Disque I.V.E

"Disque I.V.E." (once printed with an -s, "Disques I.V.E.") was a small French label from the early 1930’s, one of the many labels that flourished in France with the appearance and development of electric recording. It seems that "The IVE discs" (with needle) had the same owner as "The Inovat Discs" (with sapphire). They belonged to Bilon brothers, who ran a store of musical instruments and publishing venue at 39 avenue des Gobelins, in Paris, France. Also run by the Bilon brothers was a small recording studio in the back of their music and publishing shop. They produced small Shellac discs (18.4 cm, 1 cm more than a standard 45-rpm 7"). This small format of disc, as well as the technical limits of the time, imposed a duration contraction to the pieces; at most length 2 minutes 30 per side. Those Bilon brothers recorded artists from Parisian theaters and concert halls that were not known enough to sign contracts with major labels. The musical accompaniment was limited because of the small size of their studio, as well as the limited means of the company, which probably did not allow them to employ the best musicians of their time.