NASHVILLE, TN--(Marketwire - July 22, 2010) - On September 1, 2010, Naxos begins distribution of the Nashville-based roots music company, Compass Records Group (www.compassrecordsgroup.com).
The Compass Records Group was formed in 1994 by musicians Alison Brown and Garry West. Compass Records (http://compassrecords.com), the group's initial imprint, is considered by many to be the best of the new breed of roots-music labels: eclectic, sophisticated, and artist-friendly. With more than 250 releases, Compass Records has been described by Billboard Magazine as "one of the greatest independent labels to emerge in the last decade." The label's roster includes Colin Hay, Solas, The Waifs, Catie Curtis, Victor Wooten, Alison Brown and the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band.
In 2006, the Compass Records Group acquired the rights to the Green Linnet (http://greenlinnet.com) catalog. Founded over 30 years ago, Green Linnet is one of Celtic music's best known brands with a 200 title catalog including releases from Niamh Parsons, Martin Hayes, Altan, Cherish The Ladies, Patrick Street and Tannahill Weavers.
In 2008, the Compass Records Group acquired the legacy Irish music label Mulligan Records (http://mulliganrecords.com), home of classic releases from The Bothy Band, Andy Irvine & Paul Brady and Matt Molloy. With that acquisition, the Compass Records Group became the largest catalog of Celtic music in the world.
Garry West, Compass' co-founder, commented, "We are tremendously excited by our new relationship with Naxos of America. It's a new day at record retail, and specialization -- whether through the artist/fan relationship or the distributor/retailer relationship -- is the way forward. Naxos' deep account base coupled with their knowledge, efficiency and infrastructure makes them well-suited to deal with the changing marketplace, and a perfect fit for the Compass Records Group."
Naxos CEO, Jim Selby, added, "Compass' intelligent and refined approach to recording, promoting, and exploring the heritage of roots music makes them leaders in their field. We believe that the partnership between our two vibrant companies will forge new ground in the world of independent music promotion and distribution."
Naxos of America is the largest digital distributor of independent classical music, supplying a catalog of over 25,000 albums to hundreds of digital download and mobile outlets worldwide and more than 20,000 SKUs to traditional brick and mortar retail.
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Contact:
Paula Mlyn
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