Cherry Red signs to Essential
Iconic label expands Essential’s distribution roster- Includes recent albums by The Fall, Van Der Graaf Generator, Suzi Quatro and Jah Wobble, plus more in 2012, and a huge reissue catalogue
1st December 2011, London:- Cherry Red, the iconic label group originally formed in 1978, will move its distribution to Essential Music & Marketing. The catalogue becomes part of the Essential roster on January 1 2012.Cherry Red regularly release 40-50 albums each month across its 40+ reissue labels, and 2012 looks set to be even busier still.The deal will see Essential taking on the substantial catalogue, with all labels across its vast reissue roster including Anagram, RPM, Esoteric, Soulmusic.com, Big Break Records, Cherry Pop and RevOla and many others as part of the deal, as well as continuing as an active label releasing brand new albums as it has done this year by The Fall, Van Der Graaf Generator, Suzi Quatro and Jah Wobble.Cherry Red was one of the original independent labels when it formed in 1978. The label’s first key success was licensing the Dead Kennedys’ debut Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables, and also 1982’s legendary Pillows & Prayers compilation, which retailed at 99p and showcased the label’s roster, introducing the likes of Everything But The Girl (as well as The Marine Girls and Ben Watt & Tracey Thorn’s solo projects), Felt, The Monochrome Set and Eyeless In Gaza to the world, and a revised edition won Mojo’s reissue of the year in 2008.Mike Chadwick, Founder and MD of Essential said, “To be working with Cherry Red is a real honour. It’s a legendary label and the sheer scope of the catalogue is awe inspiring. It’s a great start for 2012 which I think is going to be a very successful year for Essential.”Adam Velasco, Managing Director of Cherry Red added, “We have known and respected Mike and Martin [Goldschmidt), for many years, and we now look forward to a successful working relationship with them, with what should be an exciting and always busy 2012 schedule and beyond for Cherry Red.”
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About Cherry Red
Formed by Iain McNay (who remains company chairman) and Richard Jones, Cherry Red begun life as a label in 1978, and has been home to iconic independent artists such as Dead Kennedys, Felt and Everything But The Girl. Since the late 80s it has also become a substantial specialist reissue label.www.cherryred.co.ukAbout Essential Music & MarketingEssential Music & Marketing has been redefining the roles of distributor and record label since its inception in 2003 by Mike Chadwick, former MD Vital Distribution and Martin Goldschmidt, owner of Cooking Vinyl Records.Essential is part of the Cooking Vinyl group, which comprises of Cooking Vinyl Records, Essential Music & Marketing and Cooking Vinyl Music Publishing, which is run by Paul Kinder, a former director at Chrysalis.www.essential-music.com