Отделение Мамонов

Otdelenie Mamonov (Отделение МАМОНОВ in Russian) was a recording studio and label, founded by Petr Mamonov in 1991. He equipped it with a mixing console and other gear, gifted to him by Brian Eno during Zvuki Mu's UK tour. A big friend and fan Vitaly Savenkov (who published cult Moscow-Petushki novel by Venedikt Erofeev and co-established Renessanse publishing house) became a co-founder and principal investor. Inspired by Tamla Motown concept, Petr envisioned Otdelenie as an accessible place for striving artists to hang out, improvise, collaborate, and make music together. He invited Oleg Kovriga, who used to organize "квартирники" for Zvuki Mu (so called flat concerts, or apartment concerts – unofficial gigs held at private flats instead of designated venues) as a freelance administrator, and asked him to distribute newly released Transnadejnost LPs. Mamonov published ads at Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper, encouraging young musicians to send demo tapes. Under Oleg's tenancy, Rada & Ternovnik recorded their debut album Grafika at the studio, but it was only released a few years later by SoLyd Records. They also made plans to record Yuri Tsaler's solo material there, but never proceeded. Mamonov was a "lone wolf", more comfortable working in isolation, not collaboration. Most people had problems dealing with his rough character, so eventually instead of open space for aspiring youth, Otdelenie turned into a private studio/secret shelter for Mamonov. Kovriga left at the end of 1992 to work at TAU Product. A few more albums were recorded at the studio, including Mamonov and Aleksey, Zvuki Mu – Instrumental Variations, and Svyatoslav Zaderij solo album Jazzus Krest. Sometimes the studio is credited as simply Studio-Mu. Oleg Kovriga stayed friends with Mamonov and released more of his records later at Otdelenie VYHOD label, established in 1994. First four vinyl records (OM-01...04) has Отделение «Мамонов» as the only label and record company mentioned on the sleeve and labels. All compact discs and following catalog positions were co-released with other labels, initially Moroz Records, and in later years RMG Records and Otdelenie VYHOD.