Fever Records

Fever Records was the Freestyle and Club music label founded by Sal Abbatiello in 1983 as a counterpart to his legendary NYC hot spot, The Fever. The actual name of the label was originally the Fever, as reflected in the catalog numbers as well a liberal interpetation of the logo which reads: "THE Fever...catch it!". Fever Records started initially as a Hip-Hop label with worldwide distribution by West End Records. (Ironically, one of Fever's first acts -- rapper Sweet G. -- WAS a West End artist two years prior). In the years that followed, The Fever became a sub-label of Sutra Records. In the early 1990s when Def Jam Recordings launched its RAL (Rush Associated Labels) division, it became one of the many labels it distributed after Sutra shut its doors. It was also RAL's first and only Club-oriented label. When Def Jam switched distribution from Sony Music Entertainment to PolyGram in 1994, it decided not to renew its distribution agreement. After being completely independendent for a while, the label became part of Warlock Records. Its catalog is presently controlled by Phase One Network, an asset management company.