CONCORD BICYCLE MUSIC LAUNCHES CRAFT RECORDINGS;
REISSUE LABEL ENCOMPASSES GROUP’S VAST AND HISTORIC CATALOG
CRAFT RECORDINGS CELEBRATES LEGENDARY CATALOG WITH
HIGH-END VINYL AND DELUXE BOX SETS INCLUDING INAUGURAL RELEASE,
JOHN COLTRANE & THELONIOUS MONK:
COMPLETE 1957 RIVERSIDE RECORDINGS VINYL COLLECTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – APRIL 25th, 2017 - LOS ANGELES, CA – Concord Bicycle Music is proud to announce the establishment of Craft Recordings as its reissue label, rebranding the company’s growing catalog division to better serve its vast collection of historically significant and musically diverse master recordings and compositions. Drawing from a rich and storied repertoire that includes both legendary artists and labels, Craft Recordings will offer a tightly curated selection of deluxe CD and vinyl box sets, hi-resolution digital albums, as well as stand-alone LPs. Using the original analog masters whenever possible, the company will create thoughtfully produced, detailed packaging with a commitment to preservation and a meticulous devotion to quality. Further, Craft Recordings will continue to partner with artists and estates to preserve and enhance the musical heritage of these landmark recordings and compositions.
In recent years, Concord Bicycle Music has continued to expand its catalog holdings and is now home to a remarkable collection of titles that includes the music of seminal alt-rock band R.E.M., super group the Traveling Wilburys (George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison), celebrated folk and jazz label Vanguard and country powerhouse Sugar Hill Records. These additions join a celebrated family of historic imprints including Fantasy, Rounder, Stax, Milestone, Prestige, Nitro, Riverside, Specialty, Telarc and Vee-Jay Records, whose catalogs will now be issued under the Craft Recordings label.
“As our catalog has continued to grow, it became apparent that we needed an over-arching label brand,” said Sig Sigworth, President, Craft Recordings. “Our focus is on delivering first-class, creative releases and innovative marketing approaches for our artists. Craft Recordings was an obvious choice, as it reflects that commitment right in the label name.”
“Sig and his team have done a spectacular job, working with our artists to develop thoughtfully-curated releases with high-quality packaging,” stated Scott Pascucci, CEO, Concord Bicycle Music. “The Craft Recordings label will soon be recognized as an industry leader by both artists and fans.”
Music fans can expect a wide array of Craft releases in 2017. Titles will include a 25th anniversary edition of R.E.M.’s Automatic for the People, a box set celebrating the centennial of John Lee Hooker, new LPs from the popular Jazz Dispensary line of titles, a series of audiophile-quality single artist album reissues, and curated playlists. A deluxe vinyl edition of Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane’s Complete 1957 Recordings will be Craft Recordings’ premiere release. Due out May 26th, 2017, this box set will feature new artwork, rare photos and 180-gram vinyl pressed at RTI from lacquers cut by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA. The release will celebrate the brief but prolific intersection of genius between two of jazz’s all-time luminaries. Rounding out the package is an insightful essay by the late Orrin Keepnews, who, as producer of the original sessions, was present at the creation of every note.
About Concord Bicycle Music:
Concord Bicycle Music is one of the largest independent recorded music and publishing companies in the world. With offices in Beverly Hills, New York, Nashville and Cleveland, Concord Bicycle Music is comprised of Concord Music Group and The Bicycle Music Company. Concord Music Group primarily manages the company’s recorded music activities, while The Bicycle Music Company oversees publishing and rights management.
Concord Bicycle Music's portfolio of more than 10,000 active album recordings includes at least 243 Grammy winners and 370 RIAA certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum releases. Concord Bicycle Music's songbook includes over 120,000 copyrighted works and more than 750 Billboard chart hits.
The company’s celebrated family of labels includes Bicycle, Concord, Craft, Fantasy, Fearless, Hear Music, HighTone, Kidz Bop, Loma Vista, Milestone, Nitro, Prestige, Razor & Tie, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Sugar Hill, Telarc, Vanguard, Vee-Jay and Wind-up.
Concord Bicycle Music is owned by Barings Alternative Investments, Sound Investors, and seventy institutional and individual partners, including forty members of the company’s management team. Barings Alternative Investments is a leading investor in intellectual property assets including music, other copyrights, filmed content and patents and trademarks, with over $7.4 billion in total assets under management. At the forefront of intellectual property valuation, acquisition and utilization, the Concord Bicycle Music investment underscores our partners’ belief in the lasting and appreciating global value of superior original entertainment content.