Indies: The Ultimate Guide
to Independent Record Labels & Artists

For labels A-F
For labels R-Z
Welcome to Indies

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
LICEN

Indies: The Ultimate Guide to Independent Record Labels & Artists

For labels A-F For labels R-Z Welcome to Indies

Indies: The Ultimate Guide
to Independent Record Labels & Artists

For labels A-F
For labels R-Z
Welcome to Indies