Atlanta Records (4)

Formed by Ropeadope Records and Soulandjazz.com Records, which initially will focus on Soul, Jazz, and R & B recordings from the Atlanta scene. Ropeadope and SoulandJazz.com have formed a new label - Atlanta Records - that will feature artists from the city and beyond. Built on community relationships and a growing network of artists and tastemakers, Atlanta Records will initially focus on Soul, Jazz, and R & B recordings from the Atlanta scene. The first Atlanta Records release will be DionneDionne from The Dionne Farris Charlie Hunter Duo. In addition to artist directed projects, the label will be closely aligned with 800 East Studios. 800 East is home to a core group of musicians: Marty Kearns, Khari Cabral Simmons, Davis Causey, and Rafael Pereira are MKG, whose debut release is due out on Ropeadope this fall. Together with Darren Benjamin aka Daz-I-Kue, these seasoned live and session musicians will be the core of the Atlanta Records sound. The lead album from vocalist Cleveland Jones is set for recording in October 2014. In the words of label co-founder Brian Hurst ‘I first visited the ATL back in 1999. A warm Southern welcome awaited. Hot days and even hotter music made me realise that I’d discovered my spiritual US home. The city often takes centre stage with the current crop of hip-hop artists - amongst it though and equally important, a burgeoning soul and jazz scene that decade upon decade continues to offer the world a unique take on the music we hold dear. The name Atlanta Records pays both homage and dutifully respects the heritage of these genres and as we move further forward into this century, offers an additional platform born out of passion, understanding and a desire to maintain and grow.’ ‘Once again we forge ahead with a new model - putting the artists in the lead to create real music and decide their own destiny, with the label tending to the hub of networked connections between artists and fans. Atlanta is a a true collaborative community, and that is the fertile ground from which ‘sounds’ and movements are grown.’ (Louis Marks, Ropeadope) Ropeadope is an independent record label known for unique recordings that cross genres. Founded in 1999, the label has released over 160 recordings, with historically progressive albums from an impressive roster of artists including King Britt, John Medeski, ?uestlove, Brad Jones, Col. Bruce Hampton, and Christian McBride. In 2013 Ropeadope artists Snarky Puppy were awarded a Grammy for Best R & B Performance. The label has been at the forefront of the new music business, tailoring a new model of artist support and unique social media strategies. Ropeadope is a hub for artist driven independent label imprints GroundUP, Mashibeats, Label Who?, and Jellowstone Records. SoulandJazz.com began as a unique, legal and commercial free podcasting service, which is now evolving to become a tastemaker subscription service for progressive soul and jazz artists. Led by Brian Hurst with selective programming from Brian, Mike Chadwick, Dr. Brad Stone, Scott Fugate and Tony Minvielle, SoulandJazz.com delivers the finest in legacy recordings and new jazz in lossless audio. Their Be Heard service is a fresh new model for radio, curating the best new releases for delivery to a tight network of the world’s tastemakers DJ’s and programmers on web and terrestrial radio. Fall of 2014 will mark the introduction of their live 24/7 streaming service.