Gravações Elétricas S.A.

The largest and longest-running Brazilian record company, formed in the early 1940s from Byington & Co., initially as Produtos Elétricos Brasileiros S.A., later Gravações Elétricas Ltda. finally assuming the Gravações Elétricas S.A. identity in the mid-1950s. Often credited as Gravações Elétricas S.A (Discos Continental) for manufacturing and distribution, operated several own labels such as Continental, Chantecler, Phonodisc, Musicolor and represented a number of foreign labels in Brazil like WEA's Elektra, Atlantic, ATCO Records, Reprise Records, Warner Bros. Records; Ariola, Maritim, Pye Records, Ricordi Records, Motown Records, Sunnyview Records, ABC Records among others. Acquired RC Gravações Chantecler and it's labels in 1970. Acquired Tapecar Gravações S.A. in 1980 and transferred most of the pressing activities to the Rio de Janeiro's factory Facing economic and administrative difficulties in the mid-late 1980's, the company joined the group Wheaton, changing its name to Continental - Wheaton Do Brasil S/A. - Indústria E Comércio and eventually ended activities, being taken over by Warner Music Brasil Ltda. in 1993, becoming the division Warner Music Brasil Ltda. – Divisão Continental CGC 61.186.300/1 (assigned 1966, 07-06) CGC 61.186.300/001 (early 1970s) CGC 61.186.300/0001-00 (1976) CGC 61.186.300/0002-28 (1980s) CGC 61.186.300/0003-63 (1980s) In 1974, the company introduced a 9-digit scheme to register all releases, assigning individual codes to each of it's labels: 0-24, 0-30 to 0-34 and 0-40 to 0-44 for Phonodisc + sub-labels 0-45 for Violeiro 0-46 and 1-46 for Popular (12) 1-01, 1-07, 1-15, 1-19, 1-20, 1-35, 1-54, 1-73, 1-74, 2-08, 3-35, 3-37, 3-41 for Continental (3) + sub-labels 1-03 for Caboclo Continental 1-04, 4-59, 4-60, 4-62, 4-63 for Musicolor (3) 1-11, 2-11 for Sertanejo 1-14 for Disquinho and Discão 1-19, 2-19 for Relevo 1-25 for Replay (4) 1-28 for Formula 1-32 for Concorde 1-71, 1-73, 1-74, 1-77, 2-01, 2-04, 2-08, 2-11 for Chantecler + sub-labels 2-03 for Rosicler 2-07, 2-10 for Alvorada (2) Also, several codes were created for releases manufactured by the company to identify works for third-party labels, including a long-standing partnership with WEA labels and regular manufacturing for CBS, as well as "independent" records without labels.