Take note of Reggae band Killer Bee's album, Groovin'. It features work by guest artists Cyril Neville; Daryl Johnson; and Timbuk 3.
      TYPE: Cajun; Reggae; Roots Rock.
      ARTISTS: Big Guitars From Texas; Evan Johns and the H-
      Bombs; Highwaymen; Killer Bees; LeRoi Brothers; Wild Seeds.
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Box 3034
      Austin TX 78764 PHONE: 512.443.7444
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Bruce Sheehan

 

    • JUSTICE RECORDS
      Lawyer Randall Jamail worked with his father Joseph on the winning side of the $3 billion Pennzoil v. Texaco lawsuit. His share of the fee let him say goodbye law, hello music. In growing a record company, Jamail has linked an informed musical taste with original business approaches. He introduced accounting systems that are kinder to artists, and marketing methods that limit guesswork. The best Justice news is that the label puts out fine music. Of particular note is Just Friends: A Gathering in Tribute to Emily Remler. Writer Aaron Howard said the album is an excellent memorial to Remler in that "it is a delight from first track to last." The record is a double event because it marks the return of guitarist Herb Ellis to recording. And, yes, Ellis subsequently signed a Justice contract.
      TYPE: Jazz; Rhythm & Blues
      ARTISTS: Herb Ellis; Rebecca Coupe Franks; Kellye Gray; Stefan Karlsson; King & Moore; Emily Remler; Harry Sheppard
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 3100 Alabama Ct.
      Houston TX 77027 PHONE: 713.520.6669
      A&R CONTACT:
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT:
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT:

 

    • KALEIDOSCOPE RECORDS
      The adjectives for Kaleidoscope tumble out quickly -- bold, eclectic, sharp, delightful. A label with strong folk roots, Kaleidoscope has built an engaging catalog. The Bobs, an a capella group are vocal virtuosi. They have a wide musical range, leavened with a sense of humor. The group's Grammy-nominated Sing the Songs of album features a memorable "Helter Skelter." You'll also find distinctive bluegrass by the likes of the Good Ol' Persons and banjoist Don Reno. Some revere the label primarily for its series of Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys radio transcriptions. Wills is the sire of western swing, that heady blend of jazz and traditional country music that was so popular in the '30s and '40s. Western swing in general and Wills in particular directly influenced both rock and roll and country music.
      TYPE: Bluegrass; Cajun; Children's; Country, Western; Folk; Rock; Western Swing
      ARTISTS: The Bobs; Good Ol' Persons; Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick; The Sundogs; Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys; Kate Wolf
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMAT: CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Video
      ADDRESS: PO Box O
      El Cerrito CA 94530 PHONE: 510.845.9200
      A&R CONTACT: Clarence Thomas
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Jeff Alexson
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Jeff Alexson

 

    • KAMEI RECORDINGS
      A tasteful jazz label, Kamei is affiliated with GSP Recordings. The artists habitually receive praise. For example, Option Magazine's John Baxter said with the album, Still of the Night, Bruce Forman "fashioned what may become a classic jazz guitar recording."
      TYPE: Jazz; Pop
      ARTISTS: Bruce Forman; Jeff Linsky; Alex Murzyn; Morning & Jim Nichols
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassett
      ADDRESS: 1411 Clement St.
      San Francisco CA 94118 PHONE: 415.668.3540
      A&R CONTACT: Dean Kamei
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Pat Phillips
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Dean Kamei

 

    • KARIBU PRODUCTIONS
      "I was working with James "Guitar Slim" Stephens as part of my research for the Southern Folklife Project at Chapel Hill," said folklorist Tim Duffy, "He told me about Guitar Gabriel and urged me to find this guy." It seems that Guitar Gabriel, once known as Nyle Jones, was an amazing guitarist with ties to "Blind Boy" Fuller, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Mance Lipscombe. He walked away from a recording career because he disliked being ripped off. Gabe performed locally in churches and clubs when Duffy located him on March 27, 1991. The two started working together and Gabe's new career blossomed. They've done eighty-five shows together, including festivals in Europe, and they made their first tape, Toot's Blues.
      TYPE: Blues
      ARTISTS: Guitar Gabriel
      CATALOG: Free * FORMATS: Cassette, CD
      ADDRESS: PO Box 12522
      Winston Salem NC 27117-2522 PHONE: 919.784.4363**
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Tim Duffy
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Tim Duffy

 

    • KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL
      Since 1972, a friendly folk festival in Kerrville (TX) 1972-5, has showcased singer/songwriters and won admiration from all over the country. It's been praised as the single most important songwriter event in the country and, The Los Angeles Times said, "in a world that seems depersonalized, an endearing example of the musicians playing for the love of it." Festival officials record the event every year for documentation, and some copies are made available to the public. Most are out of print; but eight or nine volumes, in varying quantities, are on sale.
      TYPE: Folk
      ARTISTS: Various
      CATALOG: No FORMATS: Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Box 1466
      Kerrville TX 78029 PHONE: 512.257.3600 (area code changes to 210 after 11/1/92
      A&R CONTACT: Rod Kennedy

 

    • KICKING MULE RECORDS
      Kicking Mule started pounding its hooves in the early 1970s as an outlet for acoustic guitar music. The first albums were by Stefan Grossman, who at the time was part-owner of the company with Ed Denson. ("Stefan had ten albums," said Ed Denson, "and he had taken them to every label in the country. Nobody wanted them. We put them out and found everybody else was wrong.") Kicking Mule, discovering a market of eager guitarists, issued books that showed fingering. Other instruments joined the mix, as did other excellent acoustic musicians joined the label. Eclectic, inventive guitarist Bob Brozman shines on Snappping the Strings. (Note guest appearance by George Winston.) The cowboy band Horse Sense has taken its authentic Western music on USIA-sponsored tours of the world. Kicking Mule's 48-page catalog presents recordings, instruction books and tapes, and videos from KM and other companies.
      TYPE: Blues; Country, Western; Folk; Music Instruction;
      ARTISTS: Janita Baker; Bob Brozman; Horse Sense; Madeline MacNeill; Melissa Morgan;
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Box 158
      Alderpoint CA 95411 PHONE: 707.926.53128
      CONTACT: Ed Denson

 

    • KNITTING FACTORY WORKS
      No less an authority than the Wall Street Journal proclaimed the Knitting Factory to be the nightclub that "singlehandedly invigorated, if not created an eclectic post-punk jazz rock music scene..." The Journal is right again. Opened in 1987 the club, owned by Michael Dorf and Bob Appel, quickly and serendipitously moved from being the cozy coffee house/all good organic foods to eat/bar/art gallery/ performance space to the leading leading edge spot in town. The food service is gone; but the sincerity remains. The influence has grown, what with Knitting Factory festivals, a "Live at the Knitting Factory" syndicated radio show, and now the record label. The albums mirror the club's "down with musical borderlines" attitude.
      TYPE: Jazz; New Age; New Music;
      ARTISTS: Samm Bennett; Thomas Chapin; Defunkt; Amy Denio; The Jazz Passengers; Spanish Fly; Zahar
      CATALOG: Free FORMATTS: CD; Video
      ADDRESS: 47 E. Houston St.
      New York NY 10012 PHONE: 212.219.3006

 

    • KOLEET PRODUCTIONS
      TYPE: Children's; Jewish
      ARTISTS: Cindy Paley
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: Cassette
      ADDRESS: 14246 Chandler Blvd.
      Sherman Oaks CA 91401 PHONE: 818.907.8954
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Cindy Paley
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Cindy Paley

 

    • KOM-A-DAY
      This label specializes in the tall tales and outrageous stories of Cajun humorists.
      TYPE: Cajun, Comedy
      ARTISTS: Dave Pettijean; Justin Wilson
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: Cassette, Vinyl
      ADDRESS: PO Drawer 10
      Ville Platte LA 70586 PHONE: 318.363.2139
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Floyd Soileau
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Floyd Soileau
    • KOCH INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS
      Headquartered in the Austrian Tyrol village of Elbigenalp (pop. 1,000), Koch has given classical music lovers something to yodel about. Back in 1975, the then twenty-three-year-old Franz Koch, keyboardist for an Austrian pop group, launched his label. He began with Austrian folk music because he felt a market existed. (He was right.) He wanted to be an international player so he moved to middle of the road music and then classical. TV advertising of the folk music helped fuel an expansion that included the opening of CD and LP factories and the formation of a record distributing service. Regional divisions opened in Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the U.S.A. It first acted in the States as a distributor. The American record label, born in 1990, immediately hit the Billboard charts and secured two Grammy nominations. Joseph McClellan of the Washington Post wrote that, "Koch demonstrates superbly the special value of small vs. large record companies. These competing values can be summed up in terms of imagination and care (small labels) vs. economic muscle and the right connections (large labels)." The Koch catalog includes the recordings of the many other companies it distributes.
      TYPE: Classical
      ARTISTS: American Chamber Players; Atlantic Sinfonietta; New York Festival of Song; New Zealand Sympghony Orchestra; Phoenix Symphony Orchestra
      CATALOG: FREE FORMAT: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: Musimail
      PO Box 485
      Westbury NY 11590-0485
      A&R CONTACT: A&R Dept.
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: A&R Dept.
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Customer Service
    • KOMOTION INTERNATIONAL
      About forty musicians belong to this artists' collective. They rehearse and record there. They also do shows in the performance space. Komotion also presents evenings of poetry, dance, performance art, and exhibits in the visual arts. The recordings include compilations and magazines on cassette. The Looters album displays a style that attracts San Francisco audiences -- strong harmony, solid rock rhythm and world music influences.
      TYPE: Experimental; Rock; Spoken; World Music;
      ARTISTS: Beatnigs; Josef Brinckman; The Looters; Alejandro Merguia; Political Asylum; Yeastie Girlz
      CATALOG: Send self-addressed stamped envelope
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Video
      ADDRESS: PO Box 410502
      San Francisco CA 94141-0502
      PHONE: 415.648.4923
      CONTACT: Komotion
    • KOPAESTHETICS RECORDS
      Computer consultant Bob Drake says he entered the record biz without realizing it. He felt 1938, a cabaret show starring Ricky Ritzel and Spider Saloff just had to be recorded. After all, Saloff and Ritzel are major cabaret artists. Bob Harrington of the New York Post reported, "Ritzel's gravelly voice and Saloff's pure disciplined tones stand in dark contrast; but they have two things in common: They know how to sell a song and they're both superb musical comedians." So Drake went and made the recording. He figured he could recover expenses by selling copies to audience members who wanted a souvenir. An attack of serendipity caused Drake to record a second album, this by the Fine Young Madrigals. The singers are Shakespearean actors and their robust performance demonstrates why madrigals were seventeenth century pop music. Two albums convinced Drake that he indeed was a record label.
      TYPE: Blues; Broadway; Classical; Folk; Jazz; Middle of the Road; New Age; Pop; Rock;
      ARTISTS: Fine Young Madrigals; Ricky Ritzel; Spider Saloff
      CATALOG: Free
      FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 410 W. 53rd St., #223
      New York NY 10019 PHONE: 212.765.6901
      A&R CONTACT: Bob Drake
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Kiki Belle
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Tim Tattan

 

    • KORA PRODUCTIONS
      David Gilden doesn't even remember why he decided to attend a 1978 Smithsonian concert of music from Mali. But the event changed his life. When he entered the museum, he was a third year jazz composition major at Berklee College of Music, and he had a particular interest in synthesizers. When he walked out, he knew his future was the multi-stringed Kora, an African harp. Today Gilden plays a 21-string Kora from Gambia (W. Africa), and he named his record company after the instrument. His first album, Jato (The Lion), shows his ease with traditional West African music. His third album, Ancestral Voices, shows he did not toss his previous training into the trash can. Deedee Finney of Option called the newer album "an artful cross-cultural amalgam." She added that Ancestral Voices is "lush with Fairlight electronics, fretless bass, Zimbabean thumb pianos, Chinese and Javanese gongs, chimes, birds. . . Stark traditional pieces are cushioned by grand-visioned themes (a la Kitaro) and expansive motifs -- in the ECM Jazz sense..." TYPE: High Tech World;
      ARTISTS: David Gilden
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
      ADDRESS: 5802 Meadow Dr.
      Frederick MD 21702 PHONE: 617.923.9879
      CONTACT: David Gilden

 

    • KOSS CLASSICS
      The Koss Corporation manufactures fine stereophones and therefore gives the world an earful of music. In 1989, the company ventured one step further. That's when Michael Koss became shocked by the small number of American orchestras that were recording. Koss Classics was a remedy. This diligent enterprise delivers underplayed works by major composers, as performed by undernoticed but fine symphonic ensembles.
      "We're out here to preserve American orchestras," explained a company spokesman. "That's how it started and that's how it's continued."
      TYPE: Classical
      ARTISTS: Foss Festival Players (Lukas Foss); Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (Raymond Leppard); Milllar Brass Ensemble; Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (Zdenek Macal); Gillian Weir
      CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD
      ADDRESS: 4129 N. Port Washington
      Milwaukee WI 53212 PHONE: 1.800.USA.KOSS
      A&R CONTACT: Michael Koss
      LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Michael Koss
      VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Paul Barragry

 

o       LA LOUISIENNE RECORDS
Carol Rachou, a Cajun who could speak French fluently wanted to record fellow Cajun Alex Broussard in 1958. He didn't want to put a French song on the jazz label he already owned, so La Louisienne was born. The new label became his main concern. He recorded and produced 95% of the music himself. Carol's son, David, who grew up with the company, took over in the mid-'80s. The fine recording artists, most of whom were Cajun, helped the company develop its reputation for quality. Country star Eddy Raven is now with a major, but his first album is still in the La Louisienne catalog. Beausoleil Accordionist Jimmy Breaux's recent album, displays his more traditional side. Guitarist David Doucet joined him on this one.
TYPE: Cajun, Country, Western
ARTISTS: Nathan Abshire; Jimmy C. Newman; Eddy Raven; Aldous Roger; Ambrose Thibedeaux; Rufus Thibedeaux
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: 711 Stevenson St.
Lafayette LA 70501 PHONE: 318.234.5577
CONTACT: David Rachou

      • LANDMARK
        This is a small label that was established by a major
        jazz catalyst, Orrin Keepnews. Now it is part of the Fantasy, Inc.
        TYPE: Jazz
        ARTISTS: Bobby Hutcherson; Yusef Lateef; Keith
        MacDonald; Jack DeJohnette; Ron Carter
        CATALOG: FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
        ADDRESS: Tenth and Parker
        Berkeley CA 94710 PHONE:
        LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Legal Dept.
        VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Kirk Roberts
      • LAND O' JAZZ
        PO Box 26393
        New Orleans LA 70186
        TYPE: Jazz.
        ARTISTS: Eddie Miller, Armand Hug, Raymond Burke, Plato Smith.
        ALBUM: "Just Friends"/ Eddie Miller, Armand Hug $8.95.
        With song titles like "Lazy River" and "'S Wonderful,"
        it seems that Land O' Jazz gives asylum to those looking for
        good times.

o       LANDSLIDE RECORDS
450 14th St. NW
Suite 201
Atlanta GA 30318
TYPE: Alternative Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz
ARTISTS: Zeitgeist, Nappy Brown, Love Tractor, The
Heartfixers.
ALBUM: "Tore Up"/ d Nappy Brown with the Heartfixers.
$9.50.

·        ·        LASER RECORDS
1304 Fletcher Rd.
Tifton GA 37194
TYPE: Rock, New Wave.
ARTISTS: DDT, The Upbeats
ALBUM: "Beat City"/ The Upbeats. $11.30.

o       LAURIE RECORDS
In the '50s and '60s, a brash independent label sent songs to the heart of America by such artists as The Chiffons, The Passions, Dion and Gary "U.S." Bonds. It had a monster novelty hit, "Snoopy and the Red Baron," by the Royal Guardsmen. And it invaded the American pop charts with such foreign recordings as "Morgan." "Marina" and "Petite Fleur." By the late '70s the company was sitting on its assets in the form of previously released material in inventory. First, Laurie did a heavy direct marketing through television number. And then it simply licensed its vintage recordings to other manufacturers. In the mid '80s a new generation came along and introduced some mega-vitamins into the system. Now there's a healthy blend of the golden oldie and the shining newie. An excellent example of the latter is A Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Wild Strawberries. As the Chiffons might have said, this tribute to Carlos Castaneda is "so fine."
TYPE: African; Blues; Country, Western; Folk; Jazz; New Age; Rock
ARTISTS: Blackfoot; The Chiffons; Dion and the Belmonts; Charlie Louvin; Ted Taylor; Wild Strawberries
CATALOG: Free
FORMAT: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 450 Livingston St.
Norwood NJ 07648 PHONE: 201.767.5551
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Robert Schwartz
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Ron Bollon (301.686.2486)

o       LEONARDA PRODUCTIONS
In the mid-'70s, violinist Marnie Hall pizzacatoed away
with three other women in a string quartet.
"Do you," audiences invariably would ask, "play music
by women composers?"
The answer was no. In fact, Hall only knew of one woman
composer. She didn't fret. Instead, she studied the matter
and happily discovered lots of "wonderful music." Leonarda
Productions, founded by Marnie Hall as a nonprofit recording
company, helps the rest of us discover some of this exciting
music.
"We've unearthed a lot of history along the way," says
Marnie Hall, "and were the first or among the first to
record music by Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre; Fanny
Mendelssohn Hensel; Clara Schumann; Josephine Lang; Pauline Viardot-Garcia; Alma Mahler; Rebecca Clarke; and our namesake, Isabelle Leonarda."
Of special note are Leonarda's cassette samplers and the recordings that can be used in the classroom in conjunction with Diane Peacock Jezic's book Women Composers: The Lost Tradition Found.
TYPE: Classical; Jazz; New Music.
ARTISTS: The Atlanta Chamber Players; The Capricorn
Players; Katherine and Kristine Ciesinski; Katherine Hoover.
John Ostendorf; Sharon Robinson;
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: PO Box 1736
Cathedral Station
New York NY 10025 PHONE:
CONTACT: Marnie Hall

o       LIVING MUSIC RECORDS
(See American Gramaphone)
Living Music's founder and principal artist is Paul Winter.

o       LOS HERMANOS RECORDS
Back in 1967, high school students the Hicks Brothers (Bruce and Jerry) and Greg Humphreys had a rhythm & blues band. Now they run a management company and, as of January '91, a record label that specializes in singer-songwriters. The first artist was client David Munyon. Humphreys and Munyon had met in Nashville. Humphreys was eating in Mack's Cafe. Munyon was singing there for meals and tips. Impressed, Humphreys proffered his card.
Now in California and a client, Munyon got many smiles from the majors but no record contract. The managers decided to do it themselves. Backing Munyon are super sidemen Warren Haynes, Matt Rollings, Leland Sklar, Sneaky Pete and Anthony Crawford.
TYPE: Folk; Jazz; New Age; Rock;
ARTISTS: David Munyon; Jay Patten
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: PO Box 188559
Sacramento CA 95818 PHONE: 916.452.3967
A&R CONTACT: Greg Humphrey
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Bruce Hicks
VOLUME SALES CONTACT:

o       LOST LAKE RECORDS
Box 9388
Stanford CA 94305
TYPE: Reissue of different types of music.
ARTIST: Shadowfax, John Renbourne, Bola Sete, Robbie
Basho.
ALBUM: "Sir JohnALot of"/ John Renbourne. $10.
LOVELY MUSIC
325 Spring St.
New York NY 10013
TYPE: Avant Garde, Experimental
ARTISTS: Robert Ashley, Alvin Lucier, Pauline Oliveros.
ALBUM: "Chicago Slow Dance"/ George Lewis. $10.98

o       LUMINA RECORDS LTD.
236 Lafayette Street #4
New York NY 10012
TYPE: New Music label offering composed and improvised
music.
ARTISTS: Richard Teitelbaum, Ned Rothenberg, John Zorn.
ALBUM: "Blends & the Digital Pianos"/ Richard
Teitelbaum $8.
Lumina specializes in the work of composer/performers.

o       LYRICHORD DISCS
Many master musicians from around the world grace the
Lyrichord recordings. The catalog overflows with references
to the rhythms and instruments of different cultures.
TYPES: African, Asian, Caribbean, Eastern European,
Ethnic.
ARTISTS: Mustapha Tettey Addy, Roberto Lara, The
Jolly Boys, Sir Lancelot, Dr. L Subrmanian.
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 141 Perry St.
New York NY 10014 PHONE: 212.929.8234
A&R CONTACT: Greg Sandberg
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Nick Fritsch
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Greg Sandberg

o       MAD ROVER
TYPE: New Music; Rock
ARTISTS: Fool Launch; Helen Keller Plaid; Texas
Midgets; Vomit Launch.
CATALOG: Send self-addressed stamped envelope Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: PO Box 22243
Sacramento CA 95822
CONTACT: Rich Hardesty

o       MAGENTA RECORDS
Box 9388
Stanford CA 94305
TYPE: Jazz.
ARTISTS: Anthony Braxton, Richard Beirach, Mitchell
Forman, Ben Sidran.
ALBUM: "On the Cool Side"/ Ben Sidran. $10.

o       MAGGIE'S MUSIC
TYPE: British Isles/Celtic, Folk
ARTISTS: Ceoltori, Sue Richards, Maggie Sansone
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: PO Box 4144
Annapolis MD 21403 PHONE: 301.268.3394
CONTACT: Maggie Sansone

o       MAGNA CARTA
Progressive Rock
TYPE: Rock
ARTISTS: Magallan**
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 225 Lafayette St., Ste. 407
New York NY 10012 PHONE:
A&R CONTACT: Doug Keogh
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Doug Keogh
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Relativity (718.740.5700)

o       MAISON DE SOUL
Welcome to another of Floyd Soileau's labels. Maison
de Soul specializes in Zydeco.
TYPE: Blues; Zydeco
ARTISTS: Lynn August; Clifton Chenier; Boozoo Chavis;
Willis Prudhoome; Rockin' Dopsie; Rockin' Sidney; Zydeco
Force
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: PO Drawer 10
Ville Platte LA 70586 PHONE: 318.363.2139
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Floyd Soileau
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Floyd Soileau

o       MALACO RECORDS
PO Box 9287
Jackson MS 39206
TYPE: Blues; Gospel; Rhythm and Blues; Soul
ARTISTS: Bobby Bland, Z. Z. Hill, Missisissippi, Johnnie
Taylor, Formula 5,
Jackson Southernaires, Violinaires, Truthettes.
ALBUM: "Members Only"/Bobby Bland. $8.98.
CATALOG costs $2

o       MALIBU RECORDS
PO Box 4011
Malibu CA 90265
TYPE: Blues, New Wave, Ethnic Russian
ARTISTS: Z.Z. Hill, Avatar, Grisha Dimant.
ALBUM: "A Velvet Soul"/Z.Z. Hill $8.

o       MAME-LOSHN MUSIC
Menke Katz, a renowned Yiddish language poet wrote hundreds of songs, often using the folk melodies he heard in Mikhalishek his village in Lithuania. His grandchildren started this company both to pay homage to him by recording his songs and to further the Yiddish language. Katz's granddaughter Sheh Sheh, though now a high school French teacher, was a rock and roll vocalist.
TYPE: Yiddish
ARTISTS: Sheh-Sheh
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: Cassette
ADDRESS: 61 Sylvia Drive
West Islip NY 11795 PHONE: 516.842.3121
CONTACT: Shelley Sullivan

o       MAMLISH RECORDS
PO Box 417
Cathedral Station
New York NY 10025
TYPE: Primarily Country Blues.
ARTISTS: The Poddrell Brothers, Lonnie Johnson,
Barbecue Bob, Big Joe Williams.
ALBUM: "Barefoot Bill's Hard Luck Blues"/ Ed Bell.
$8.95.

o       MAMMOTH RECORDS
TYPE: Pop; Rock
ARTISTS: Antenna; Big Wheel; Blake Babies Chainsaw Killers; Dillon Fence; Machines of Loving Grace; Vanilla Trainwreck
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: Carr Mill, 2nd Flr.
Carrboro NC 27510 PHONE: 919.932.1882
CONTACT: Jay Faires:

o       MARDI GRAS RECORDS
This label started in 1978. Owner Warren Hildebrand said, "My daddy was a wholesale distributor for all kinds of labels. I saw there was a need for a local label."
TYPE: Cajun; Gospel; Jazz; Ragtime; Rhythm & Blues;
Zydeco
ARTISTS: Dejan's Olympia Brass Band; Rebirth Brass
Band; David Thomas Roberts
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: 3331 St. Charles
New Orleans LA 70115 PHONE:
CONTACT: Warren Hildebrand

o       MASTER TRAK ENTERPRISES
413 N. Parkerson
PO Box 1345
Crowley LA 70526
TYPE: Country, Rock, Louisiana Swamp Music.
ARTISTS: Sonny Landreth, Bob Henderson, Sammy Kershaw,
Tammy Lynn, Judy Ann.
ALBUM: "Way Down in Louisiana"/ Sonny Landreth. $10.

o       MIDNIGHT CIRCUIT
This ambitious label was formed by and to promote talented musicians who gather in the shadow of the Las Vegas bright lights. Despite the diversity of musics, the players are united in their quality. As Midnight Circuit CEO Bill Carr succinctly put it, "These are the pros."
TYPE: Blues; Broadway; Country, Western; Folk; Hispanic, Latin; Jazz; New Music
ARTISTS: Bill Carr Pulse; Hi-Jinx; Larry Lester; Rollen Rodak; "Peg Leg" Paul Ray; Suzette, Suzette
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 1835 E. Charleston, Ste. 101
Las Vegas NV 89104 PHONE: 702.387.6901
A&R CONTACT: Bill Carr
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Chris Pearson
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Larry Jenks

o       MIDNIGHT INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
See, there is this record store/distributor/mail order
vendor in Manhattan. It's across the street from the
Chelsea Hotel, HQ for the ne'er do well, once did well and
shoulda done well. In 1983 the store, Midnight Records
launched the label, Midnight International. The store
continued to sell rock rarities, obscurities and imports.
The label fit right in with the tradition.
"As far as we're concerned," says Midnight founder J.D.
Martignon, "Midnight is a label with limited commercial
ambition and an enormous appetite for undiscovered talent."
TYPE: Rock
ARTISTS: Dimentia 13; the Fuzztones; "Screaming" Jay
Hawkins; Plan 9; Plasticland
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Vinyl
ADDRESS: PO Box 390
Old Chelsea Station
New York NY 10011 PHONE: 212.675.2768

o       MINSTREL RECORDS
35-41 72nd St.
Jackson Heights NY 11372
TYPE: Folk.
ARTISTS: Almeda Riddle, Bob Coltman, Frank Warner, Jeff
Warner & Jeff Davis.
ALBUM: "Come All You Good People"/ Frank Warner. $8.50

o       MISTER ROGERS RECORDS
What can we say about Mr. Rogers? The soft-spoken minister brings so much quality and thought to children's television programming. More important than his ability to communicate with children is what he chooses to communicate. He helps kids work through changes and deal with their feelings. One ounce of Rogers today may spare kids a pound of Bradshaw tomorrow. In addition to recordings, the catalog describes books (some for parents), toys and T-shirts.
TYPE: Children's
ARTISTS: Fred Rogers.
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: Cassette, Vinyl, Video
ADDRESS: 4802 Fifth Ave.
Pittsburgh PA 15213 PHONE: 412.687.2990
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: William Isler
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Patty D'Amore

o       MOABIT MUSIC
150 Fifth Ave.
New York NY 10011
TYPE: New Wave and very ProBettina Koster, Malaria, In the Service of Malaria.
ALBUM:"Beat the Distance"/Malaria. $8.98. This is a
12"
with a 45 rpm side, containing two songs; and a 33 rpm side
containing five songs.

o       MODERN BLUES RECORDINGS
Established in 1987, this label definitely belongs in a bluesphile's blues file. The Freddy King and Albert King reissues are digitally remastered. Detailed liner notes describing artist and sessions accompany the recordings. And the music's pretty good, too. Of Freddy King's Just Pickin', Rolling Stone wrote, "...A bonanza of uptempo roadhouse stompers, all twenty-four carat crunch..." The company started a series of new recordings with Rockin' Eighty-Eights, showcasing three piano greats -- Johnnie Johnson, Clayton Love, and Jimmy Vaughn. ("If there's been a better blues/R&B album released this decade, I've missed it." Rick Swenson of Record Roundup.)
TYPE: Blues
ARTISTS: Johnnie Johnson; Albert King; Freddy King; Clayton Love; Jerry Portnoy; Jimmy Vaughn
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: 41 Old Middletown Rd.
Pearl River NY 10965 PHONE: 914.735.3144
CONTACT: Daniel Jacoubovitch

o       MONTANA FOLKLIFE  Council
35 South Last Cha ( MT 59620
TYPE: Traditional Music and Narratives from Montana.
ARTISTS: Wally McRae (cowboy poet), Ken Trowbridge
(singer), Allec Allery (Red River fiddler)
ALBUM: "When the Work's All Done This Fall: Songs,
Stories and Poems from Montana Cattle Camps and Cow
Trails."/ compilation. $7.50

o       MONSTER MUSIC
A manufacturer of high end hi fi cables (those octopus tentacles that connect your stereo components to each other) Monster Cable Products created this record label. This proves that Monster is plugged into music in more ways than one. The new venture was started, according to company president Noel Lee, in order to "...release recordings of exceptional music quality that have been recorded in a style that captures the true essence and feel of the talent that performs it." What saves this mission statement from being a pompous declaration is the company's act of signing daring and engaging artists of quality. The Looters, for example, is a highly political, highly praised, underrecorded band described by Bay area journalist Jonathan E. as "...a San Francisco musical institution...epitomizing the best that The City has to offer."
TYPE: Hip Hop; World;
ARTISTS: Looters; Marlene; Midnight Voices
CATALOG: No FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 274 Wattis Way
So. San Francisco CA 94080 PHONE: 415.871.6000
CONTACT: Thad Wharton

o       MONTUNO RECORDS
TYPE: Caribbean; Haitian; Hispanic, Latin; Jazz.
ARTISTS: Batacumbele; Manny Oquendo/Libre; Airto/Flora
Purim; Armando Sanchez; Ska Sha; Maurice Sixto; Tabou Combo.
CATALOG: ?
FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: 1470 Broadway
* BMT Subway Mezzanine
New York NY 10036 PHONE: 212.840.0580
CONTACT: Jesse Moscowitz

o       MOSS MUSIC GROUP
48 W. 38th St.
New York NY 10018
TYPE: "Diversified line of Classical, Cross-over, Jazz
and Popular repertoire." Also environmental material (as in
nature sound effects).
ARTISTS: Sviatoslav Richter, Tokyo String Quartet,
Jascha Heifetz, Anthony Newman, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and
Barbara Cook.
ALBUM:” Golden Voices of Zarzuelas"/ Placido Domingo,
Monserrat Caballe, et.al. $9.23
MMG is a mini-conglomerate of several labels offering
lots of Classical, some good Jazz and a few other very
specialized forms.

§         MOTION PICTURE BROADCASTING & RECORDED SOUND DIVISION
Library of Congress
Washington DC 20540
TYPE: Folk, Poetry.
ARTISTS: Roy Acuff, Son House, Aunt Molly Jackson,
Woody Guthrie, T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Robert Lowell.
ALBUM: "Songs of War and History"/ Compilation
including works by Roy Acuff, Louisiana Red, Wladyslaw Polak. $8.95.
Yes, this is Uncle Sam's own label, and just as
underpromoted as any other independent. Most of the records
are compilations. Many performances were gathered in the field,
as it were. Treasures abound. You may have heard some of these
treasures on the National Public Radio (NPR) series, "Our
American Heritage," hosted by Bob Carlin, a fine musician in
his own right.

§         MULTIPHASE RECORDS & TAPES
PO Box 15176
St. Louis MO 63110
TYPE: New and Progressive Music
ARTISTS: Carl Weingarten, Delay Tactics, Gale Ormiston,
Fo Jammi, Walter Whitney, David Udell.
ALBUM: 'Urban Cabaret, Vol.2/ Cassette Compilation.
$5.99. (Make check payable to Multiphase founder, Carl Weingarten

§         MUSE RECORDS
TYPE: Blues; Jazz
ARTISTS: Graham Haynes; Morgana King; Mark Murphy; Houston Person; Wallace Roney; James Spaulding; Dakota Staton;
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: 160 W. 71st St.
New York NY 10023 PHONE: 212.873.2020
A&R CONTACT: Barney Fields
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT:
VOLUME SALES CONTACT:
160 W. 71st St.

§         MUWORKS RECORDS
The New York Improvisers is made up of Derek Bailey; Fred Frith; Bill Laswell; Sonny Sharrock; John Zorn
 TYPE: Experimental; Jazz; New Music; Rock;
ARTISTS: Pheroan Aklaff; Thomas Chapin; Lunar Bear Ensemble; Machine Gun; Robert Musso; New York Improvisers
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: 111 4th Ave., #5A
New York NY 10003 PHONE: 212.228.7413
A&R CONTACT:
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT:
VOLUME SALES CONTACT:

§         MUSIC OF THE WORLD
Audio Magazine writer Michael Wright described Bob
Haddad of Music of the World this way. "[He's] one of those
rare idealists who prefers to pursue indigenous music rather
than the Top 40.”
TYPE: African; Asian; Cajun; Ethnic; Hispanic, Latin;
World.
ARTISTS: I.K. Dairo; Imrat Khan; Badal Roy; Trichy
Sankaran and Glen Velez.
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: PO Box 3620
Chapel Hill NC 27515 PHONE: 1.919.932.9600
A&R CONTACT: Bob Haddad
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Martha Lorantos

§         MUSIC SOUTH ORGANIZATION
TYPE: Blues; Rockabilly
ARTISTS: Booker T. Laury; Phoebe Lewis; Randy & the
Radiants; Sunbuddies; Carla Thomas; Rufus Thomas.
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: PO Box 9429
San Rafael CA 94912 PHONE: 415.459.6800
A&R CONTACT: Allan Kaplan
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Carol Tufte
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Anthony King

§         MUSIC WEST RECORDS
TYPE: New Age
ARTISTS: James Asher; Jim Chappell; Ekimi; Oystein
Sevag*; Mark Sloniker; Chris Spheeris; Paul Voudourisaus
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: PO Box 9429
San Rafael CA 94912 PHONE: 415.459.6800
A&R CONTACT: Allan Kaplan
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Carol Tufte
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Anthony King

o       NEBULA RECORDS
Starting as the New Age sister company of Centaur, Nebula soon stretched out into jazz. One particularly striking album is Friends, an acoustic work featuring Steve Masacowski, Ellis Marsalis and Rick Margitza.
TYPE: Jazz; New Age; World
ARTISTS: Christopher Boscole; Nancee Kahler; Peter Kater; Steve Masakowski; Bill Norman Group
CATALOG: Free
FORMAT: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 8867 Highland Rd., Ste. 206
Baton Rouge LA 70808 PHONE: 504.336.4877

§         NESAK INTERNATIONAL
By 1989, retirement enticed the then-50-year-old Martin Kasen. He sold his company, Peter Pan Records and Tapes, which he had been running for 27 years. The leisure life -lasted for all of three months. Kasen wanted something to do. The new enterprise is a niche-marketing textbook. The catalog contains a canny mix of themed albums (e.g. "I Love to Dance The Polka," "I Love the Soul of Spain,”...) and artists from around the world who have strong personal followings. So far jazz bassist/singer /songwriter Jay Leonhart is the best-known Nesak artist. His songs and style have earned him comparison to Johnny Mercer, Randy Newman and Dave Frishberg.
TYPE: Caribbean; Classical; Ethnic; Gospel; Jazz; New Age
ARTISTS: Ronnie Benjamin; Iris Gillon; Jay Leonhart; Gilead Limor; New York Theatre Symphony Orchestra
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Video
ADDRESS: 460 Ridgedale
E. Hanover NJ 07936 PHONE: 201.386.5670
CONTACT: Martin Kasen

§         NEW ALBION RECORDS
In the mid 1980s Foster Reed, a mandolinist gave composer friends financial backing so that they could make demos. But record companies ignored them. This music industry arrogance angered Reed and so he started New Albion. Over the years, he has fashioned a label that, as the company's literature puts it, "focuses on the poetic imagination of the post World War II period. Most of the works center on classical composition of the second half of the 20th century; some include music from other cultures, free jazz and new age." Several albums amply demonstrate the New Albion. For example, there's Joan La Barbara's recording of John Cage's Singing Through. This recording, a selection of John Cage vocal works form over five decades, is considered state of the art in both performance and recording. Morton Feldman's Rothko Chapel celebrates a Houston meditation chapel for which painter Mark Rothko was commissioned to create some large paintings
TYPE: New and Unusual Music.
ARTISTS: John Cage, Stuart Dempster; Lou Harrison; Joan
LaBarbara; Pauline Oliveros; Margaret Leng Tan; William
Winant.
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD
ADDRESS: 584 Castro St., #515
San Francisco CA 94114 PHONE: 415.621.5757
A&R CONTACT: Foster Reed
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Martha Chesley
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Mike Wilpizeski

§         NEW ALLIANCE RECORDS
TYPE: **
ARTISTS:
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: PO Box 1389
Lawndale CA 90260 PHONE: 213.430.6838
A&R CONTACT:
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT:
VOLUME SALES CONTACT:

§         NEW WORLD RECORDS
701 Seventh Ave.
New York NY 10036
TYPE: Nearly every category of American Music (jazz,
folk, country R&B, Rock, Orchestral, and chamber)
ARTISTS: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, John Phillips
Sousa Band, Cecil Taylor, Max Morath and Bill Monroe.
ALBUM: "Music of Harry Partch and John Cage"/ Partch,
David Tudor, others. $11.98.

§         NEXT STEP RECORDS
You don't have to waltz gingerly anymore. Next Step delivers what ballroom dancers need -- strict rhythms and contemporary sounds. The songs have been written just for the albums, and this definitely is music to dance by. In the words of Terpsichorean Magazine: "Good party tape!"
TYPE: Ballroom; Latin; and Swing Dance
ARTISTS: Rick Rhodes; Sophisticates; Tango Nomads
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 912 E. 3rd St., Studio 104
Los Angeles CA 90013 PHONE: 213.617.3362
CONTACT: Barbara Wright

§         NIGHTHAWK RECORDS
PO Box 15856
St. Louis MO 63114
TYPE: Black Roots Music: Blues & Reggae.
ARTISTS: The Itals, the Gladiators, Henry Townsend,
Justin Hinds & the Dominoes, the Ethiopians.
ALBUM: "Travel With Love"/ Justin Hinds & the Dominoes.
$8.98.

o       NIGHT LIGHT RECORDINGS
PO Box 16
Hillsboro NH 03244
TYPE: Folk
ARTISTS: Tom Rush
ALBUM: "Tom Rush: New Year"/ $10.95

§         NIGHTINGALE RECORDS
This German New Age label is distributed in America by Higher Octave Music. The music ranges from meditative to let-the-spirit-dance. In addition to works by individual artists, two compilations are available. Assembled by Higher Octave, they are Connection and LightDance.
TYPE: African; Asian; Hispanic, Latin; New Age
ARTISTS: Gambheera, Ariel Kalma, Karunesh; Luna, Prabodhi,
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 8033 Sunset Blvd., #41
Los Angeles CA 90068 PHONE: 213.856.0039
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Scott Bergstein

§         NORTH STAR RECORDS
TYPE: Classical; Folk;
ARTISTS: Arthur Delmoni; the Mair-Davis Duo; Tracy
Moore; Judith Sillmann; Bill Thomas; Cheryl Wheeler.
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 95 Hathaway St.
Providence RI 02907 PHONE: 401.755.8400
A&R CONTACT: Ginny Shea
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Bruce Foulke
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Richard Waterman

§         NORTHEASTERN RECORDS
This label first astonished and delighted serious music listeners (mustn't call them fans) because it specialized in classical music's neglected repertoire and new composers. In those days the label was owned by Northeastern University (NU) Press. But then there was a loud background noise, the sound of a financial crunch, and the university prepared to drop the label. Instead Lynn Joiner who operated the record company for NU was allowed to buy it. Privatization strikes again. Now Northeastern Records is being praised for the tasteful way in which it is diversifying.
TYPE: Classical; Country, Western; Ethnic; Folk; Jazz; Rock
ARTISTS: Willie Alexander; The Fringe; Peter Keane; Les Miserables Brass Band; Shirim Klezmer Orchestra; Barry & Holly Tashian; John Lincoln Wright
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: PO Box 3589
Saxonville MA 01701-0605 PHONE: 508.820.4440
CONTACT: Lynn Joiner

§         OLD HOMESTEAD RECORDS
TYPE: Bluegrass; Country, Western; Folk; Gospel; Jazz;
Old Radio.
ARTISTS: The Carter Family, Uncle Dave Macon, The
Delmore Brothers, Charlie Monroe, Larry Sparks.
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: Box 100
Brighton MI 48116
A&R CONTACT: John Morris
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: BMI
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: John Morris

§         OMNISOUND RECORDS
Box 128
Delaware Water Gap PA 18327
TYPE: Jazz specialty
ARTISTS: John Coates, Jr., Bill Goodwin, Dave
Frishberg, Janet Lawson.
ALBUM: "Close Ties"/ Gene Bertoncini and Michael Moore.
$9.98.

§         OPEN SKY RECORDS
In 1979 classical pianist/composer Martin Scott Kosins began a project that was painted with magic. Through chance meetings he was able to secure the services of several remarkably talented people. They agreed to join in a recording of his music, including a narrative (Songs of the Seeker) that honored his spiritual teacher Meher Baba. The artists included actor John Carradine and jazz master Bud Shank. Kosins found record companies were long on interest; but short on contracts. Open Sky was born. Songs... was followed by a children's album, and again Kosins called upon John Carradine. The distinguished actor was joined by Loretta Swit and Keith Carradine. Then Open Sky began a new series -- Great Performers -- for which everyone should give thanks. Quite simply veteran artists (a/k/a/ grownups) were brought back into the recording studio. Highlights include Just Like Old Times by The Ink Spots (not the originals but their direct descendants) and Sentimental reasons by Al Hibbler with the Hank Jones All-Stars. In addition to its leader, the musical combo consists of Buddy Tate, Milt Hinton and OIiver Jackson.
TYPE: Children's; Classical; Jazz; Middle of the Road; Spoken
ARTISTS: John Carradine; Keith Carradine; Al Hibbler; The Inkspots; Hank Jones; Martin Scott Kosins; Buddy Tate
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: 10735 Vernon
Huntington Woods MI 48070 PHONE: 313.546.7558
CONTACT: Martin Scott Kosins

o       ORANGE RECORDS
150 Fifth Ave.
New York NY 10011
TYPE: Punk, Rock
ARTISTS: David Peel, The Squirrels, G.G. Allin, Little
Joe Cook.
ALBUM: "Death to Disco"/ David Peel. $5.98
Orange also offers a picture disc single of "In My
Life." The picture shows John Lennon, Yoko Ono and David Peel
($4.98).

§         §         * ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PO Box 26811
Richmond VA 23261
TYPE: Historical American Organ.
ARTISTS: Thomas Murray, Earl Miller, Lois Regestein,
Rosalind Mohnsen, Brian Franck.
ALBUM: "An Evening at Woolsey Hall"/ Charles Krigbaum.
$15
(2-record set).

§         ORDER RECORDS
Baltimore based classically trained keyboardist Jeff Order is a prolific composer/producer. He has a string of jingles, soundtracks and theme songs under his belt. He also has his own record company for which he records new age works twat are highly regarded. Todd Hauser of WSUP radio said that Order's Isis Unveiled is "truly a wonderful work of art!"
TYPE: New Age
ARTISTS: Jeff Order
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette
ADDRESS: 6503 York Rd.
Baltimore MD 21212 PHONE: 410.377.2270
A&R CONTACT: Joyce Klein
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Joyce Klein
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Ron Bollon (Laurie) 800.344.8249

§         ORIGIN JAZZ LIBRARY/SUNBEAM/TESTAMENT
The Origin umbrella covers splendid, significant, and (it's only fair to mention) entertaining reissues on three labels -- Origin Jazz Library (OJL), Sunbeam and Testament. OJL and Testament specialize in blues. Its compilations give stirring overviews of styles, regions and instruments. Sunbeam, primarily offering broadcast transcription and soundtrack albums, is more of a swing and nostalgia label.
TYPE: Bluegrass; Blues; Broadway; Comedy; Film Soundtracks; Folk; Gospel; Jazz; and Pop
ARTISTS: Tommy Dorsey; Benny Goodman; Lonnie Johnson; Al Jolson; Fred McDowell; Charlie Patton; Otis Spann;
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: Vinyl
ADDRESS: Box 85
Santa Monica CA 90406 PHONE: 90406
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Bill Givens
VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Bill Givens
TYPE: Guitar and piano folk blues exclusively.
ALBUM:” The Mississippi Blues No. 1 - 1927-40"/
Compilation of songs by Bukka White, Mississippi John Hurt, Son House,
others. $9.95.

§         ORIGINAL CAST RECORDS
Here's a haunting melody: The show was a flop; but the songs survived. This label specializes in cast albums of "flop shows that have wonderful music." Have you ever wondered what happened to the musical version of Flowers For Algernon? It's here, and it stars Phantom of the Opera's Michael Crawford. An Original Cast best-seller is Craig Carnelia's Is There Life After High School? Many cabaret singers love Carnelia's songs.
TYPE: Broadway
ARTISTS: Jill Eikenberry; Angela Lansbury; Andrea Marcovicci; Robert Morse; Chita Rivera; Patti LuPone; Paul Sorvino.
CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
ADDRESS: Box 496
Georgetown CT 06829 PHONE: 203.438.2663
LICENSING & PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Bruce Meko

§         ORIGINAL MUSIC
It seems as if John Storm Roberts took his journey through life just so we could benefit from Original Music, the company founded by him and Anne Needham. Born and raised in England, he discovered music through the record player and flamenco albums his parents gave him. Oxford-educated and a journalist by inclination, he developed an intimate knowledge of African music while working on the East African Standard in Nairobi. Pneumonia took him to London where he worked for the BBC as a producer and translator. Then he moved to New York where he edited the magazine Africa Today. During this period he began his field recordings and wrote major books about music, Black Music of Two Worlds and The Latin Tinge. Original Music began as a "scheme" to help sell his two books and one field recording of African music that had pressed into
vinyl. Original has grown. The many Original releases are joined in the catalog by noteworthy world music recordings from other labels, as well as books and videos. The catalog, chatty and instructive is a gem all by itself. from other companies, is released quarterly
TYPES: African; Caribbean; Hispanic, Latin
ARTISTS: Losta Abelo; Francis Bebey; I.K. Dairo; Kimo Kids; Oriental Brothers; Tempos
CATALOG: Free
FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Video
ADDRESS: 418 Lasher Rd.
Tivoli NY 12583 PHONE: 914.756.2767
LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: John Storm Roberts

§         ORPHAN RECORDS
PO Box 86
Sterling Heights MI 48311-0086
TYPE: Rock, New Music, Urban, Specialty Musics.
ARTISTS: Jimmy Lifton, Steve Danger & High Voltage, The
Voice, Ian Caution.
ALBUM:” Jimmy Lifton"/$5. An EP with six songs.

§         OVERTONE RECORDS
216 Stratford Street
Syracuse NY 13210
TYPE: Classical
ARTISTS: Helen Boatwright, Paul Hindemith, Albert
Fuller, Aldo Parisot.
ALBUM: "Collegium Musicum of Yale University School of
Music, conducted by Paul Hindemith. Vol. I"/ Includes works
by Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, Weelke and Gesualdo. $10.

      • OWL RECORDING
        For more than 25 years, Owl has been releasing distinctive recordings of classical music with an emphasis on the contemporary repertoire. The high musical quality is matched by recording quality that meets audiophile standards. Owl tends to stress the composers whose works it records. Representative composers include Morton Subotnick; Vincent Perischetti; Samuel Barber; Daniel Gutwein; Iannis Xenakis; George* Rochberg; Ted Dockstader; and John Luther Adams. Of Daniel Gutwein's With Honor and with Dignity, Ear Magazine testified, "Ominous and foreboding...dream-like, ethereal...dramatic, propelled by active rhythms and searing shards of sound..."
        TYPE: Classical; Experimental; New Music
        ARTISTS: Arctic Chamber Orchestra; Ellen Burmeister; Columbine Chamber Orchestra; Daniel Gutwein; Ramon Kireilis; Sharon Mabry; The Prism Orchestra
        CATALOG: Free FORMATS: CD, Vinyl
        ADDRESS: PO Box 4536
        Boulder CO 80306 PHONE: 303.449.6510
        LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Write to company
        VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Write to company
      • PAINTED SMILES RECORDS
        Life may not be a cabaret; but that's not Ben Bagley's fault. Bagley, a producer/director of off-Broadway revues, changed direction in the early 1970s and started Painted Smiles Records. The label specializes in little known and/or previously unrecorded show music of Broadway's most famous composers. Because of his theatre ties, he continues to get some top-of-the-marquee names to work with him.
        The Painted Smiles CD, Cole Porter Revisited Volume 5, was named number one vocal recording of the year by Tower records. (Natalie Cole came in number 3.) Performing on the album are Ann Hampton Callaway, Arthur Siegel, Sandy Stewart, Tommy Tune, and Julie Wilson.
        74-09 37th Avenue
        Jackson Heights NY 11372
        Charlie Johnston
        TYPE: The ARTISTS: Katharine Hepburn, Richard Chamberlain,
        Margaret Whiting, Bobby Short, Barbara Cook, Blossom Dearie.
        ALBUM: "Tallulah"/ the original cast album with Helen
        Gallagher $10.83.
        • PALO ALTO RECORDS
          755 Page Mill Rd.
          Palo Alto CA 94304
          TYPE: Jazz
          ARTISTS: Mal Waldron, Elvin Jones, Linda Hopkins, Tom
          Scott, McCoy Tyner.
          ALBUM: "Jazz Monterey"/ Choice moments from 25 years of
          the Monterey Jazz Festival. $13.97
      • PAR T
        413 N. Parkerson
        PO Box 1345
        Crowley LA 70526
        TYPE: Comedy.
        ARTISTS: Jeb & Cousin Easy, Sammy Kershaw, Reverend
        Calhoun,
        "Jus" Casey.
        ALBUM: "Laughin' With Jeb and Cousin Easy"/ (includes
        the golf game routine). $10
      • PATHWAYS OF SOUND
        6 Craigie Circle
        Cambridge MA 02138
        TYPE: Spoken Word and Folk Music.
        ARTISTS: E. B. White, Julie Harris, Jessica Tandy, Hume
        Cronyn, Lauren Bacall.
        ALBUM: "A. A. Milne's 'Winnie The Pooh' Read by Maurice
        Evans"/ $11.98.
        Joe Berk founded the company "to heighten appreciation of
        the written word."
      • PAUSA RECORDS
        PO Box 10069
        Glendale CA 91209
        TYPE: Total Jazz, including Big Band, Mainstream,
        Fusion, Contemporary.
        ARTISTS: Four Freshmen, Alphonse Mouzon, Tom Grant, Dan
        Siegel, Susannah McCorkle, Rob McConell.
        ALBUM: "Wishful Thinking"/ Wishful Thinking. $10.48 *
      • PHILO RECORDS
        This is one of the Rounder family of labels. Philo is devoted to most acoustic kind of angloish folk music.
        TYPE: Folk
        ARTISTS: Nanci Griffith; Christine Lavin; Patty Larkin; Mary McCaslin; Utah Phillips; Jean Redpath; Kilimanjaro; Bill Staines.
        CATALOG:
        FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
        ADDRESS: 1 Camp St.
        Cambridge MA 02140 PHONE: 617.354.0700
        A&R CONTACT: A & R Dept.
        LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Bill Nowlin
        VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Duncan Browne
        c/o Roundup Records
        PO Box 154
        N. Cambridge MA 02140
      • PDS RECORDS
        TYPE: Dance/House music; Hip Hop; Pop; Rap; Reggae; Rhythm & Blues; Soul;
        ARTISTS: Black Hostages; Tony D.; Jam Master A.D.J.
        CATALOG: No FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Video
        ADDRESS: PO Box 412477
        Kansas City MO 64141 PHONE: 816.523.5100
        A&R CONTACT: Derrick Peters
        LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Pete Shivers
      • PERFORMANCE RECORDS
        When Stephen Kaplan and Art Marko are asked to define Performance, they refer to a Stereo review summation of the label: "Twilight Zone music from beyond." It is an apt enough description for a company whose catalog includes Charles Manson, Slappin' Mammy's Blackface in Bondage (a heavy metal tribute to Al Jolson) and the soundtracks from Plan 9 From Outer Space and Turn on, Tune in, Drop Out. Then there is G.G. Allin, a scatological performer -- not in word but in deed. "We are interested in records that major labels will not and cannot deal with," explained Stephen Kaplan. These also include some notable reissues from the 60s, such as Little Bit of Soul: The Very Best of the Music Explosion
        TYPE: Experimental; Rock; Soundtrack
        ARTISTS: G.G. Allin; Blotto; Timothy Leary; Charles Manson; Nico; Slaves of New Brunswick;
        CATALOG: No
        FORMATS: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
        ADDRESS: 2 Oak St.
        New Brunswick NJ 06901 PHONE: 908.545.3004
        A&R CONTACT: Stephen Kaplan
        LICENSING AND PERMISSIONS CONTACT: Stephen Kaplan
        VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Art Marko
      • PLEIADES RECORDS
        Southern Illinois University Press
        SIU at Carbondale
        Box 3697
        Carbondale IL 62901
        TYPE: Historic Instruments, Chamber Music, Shaker
        Music.
        ARTISTS: Calvert Shenk, Judith Nelson, Stanley Ritchie,
        Malcolm Bilson, Judith Davidoff.
        ALBUM: "Heinrich Ignaz von Biber"s Eight Sonatas for
        Violin and Basso Continuo"/Judith Davidoff and Peter Wolf $17.45
        (2-record set).
      • PM/PLUG RECORDS
        For bassist Gene Perla, the ingredients were all there -- several forms of frustration plus a good measure of happenstance. The frustrations came from the lack of care he noticed in so many of the recordings on which he had played. He was dismayed by "how projects were completed, how mixes were done, how documentation was done on the record covers." Moreover he didn't like the traveling life. ("I didn't really view myself as carrying around a double bass and sleeping in strange beds for the rest of my life.") Happenstance appeared in the form of a fellow musician whose desire to get a record contract meant nothing to the record industry. "I'll do it for you," Perla found himself saying. That was 1972 and more than 25 albums ago. Perla's PM Records is a straight-ahead jazz label that contains a good many joys. You'll notice that a featured player on several albums is Jan Hammer who later gained prominence for the distinctive music he wrote and scored for "Miami Vice." Also, please notice Heads Up by Stone Alliance, Gene Perla's own group.
        TYPE: Jazz
        ARTISTS: Ed Bickert; Jan Hammer; Dave Liebman; Elvin
        Jones; Daphne Hellman; Nina Simone; Stone Alliance.
        CATALOG: Free FORMATS: Cassette, Vinyl
        ADDRESS: 20 Martha St.
        Woodcliff Lake NJ 07675-8027 PHONE:
        1.201.930.9149
        CONTACT: Gene Perla
      • POCKET SONGS
        Welcome to the "What goes around comes around" dept.
        You may recall the Music Minus One (MMO) label that began in
        1951 when the LP was in diapers. It offered instrumental
        arrangements with one part missing so that the musician at
        home could rehearse with the recorded ensemble. Pocket
        Songs, launched in 1985 by the MMO originator, renews the
        concept in this age of Karaoke. It provides instrumental
        background for singers. Each song on a Pocket Songs album
        comes in two versions -- with and without a vocal. The
        vocal, recorded on the right channel, is intended to be a
        guide. You sing along, gradually turning the right channel
        down. When you're ready to fly solo, you take it home with
        the instrumental version. Pocket Songs has a library of
        more than 700 albums.
        ARTISTS: You
        TYPE: Blues; Broadway; Children's; Country, western;
        ethnic; gospel; Hispanic, Latin; jazz; Reggae; Rhythm & Blues; Rock; Soul
        CATALOG: Free
        FORMATS: CD, Cassette,
        ADDRESS: 50 S. Buckhout St.
        Irvington NY 10533 PHONE:
        LICENSING & PERMISSIONS CONTACT: David Kratka
        VOLUME SALES CONTACT: Chris Reising
  • PRIVATE MUSIC
    220 E. 23rd St.
    New York NY 10010
    TYPE: Predominantly instrumental, a blending of
    acoustic and synthesizer sounds.
    ARTISTS: Jerry Goodman, Patrick O'Hearn, Sanford
    Ponder.
    ALBUM: "Ancient Dreams"/Patrick O'Hearn $11.98
    (cassette) The album is produced by Private Music founder Peter Bauman,
    a former member of Tangerine Dream.
    The label offers only CDs and cassettes --"no vinyl!"
     Feedback
  • And don't forget to read about regional indies.

·        ·        Copyright © 1992, 2002 Norman Schreiber
Reproduction of all or any contents in any media without permission is a strict no-no.

 

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