August releases from Union Square Music are now up on our website.
This month sees two fantastically summery titles on the Casa Paradiso label: Karma Chill and Brazilian Chill; while Essential Guides continue the exotic theme with a superbly eclectic collection of music from New Orleans.
The Intro label boasts five great titles this batch: Tango, Love Songs, Buddy Holly, Jazz and Café De Paris.
The Metro label has some very special offerings with a beautiful collection from Aled Jones, a compilation of the First Ladies Of Country, and an exclusive version of the soundtrack to the London stage production of the New Rocky Horror Picture Show, starring Jason Donovan and Nicholas Parsons.
Metro Doubles is on a silver screen tip this month with collections of Epic Film Themes and Cult TV Themes, while Metro Triples is making USM’s first foray into the very heavy metal arena with This Is Thrash, plus This Is Rock and This Is Brazil titles.
Simply is keeping things diverse this month with an ultra-summery Salsa Dance Class album and, easing us into the autumn and winter, an early Christmas Crooners collection.
Teenage Kicks 30th Anniversary Release And Live Gig Spearhead Undertones Deal
Story by: Steve Bunyan
Union Square Music is delighted to announce the exclusive licence of the first four albums by the Undertones. The deal will see all four albums remastered and reissued on the Salvo / Ardeck imprint with bonus tracks and new booklets. The re-issue campaign will also feature a 2CD anthology including 27 previously unreleased demos, live , session and rehearsal tracks.
The campaign will kick off on August 31st with a 30th anniversary digital `vingle’ release of the original Teenage Kicks plus a previously unreleased live version and the original promotional video. That will be followed by a physical re-release of the original 4 track Good Vibrations Teenage Kicks single complete with original fold-out poster booklet on September 8th. The 2CD anthology will be released on September 22nd the same day as the band (including vocalist Paul McLoone) headline London’s Dingwalls. Check here for ticket information Further releases will follow throughout 2008 and 2009. To receive information on Undertones releases and gigs please click on the Undertones mailing list and send us your name and email address adding the word Undertones after your name.
June 18, 2008
Hot off the Olympic starting blocks, a new collection of Chinese music.
Story by: Wendy Day
With the August 2008 Olympics in Beijing moving ever closer, profile on the country and culture of China has never been higher. Worldwide media focus has given rise to an unprecedented collection of events, exposure and coverage to all things Chinese.
In anticipation of this spotlight on China, Union Square Music are proud to present The Essential Guide To China - a luxury 3CD set providing the perfect introduction to the music of this fascinating country, with over three hours outstanding performances celebrating the rich culture and heritage of China. Featuring distinctive traditional music played by some of the finest Chinese musicians of today, plus lush scores from Chinese movies, and a selection of atmospheric meditation music, evoking the natural beauty and tranquillity of China – this set has it all!
Music press has already selected The Essential Guide To China as an outstanding collection,
describing it as an eclectic three-CD set featuring:
‘…more than three hours of evocative and beautiful music.’ (Music Week)
Already attracting media attention including music press and Radio 3 airplay, this beautifully packaged 3CD set is the perfect introduction to the music of this captivating country, with an introduction and informative notes on each track.
At a star-studded event at East London's The Brewery, Dave Robinson, the co-founder of the legendary label Stiff Records (1976-85) received the coveted Mojo Medal, an award originated to honour industry figures whose vision and integrity have proven that the words "music" and "business" needn't always be mutually exclusive. Dave, who's anarchic, highly influential brain child was recently celebrated on the SALVO release THE BIG STIFF BOX SET joined an exclusive club of MOJO Medal recipients that also includes Jac Holzman, Geoff Travis, Jools Holland and Marshall Chess.
9th June 2008
Sign up for info on the forthcoming ZTT box set!
Story by: Chas Chandler
Set for release by Salvo this Autumn, 'Zang Tuum Tumb, the ZTT box set' will be the definitive overview of the highly influential label - the perfect way to celebrate 25 years of exciting ZTT music and video.
Across three CDs and one DVD, Salvo presents - for the first time ever - all the hits in one place, plus rare and unearthed gems from the archives. More than 40 artists and 20 Top 40 hits, and scores of productions from ZTT founder Trevor Horn. Artists featured include Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Grace Jones, Propaganda, Art of Noise, Seal, 808 State, Bjork, Shane MacGowan, Kirsty MacColl, Shades of Rhythm, Tom Jones, Adamski, and The Frames, with remixes from Brian Eno, The Orb and William Orbit.
A special DVD presents more than one hour of innovative ZTT music videos directed by the likes of Zbigniew Rybczynski and Godley & Creme. The box will be compiled by ZTT's in-house curator/archivist, music journalist Ian Peel who also contributes a 72-page book containing rare photos, sleeves, and special contributions from label founders Paul Morley and Trevor Horn and all the artists involved.
If you would like to receive further information about this project, please click here to sign up to our ZTT mailing list and we will email you as things develop.
May 1st 2008
The Cleo & John live experience rolls on
Story by:
Following successful dates at Norwich Jazz Party and Cheltenham Town Hall, Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth continue on the live trail (both together and apart) this week in Hampshire. They have a series of performances scheduled in the UK and beyond for the rest of the year. Catch them if you can at any of the following:
August 10 - Brecon Jazz Festival - Cleo, John & friends
August 15 - National Concert Hall, Dublin - Cleo, John & friends
August 24 - The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington - Cleo, John & friends
August 30 - Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival, Marina Del Rey, CA, USA - Cleo, John & Friends
September 2-16 - The Rrazz Roo, CA, USA - Cleo, John & Friends
November 19-22 - Ronnie Scott’s, London - Cleo, John & friends
December 14 - Waterfront Hall, Belfast, with the Ulster Orchestra - Cleo, John & friends
8.5.08.
Ethiopiques Stars Triumph at London's Barbican and Glastonbury Festival
Story by: Steve Bunyan
The stars of the best-selling Ethiopiques compilation were brought together for a sell-out and highly acclaimed concert at London's prestigious Barbican Centre on Friday June 27th and on Glastonbury's Jazz World stage the next day. More live dates are now being planned
Other Ethiopiques news:
Ethiopiques archivist Francis Falceto was awarded the prestigious World Music Shaker of The Year award at this year's Radio 3 awards For World Music. To see the introduction to Francis made on the night click here and then on `Watch The Worldshaker Film'
- The marketing campaign for the Ethiopiques album came second to Led Zeppelin at this year's Music Week Awards
Ethiopiques was nominated for compilation of the year at the prestigious Mojo awards
Lastly if you fancy visiting the lovely country of Ethiopia please do check Ethiopian Airlines
Nov 30th 2007
Give Yourself A Big Stiffie This Christmas
Story by: Steve Bunyan
At 98 tracks across four CDs the Big Stiff Box Set is the definitive overview of the groundbreaking label, from number one hits to rare curiosities.
Resplendent in a special DVD-sized box set the four CDs come with a full colour 68-page book featuring a label history, new interviews, biographies of every artist featured and as many photos, sleeves, flyers and badges as we could squeeze in!
The Big Stiff Box Set has met with universal acclaim from the public and the media – check here for details
13th December 2007
Cleo and John round off their TV and radio appearances in fine style on Later with Jools Holland
Story by:
On Friday 7th December, Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth stole the show on the BBC2 show Later With Jools Holland. They performed Billie Holiday's 'Fine and Mellow' with the host on piano and enjoyed a very amusing chat with Jools who kindly plugged our box set. Despite both being 80 John and Cleo were in superb form, the most entertaining performers on a show that also featured David Gray, Rilko Kiley, The Coral, Bassekou Kouyate and Jack Penate.
This was just the latest TV/radio appearance from the remarkable pair, who have charmed interviewers and contributed fine performances on the following programmes to date:
October 8th - ITV1 Paul O’Grady Show – Cleo guests
October 19th – ITV1 The Alan Titchmarsh Show – Cleo and John guest and perform ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter’
October 26th - ITV1 This Morning – Cleo and John guest
October 27th - BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends – Cleo and John guest and perform ‘Thieving Boy’
November 4th - BBC Radio 2 Parkinson Show – Cleo and John guest
November 9th & 10 th - BBC 4 9pm 'Legends: The Dankworths' – profile featuring previously unseen home movie footage of life on and off the road, exclusive interviews with Dame Cleo and Sir John plus plenty more besides. A fitting celebration of their life and work
November 12th - BBC Radio 2 Jools Holland Show – Cleo and John guest and perform ‘Fine And Mellow’
See their amazing performance on the Jools Holland show below.
12th September 2007
CLEO LAINE & JOHN DANKWORTH BOX SET COMING SOON ON SALVO
Story by:
There are no musicians in British jazz who are better known both at home and abroad than Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth. In addition, few other musicians anywhere come close to the extraordinary stylistic range they encompass. In the autumn of 2007, they both celebrate their 80th birthdays, and Salvo's 4CD box set, released on October 15th, celebrates the long and distinguished musical careers that they have both led up to this point.
Blessed with both a natural jazz instinct and an extraordinary range covering several octaves, Dame Cleo is one of the outstanding singers of our times. Her husky low notes and astonishing forays in the upper registers make her voice uniquely identifiable.
One of Britain’s major jazz (and soundtrack) composers, arrangers and musicians, John has always worked at the top end of the spectrum in both the music that he has written and with whom he chose to perform, a list that includes everyone from Duke Ellington to Craig David. His active musical life, which also includes many concerts and recordings with his wife, shows no signs of abating and he remains a major presence in British jazz. Indeed, their musical and marital partnership has helped to keep both of them at the very top of their game.
John made his first recordings (on clarinet) in the early 1940s and was a key player in the emergence of “the new jazz” (greatly influenced by the work of Charlie “Bird” Parker) in the UK after the war, forming his own ensemble the Johnny Dankworth Seven in late 1949.
Cleo Laine became the band’s main singer in 1951. With discs like The Very Thought of You, from March 1952, and Easy Living the following year, Cleo Laine and the Johnny Dankworth Seven made a real mark on the British music scene. They worked at venues that ranged from provincial jazz clubs in the back rooms of pubs to the Royal Festival Hall. But from early in the 1950s Cleo also began to make records in her own right, usually with beautifully crafted arrangements by John.
They were married in 1958, around the same time as John diversified into scoring movies and TV shows. Among his best know credits are the theme tune for the TV show Tomorrow’s World and the classic 60s movies Modesty Blaise and Darling.
For her part, after major successes in the UK – including the 1961 top ten hit You’ll Answer To Me and her remarkable Shakespeare and All that Jazz album with John (1964) - Cleo became an international star in the 1970s, enjoying coast to coast success in North America. She has worked with many well known musicians in various fields, including (among those included here) Ray Charles, Dudley Moore and John Williams.
The music is presented as follows: Disc 1 - Early Days (1944-56), Disc 2 – John, Big Band and The Movies (1956-74), Disc 3 – Focus On Cleo (1955-91), Disc 4 – A Family Affair (including recordings made with their son Alec and daughter Jacqui, 1982-2005).
Procol Harum and The Move set for the Salvo Reissue Treatment
Story by: Steve Bunyan
Following the success of the award-winning Slade campaign the team behind Union Square Music's specialist reissue label Salvo have been working on original albums, compilations and box sets from two more legendary UK groups - The Move and Procol Harum. As a precursor to each group's campaign we are releasing a limited edition 7inch and Cd single - the Move's Flowers In the Rain (the first single ever played on radio 1) and Procol Harums's A Whiter Shade Of Pale (the most played record ever on UK radio). For full details of all Procol and Move releases please check out our Salvo site
20.7.07.
If It Ain't Stiff It Ain't Worth A F**K
Story by: By Steve Bunyan in Shepherds Bush
USM are very proud to announce the release of a very special box set celebrating the life and times of the world's most flexible record label Stiff Records. From number ones to rare curiosities, from the label's first single Nick Lowe's Heart Of The City to the latest tracks from The Enemy, Eskimo Disco and The Tranzmitors taking in The Pogues, Ian Dury, Elvis Costello, Madness, Kirsty MacColl and The Damned along the way. Heavily marketed with press ads, interviews with Stiff founder Dave Robinson and free Stiff badges and t shirts this is a must have purchase for any fan of one of the most imaginative, and loved record labels of all time. Click on Big Stiff Box Set for further details
21st June 2007
Edith Piaf biopic out now
Story by: Holly Barringer
'La Vie En Rose', the movie biopic of the life of French chanteuse Edith Piaf is now playing.
Marion Cotillard gives an Oscar-worthy performance as the lady herself, prompting a well-deserved resurgence of interest in the singer.
The film charts Edith’s fascinating rise to fame, from her upbringing in abject poverty in the cutthroat Belleville district of Paris, to her success as the darling of New York’s glamorous concert halls. Her unique voice and unforgettable renditions of songs like ‘La Vie En Rose’ and ‘Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien’ made her a star on both sides of the Atlantic and her irrepressible spirit, as well as her passionate romances and friendships with the glitterati of the era – Jean Cocteau, Charles Aznavour, Marlene Dietrich and Yves Montand – make captivating subject matter.
Acquaint yourself with the music of France's first lady of song with two superb titles from USM by clicking here: Edith Piaf
19th June 2007
USM Scoops Mojo Award for 'Slade In Flame'
Story by: Chas Chandler
At a swank central London venue last night, in a room liberally peppered with rock legends, Union Square Pictures' recent collector's edition of 'Slade In Flame' was awarded the MOJO Vision Award for having: "taken MOJO music values into the celluloid or small screen arena with utter artistic success".
Before a vociferous and appreciative throng, Noddy Holder stepped up to accept the award, the second that USM's Slade reissue campaign has received this year.
7th June 2007
June releases now on website
Story by: Holly Barringer
June releases from Union Square are now up on the website.
With Summer finally here, what better way to wile away those sultry days and nights than with a bit of Latin action? Metro Double's 'Salsa Party' and Metro's 'Latin Hot' and 'Latin Cool' feature original recordings from the legendary Fania label and are guaranteed to provide the perfect soundtrack to hot summer parties (and the cooler mornings after).
The Latin theme continues with 'Simply Cuba' and 'Essential Guide To Latin', both boasting fantastic recordings from the original Buena Vista Social Club artists among others.
If you're still up for a party, check out 'Simply Funk', 'Electro Funk Sessions' plus 'Xclusive Hip Hop' and Xclusive Hard House'.
For those who like their rock classic, see the new best ofs from The Nice and Uriah Heep, plus the mind-expanding 'This Is Psychedelia' 3CD set, not to mention four more great Slade re-issues on our Salvo label.
To finish off, check out Simply Handel and Simply Brahms - 4CD collections of original recordings from the respected Denon label.
Union Square agrees deal with V2 to release Fania product
Story by: Andy Lewis in Shepherds Bush
Union Square Music are very proud to announce that a deal with V2 Music has been agreed which will allow USM to release various compilation CDs derived from the world famous Latin music catalogue, Fania.
With original recordings from the likes of Ray Baretto, Celia Cruz, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Hector Lavoe, Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri and Mongo Santamaria to name but a few, the first albums to bear fruit from the deal will be a pair of fine 2CD sets on the Metro Doubles label (‘Salsa Party’ – METRDCD607 and ‘Salsa Dance Hits’ – METRDCD617) and a brace of single CDs released on Metro (‘Latin Hot – METRCD220 and ‘Latin Cool’ – METRCD221).
For USM's hottest Latin titles click here: Latin Hot!
29th May 2007
Manteca aims for hit with Ethiopiques best of
Story by: Steve Bunyan
Acclaimed as some of the most extraordinary and beautiful music ever made, the 21 volume Ethiopiques series has long cried out for an introductory sampler. Union Square Music's Manteca imprint will be releasing a 2CD best of the Ethiopiques in the autumn that is already creating a buzz in the world music community and is set to become the world music hit of the year. Series compiler Francis Falceto will be doing a number of press and radio interviews around the release and Union Square will be supporting the album with press ads and the most comprehensive viral marketing campaign ever undertaken for a world music album.
29th May 05
Procol Harum and The Move next for reissue treatment
Story by: Steve Bunyan
Following the success of the Slade Remastered releases on USM's new Salvo imprint, the company has announced exclusive deals to re-release the first three Move albums and 14 Procol Harum and Gary Brooker albums over the next 18 months. In addition to remastered original albums with bonus tracks, new sleevenotes and rare photos there will be a number of best ofs, anthology box sets and even two singles - Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade Of Pale and The Move's Flowers In The Rain. Sign up now at www.salvo-music.co.uk to receive exclusive upfront information on these and all future Salvo releases.
17 April 2007
Summer Listening!
Story by: Holly Barringer
Summer's come early this year, and what better way to celebrate the good weather than with some of the finest World Music we have to offer? USM's Cafe Series is a range of 22 titles featuring an array of artists and musical styles from around the world. To see the whole range, click here: Cafe Series
25th May 2007
Awards for World Music '07
Story by: Iain Scott in Dunoon
Indian slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya, French / Argentinain nu tango exponents the Gotan Project, Lebanese singer Ghada Shbeir, Algerian pianist Maurice El Medioni and Ethiopian legend Mahmoud Ahmed provided the live performances at the 2007 BBC Radio 3 Awards For World Music at London's Barbican On Sunday May 27th. To relive the magic of the night click here
Union Square are, once again, in the enviable position of releasing a
double album featuring all nominees and winners of these awards - the perfect annual snapshot of what's going on in the world of 'world music' To see full details click here: Awards For World Music 2007
16th March 2007
USM wins prestigious Music Week marketing award!
Story by: Holly Barringer
Seeing off strong competition from two major labels, Union Square Music picked up the award for Catalogue Marketing Campaign of the year for their 'Slade Remastered' campaign at the Music Week Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Thursday 15 March.
Other nominees in the category included Universal for 'Do You Remember The First Time' Pulp reissues and Sony BMG for The Clash, Nina Simone and Radio One's Live Lounge campaigns. USM won over the panel of judges "with deft use of limited funds and a hands-on approach to the fan base" said Music Week. "Amazing research and respect for the fan" and "a real labour of love" were just some of the enthusiastic comments made by the panel.
Label Manager Chas Chandler (pictured centre), collected the award presented by 'Friday Night Project' hosts Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins, the evening's mischievous comperes.
The Slade Remastered campaign continues. Check the Slade microsite here for new releases and campaign updates: Slade
Look out for upcoming classic re-issues from Procol Harum and The Move on our Salvo label.
21st February 2007
Salvo's Slade campaign nominated for Music Week award
Story by:
Union Square Music learned yesterday that their Slade Remastered campaign through their new label Salvo has earned them a nomination for Catalogue Marketing Campaign Of The Year at the prestigious Music Week Awards. The results will be announced on March 15th at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
To go to our Slade microsite, click here: Slade site
5th February 2007
February USM releases
Story by: Holly Barringer
February releases from Union Square are now up on the website. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, USM brings you collections to please the ladies - Simply Woman, Love Songs Of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the latest album by Richard Clayderman, 'From This Moment On'. For the woman who likes to pamper herself, the New Calm range boasts six new titles - Anti-Stress, Meditation, Calm, Relax, Bathtime and Sunday Morning.
Also this month are three Slade re-releases on Salvo - our special collectors' label. This batch sees 'Slade In Flame', 'Nobody's Fools' and 'B-Sides', all lovingly re-mastered with comprehensive liner notes.
Metro Doubles presents some truly diverse offerings, from Billy Connolly 'Live In Concert' to 'The Essential Grandmaster Flash' via 'Essential Motörhead' and Celine Dion's 'French Collection' - a selection of her early recordings.
Essential Guides offers two fantastic compilations - Jazz and Bollywood, while Manteca presents collections from two world music legends, Tango maestro Astor Piazzolla and Arab singer Oum Kalsoum.
The Sessions label is in a clubbing mood this month with two collections guaranteed to have you shaking your booty - get down with 'Hard House Sessions' and 'Drum & Bass Sessions'. While you're at it, check out 'Funky House' on our new Xclusive label, featuring three whole hours of funky house anthems.
Metro Triples features two superb collections - 'Essential Ska' and 'Classical Music At The Movies' - while the Soho label is all grown up with 'They Sold A Million' and 'Silver Strings'.
For more information about all of our new releases, click here: Feb Releases
January 26th 2007
USM launch new licensing site
Story by: By Steve Bunyan in Shepherds Bush
Union Square Music have launched a new site to showcase the 10,000 plus tracks that we now represent. Included are hits from major artists such as from artists such as Kirsty MacColl, Bob James, First Choice, Celine Dion, Jona Lewie and M as well as well as full details on catalogues such as Stiff, Philly Grove, Savoy Jazz, Denon, Candid, Jay productions and many more.
We are able to license individual songs (including international and domestic hits from the past four decades) and in many cases, single and multi artist compilations. These original recordings are available to license for retail, mail order and direct response, premium and synchronisation usage. Each licensing request has to be specifically cleared in the context of marketing, financial and commercial consideration, including, in some cases, third party approval. Therefore, the inclusion of recordings on the site is not necessarily an indication of their availability.
This website is specifically designed to be a business to business service. We are therefore unable to answer any enquiries relating to commercial availability of the repertoire contained within or offer contacts to artists and record labels.
Please click on www.usmlicensing.co.uk to access the new site
9th January 2007
More new Slade re-issues!
Story by: Chas Chandler, Shepherds Bush
Continuing our Slade reissue programme, the first Salvo releases of 2007 are two mid-70s gems and the long-awaited B-Sides collection.
The soundtrack to perhaps the greatest rock 'n' roll movie ever made, Slade In Flame (1974) is regarded by many as the group's finest long player, containing superb compositions such as How Does It Feel and Far Far Away. Nobody's Fools, which followed in early 1976, was recorded during their sojourn in the USA and is arguably the most varied and evolved album of their career.
Three of the four bonus tracks on Nobody's Fools have never previously been available on CD, something which can be said for fully behalf of the tracks on B-Sides, which contains 40 fabulous flipsides and forms an invaluable, often surprising insight into a great British band.
To see these new titles click here: New Slade Re-issues
To go to our Slade microsite click here: Slade
7th September 2006
Two new USM websites launched
Story by: Chas Chandler
Salvo is Union Square Music's new specialist label and is focused on bringing high quality catalogue reissues to the market: classic albums (remastered of course!), unique compilations and definitive artist and label box sets, which will appeal to the knowledgeable music fan and the serious collector. First up are the first four titles in our Slade reissue program and The Definitive Story Of CBGB: Home Of US Punk.
Follow this link to visit our new Salvo website and then why not have a look around our dedicated Slade microsite.
6th September 2006
Stiff documentary to air on BBC4
Story by: Holly Barringer
Having released the very first of the British punk albums (The Damned's debut among them) Stiff Records led the way for British independent labels for ten years from 1976. This year sees its 30th Anniversary, with a special BBC4 documentary about the history of the label. Called 'If It Ain't Stiff', the programme will be shown in two parts on the 15th and 16th of September, as part of a weekend-long celebration of Stiff artists and music.
The full BBC4 Stiff schedule for Friday 15th September 2006 is as follows:
21:00 'My Life' by Ian Dury - The late pop poet and leader of the Blockheads reflects on his career.
22:00 'If It Ain’t Stiff' - Part one of the documentary in which elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Captain Sensible look back at their time with Stiff Records.
22:45 'Stiff & Co at the BBC' - Performances on the Old Grey Whistle Test, In Concert and TOTP from the likes of Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Madness, The Pogues, Kirsty MacColl, Jona Lewie and others.
23:15 'So you wanna be a rock ‘n’ roll star?' - On tour with the Kursaal Flyers.
More programmes are planned for the Saturday night, 16th September 2006.
Click here for information about Stiff material available on USM: Stiff on USM
USM's Lata Mangeshkar album awarded 'Top Of The World' in Songlines
Story by: Iain Scott in Argyll, Scotland
Lata Mangeshkar is India’s most popular singer. Among the many myths, this is a fact. Over 6 decades, her voice and style have defined Indian popular music and spread around the world; in shops and restaurants, on streets or in taxis, you will have heard her but might not have known it was her.
With the release of 'Lata Mangeshkar - The Legend, Union Square Music celebrate her solo career. A well-documented and critically-acclaimed 2CD set, the latest accolade has been to be awarded 'Top Of The World' status by Songlines magazine and you can hear a track from Union Square's album, together with some in-depth articles (of particular note is a report on the thriving Balkan brass band scene) by downloading Songline's brand new Podcast.
August releases from Union Square are now up on the website. This batch sees the launch of two exciting new labels, Xclusive and Salvo.
Xclusive is Union Square Music’s mid-priced 3CD black and dance music label. Focussing on the big genres of urban music in all its forms from Hip Hop and R&B to Drum & Bass and Techno and everywhere in between, each Xclusive album features the chart hits, the big club tracks and a healthy selection of underground gems.
Salvo is Union Square Music's new specialist label, focussing on classic album reissues (remastered of course!), unique compilations and definitive artist and label box sets, which will appeal to the knowledgeable music fan and the serious collector alike. Each title will be lovingly packaged and feature rare or unreleased tracks, comprehensive sleevenotes, rare photos and superb sound quality, painstakingly researched and annotated by expert compilers. First up are the first four titles in our Slade re-issue program. Click here for details: Slade re-issues
Also released this month are new titles from the Metro Triples label - Acoustic Woman and Guitar Legends - as well as a fantastic Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan collection on Manteca Doubles to accompany its latest 'Voices Of Cuba' compilation.
Essential Guides explores 'American Roots', while Simply takes us to Brazil and the Sessions label pumps it up with Bassbin Sessions and Dancehall 2.
Metro boasts some classic single artist collections by Jerry Lee Lewis, Marlene Dietrich and the Spencer David Group, while Soho goes nostalgic with Brass Bands and Strictly Ballroom.
Metro Doubles features some of this month's grooviest releases: Soul Cellar 2 makes a return to the record collection of legendary soul DJ Peter Young, and Nu Jazz Cool gets all sophisticated with tunes by Nathan Haines, Nicola Conte and Tata Vasquez. Reggae stalwarts Gregory Isaacs and Augusto Pablo get their dues with a 2CD set each, as does the capital of Spain, with our 'Night In Madrid'.
To see all the new releases for August, click here: New Releases
23rd August 2006
Legendary rock venue CBGB celebrated on forthcoming Salvo release!
Story by: Chas Chandler
USM will release a 2CD collection of classic tracks from the heyday of legendary New York rock venue CBGB, on September 18th.
CBGB was the home of one of the greatest explosions of musical creativity in rock history. Hilly Kristal opened his club in late 1973 in a run-down Bowery bar and oversaw the rise of Punk, as bands such as the Ramones, Blondie, the Patti Smith Group and B52s rewrote the book. This double CD will trace the history of the movement from early forefathers – Velvet Underground, New York Dolls, Iggy Pop – to the incendiary nights when the likes of The Cramps and the Dead Boys tore the roof the joint.
The acts that played CBGB ranged right across the board, from no-nonsense rock-machines such as the Dictators to the ultra-leftfield No Wave guerrillas, from the art-rock of Pere Ubu to the joyous pastiche-pop of the Mumps. Here we will feature some of the most exciting, original and/or influential.
The club may have been situated beneath a flophouse in a dodgy area of town, and clientele regularly had to climb over booze-soaked tramps, but as Hilly says: “CBGB, to many, became a place where they could express their frustrations, desires, anxieties and maybe even dreams.”
This collection is part document of a vital period in rock history and part tribute to Hilly, his relentless commitment to self expression, and CBGB, which is to close on October 31st after losing its battle with landlord Bowery Residents' Committee. As the biggest star to emerge from the scene at CBGB, Debbie Harry, put it: “Hilly is the punk patron of music and art. Without him, where would we be now?”
Check back for more details of this and other releases on our new specialist collector label, Salvo, or visit the Salvo site here: Salvo Website
Union Square Music is delighted to announce that it has acquired an exclusive license to reissue the entire Slade back catalogue.
Slade’s illustrious chart haul between 1971 and 1991 included over 25 Top 40 hits with no less than 6 Number One singles, and 3 Number One Albums.
Frequently described as “the missing link between the Beatles and Oasis”, they are arguably the most successful UK rock band yet to receive a fully comprehensive reissue programme.
Union Square will remedy this over the next year via their new label imprint, Salvo Records, and plan to re-issue the original, re-mastered albums together with bonus tracks, many of which have never been released on CD; there will also be a fully annotated Anthology Box Set in September 2006.
The programme commences August 21st 2006 with the release of ‘Beginnings’, ‘Play It Loud’, ‘Slade Alive’ (featuring Slade Alive, Slade Alive II, Slade On Stage and the Reading ’80 EPs), ‘Slayed’, and ‘ Old New Borrowed And Blue’, and will continue through to 2007.
With the combined talents and flamboyance of Noddy Holder, Jimmy Lea, Dave Hill and Don Powell, Slade set literacy standards back years with anthems like Coz I Luv You, Cum On Feel The Noize and Mama Weer All Crazee Now; songs often inspired by their high octane live shows.
But while they consistently rocked hard on classic albums such as Slade Alive! Slayed? Old New Borrowed And Blue and The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, they also had a significant talent for balladry, evidenced by such brilliant numbers as How Does It Feel and My Oh My. They made an indelible mark on screen, too - Their grittily realistic 1975 movie, Slade In Flame, remains perhaps the most revered rock drama of them all.
In the 1980s, following the triumphant Reading Festival appearance that revitalized their fortunes in the UK, Slade deservedly enjoyed substantial success in the USA and their lasting effect on rock music is unquestioned. Artists of the calibre of The Ramones, Ritchie Blackmore, Kiss, The Sex Pistols, Paul Weller, Oasis and the late Kurt Cobain as well some unlikely acolytes such as James Blunt (who has been performing ‘Coz I luv You’ on his recent US tour!), have all testified to their influence. Fifteen years after they split their work is ripe for reappraisal.
As Noddy himself observes: "The re-issue of the entire Slade catalogue will satisfy the lust of any true rock fan and tickle the fancy of anyone who has yet to be initiated. Keep On Rockin'."
Union Square Music are setting up a unique microsite for the Slade releases from the end of July. Featuring full details of all the Slade releases including press interview dates, rare photos, an exclusive interview with Noddy and much more here. Join our mailing to receive news when the site is up and running.
18th November 2005
MIRIAM MAKEBA'S FAREWELL TOUR
Story by: Iain Scott in Argyll, Scotland
Recently sighted in Cuba, Miriam Makeba left South Africa in September 2005 for her 'Farewell Tour'. Performances are planned throughout the world to "say farewell to all the countries that I have been to ... if I can," and the tour could continue until at least May 2006. Exact details are a little sketchy, but this is hardly surprising. Miriam will be 74 next year and, in a career that has lasted more than 50 years, has never followed a direct route or bowed to convention.
Rather, her uniquely individual approach has resulted in a completely deserved iconic status: 'Mama Africa', 'Mother Africa', the 'Empress Of African Song' are just some of the epithets she has accumulated and, over the years, she has performed for world leaders including Hailé Selassie, Fidel Castro, John F. Kennedy and Pope John Paul II. She twice addressed the United Nations General Assembly on the evils of apartheid.
All this after being exiled from her South African homeland in 1960 and despite her marriage to black-activist, Stokely Carmichael, with whom she then left America to live in Guinea for 10 years. Neither Carmichael nor Guinea were exactly on any ‘CIA approved' list of people or countries.
"My life has been like a yo-yo. One minute I'm dining with presidents and emperors; the next I'm hitchhiking. I've accepted it. I say, 'Hey, maybe that's the way it was written, and it has to be.' And that maybe there's a reason why I'm still here."
21st October 2005
Johnny Cash biopic released February 2006
Story by: Holly Barringer in Shepherd's Bush
3rd February 2006 sees the release of 'Walk The Line', the film biography of country music's biggest ever star, Johnny Cash.The movie, from 20th Century Fox, stars two of Hollywood’s most accomplished young actors: Joaquin Phoenix as Cash and Reese Witherspoon as his wife, June Carter. Country singer Shelby Lynne also appears as Cash’s mother, Carrie. Phoenix and Witherspoon were chosen to play the roles by Johnny and June themselves before Cash’s death in 2003.
At the height of his career Cash was the hottest act in the world. In Autumn 1969 he was selling around 250,000 copies per month of his Folsom Prison and San Quentin albums, outselling even The Beatles.
Today, Johnny Cash still accounts for a whopping 10.3% of all Country music sales in the UK, outsold only by Shania Twain and LeAnn Rimes.
Union Square Music boasts three superb collections by the Man In Black which, like the film, explore the early years of his career and the music upon which his legend was founded.
The film will be released across Europe in January and February 2006.
20th October 2005
Ballroom's back!
Story by: Holly Barringer in Shepherds Bush
The success of the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing' has inevitably fuelled a colossal surge of interest in ballroom dancing and a corresponding demand for specifically formulated ballroom music. In a bid to meet that demand, USM presents two ballroom dancing albums strictly formulated to accompany and instruct budding dancers. Featuring romantic waltzes, lively foxtrots, tangos and quick-steps, sensuous sambas, rhythmic rumbas, jaunty jives, dramatic paso doble and cheeky cha cha chas, both albums contain plenty of instrumental tracks which have been chosen with dancers in mind for both their authentic arrangements and ideal tempos. To take your first step to dancefloor mastery, click on Ballroom Dancing
June 2005
USM launches Essential Guides series
Story by: Steve Bunyan In Shepherds Bush
USM is proud to announce the June launch of its brand new Essential Guide series - geat value 3CD collections of world and roots music, hand-picked by experts to satisfy aficionados and novices alike. Each CD is individually themed and features timeless tracks from established legends as well as future classics from talented newcomers. First two titles in the series are Brazil and Africa - click on Essential Guides for more details
March 10th 2005
Barbican and Union Square Music join forces for the It Came From Memphis Album and Festival
Story by: By Steve Bunyan in Shepherds Bush
London's Barbican Arts Centre and Union Square Music have joined forces to produce a festival and tie-in compilation album of music from Memphis. Compiled by Robert Gordon, the author of the book `It Came From Memphis', the double album will feature many of the artists playing at the Barbican festival in April including Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson, Booker T and the MGs, William Bell, North Mississippi Allstars and many more. For more details of the festival please click on Barbican website , for details of the tie-in album please click on It Came From Memphis CD
17th December 2004
Union Square Music Moves Offices To Shepherds Bush
Story by: By Steve Bunyan in Uxbridge (for the last time)
Union Square Music Moves Offices To Shepherds Bush
By Steve Bunyan in Uxbridge (for the last time)
After 5 long years in Uxbridge Union Square Music will be moving to new offices in Shepherds Bush, West London from Monday December 20th 2004. Our new contact details will be
Unit 1.1
Shepherds Studios
Rockley Road
London W14 0DA
Tel +44 (0) 20 7471 7940
Fax +44 (0) 20 7471 7941
6th December 2004
Union Square Music included in “The Sunday Times Fast Track 100” list of Britain’s fastest growing private companies.
Story by:
On Sunday 5th December, The Sunday Times published "The Sunday Times Fast Track 100" list of Britain's fastest growing private companies.
The final 100 companies are selected from more than 1M businesses in the UK after extensive research. The table lists the companies with the fastest-growing sales over the past three years between 2000 and 2003.
Union Square Music appeared at number 46 in the table!
The Sunday Times writes:
“Peter Stack is a veteran of the compilation-albums business, having previously set up and run Music Collection International. When that company was acquired by Kingfisher in 1998, Stack founded Union Square Music, which makes "best of" CDs and DVDs for artists such as Nina Simone, and compilations such as Brazil — The Essential Album. Union Square is also a licensing company and has back-catalogue rights to labels such as Acid Jazz and Stiff Records. Sales at the Uxbridge company have grown 92% a year from an annualised £664,000 in 2000 to £4.7m in 2003.”
Union Square Music moves to new headquarters in Shepherd’s Bush, West London on 20th
December ’04.
Union Square Music and Sanctuary Records Group strike budget deal
Story by: Steve Bunyan
Sanctuary Records Group Ltd. and Union Square Music have entered into a new licensing deal which will see Union Square have access to the extensive Sanctuary back catalogue for budget Union Square releases across Europe.
Sanctuary is one of the largest independent owners of recorded music copyrights worldwide. Under the deal, Union Square will be initially exploiting selected Sanctuary repertoire on its Metro single CD label, and its Metro Doubles 2CD range. The first titles under the deal will be launched in early 2005 and will feature both single artist titles and compilations.
Peter Stack MD Union Square Music:
This is a very exciting deal for USM. The Sanctuary Records catalogue has grown into one of the largest and strongest independent catalogues worldwide; and The Sanctuary Group has become the most exciting company in the music industry. At USM, we have first class skills in compiling, in packaging and in maximising sales from the low price sector. This combination of assets will see some very commercial and interesting releases over the next few years.
Roger Semon COO Sanctuary Records Group:
I have a great deal of admiration for what Peter Stack and Union Square have established in a relatively short time. Its products are very distinctive and originated by very creative individuals. It’s my belief that their expertise in the budget arena will complement Sanctuary’s future growth objectives and provide maximum return for both parties.
The Sanctuary catalogue comprises over 150,000 tracks and includes the Pye, Trojan and Creole catalogues; its hits span every decade of recorded music.
For further information, please contact:
Peter Stack, Union Square Music.
T: 01895 458515
E: ps@unionsquaremusic.co.uk
Roger Semon, Sanctuary Records Group.
T: 020 7300 1357
E: roger.semon@sanctuarygroup.com
July 2004
BPI Applauds Union Square Growth
Story by: Steve Bunyan in Uxbridge
The UK trade organisation BPI has applauded the steady growth of Union Square Music. Writing in their 2004 Statistical Handbook the authors note that Union Square Music's `rise has been particularly impressive, which has increased from an initial share of 0.1% of the compilation album market to 1% in 2003. Almost 100 of Union Square's titles featured in the top 10,000 albums of the year'
The handbook also marks the company's rise to 13th in the table of the top 40 UK record companies by total units sold and 10th in the compilations market.
February 2006
Union Square to represent Egrem and Budde labels
Story by: Pete Gardiner
When the World Circuit label released the Buena Vista Social Club CD in 1997, its septuagenarian participants finally received long overdue recognition. However Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Ruben Gonzalez and Compay Segundo had all been recording in relative obscurity for the Cuban state-owned record label, Egrem, for many years.
Union Square are proud to announce an exclusive agreement to represent 250 tracks from egrem for third party licensing, including compilations, advertisements, film and TV. Apart from the above we also have key songs by Adalberto Alvarez, Beny More, Celina Gonzalez, Orquesta America and Orquesta Aaragon. Please contact Pete Gardiner for a full listing.
Before Celine Dion signed to Sony Records in the early 90s, she recorded a number of immensely successful French language albums. Union Square have now assumed exclusive representation of two of these albums in the UK and Eire. Once again, Pete Gardiner can provide full details.
aug 2003
Africa - An Essential Listen
Story by: Iain Scott in Uxbridge
“Wars and rumours of wars” is a phrase that’s been around for at least two millennia, but sometimes seems never as true as for the Africa of today. Union Square Music are pleased to show another, more vital, side of this great continent: its music.
There is hardly a popular music anywhere in the world that does not, in some way, owe a debt to Africa. From the blues to jazz, reggae to ragga, dance to trance: all can trace their roots back to the Motherland. And it goes without saying that music from Africa is never one thing; it is many things to many people according to many cultures, histories and situations. But always present is its role as a people’s music. Whether old or new and even in the most dire of political and economic circumstances, the music continues to inspire.
And on the two CDs of Africa The Essential Album you can find the reason why: two-and-a-half hours of classic recordings (with a few surprises!) from 1956 to 2003 to prove that other, two millennia-old quote: “There’s always something new from Africa”.
