Ichiban Records

An independent label founded in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) in 1985 by John Abbey and Nina Easton; filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 10, 1999. Ichiban (一番) means "number one" or "best" in Japanese. The company's original aim was to specialize in all black American music from blues to gospel, urban contemporary to jazz, and rhythm & blues to rap. Its distribution sector attracted some of the record industry's finest producers, talent, and business minds. The company has now ceased operations.