Saxology Records 25th Year Anniversary !!
Well how time flies. We set up the Saxology label back in 1994 on the back of the success of the New Directions sampler with Wire magazine back in 1992. It was a vibrant and exciting time with some tremendous artists. We put out David Jean Baptistes Groove on a Four which was our first release was critically acclaimed and got jazz album of the year by The Independant.
We have always been into producing original quality jazz funk and soul and previously working wit the Jbs and Fred Wesley meant our standards were set high.
We signed the singer saxophonist Anita Carmichael to the label after her initial debut EP Live at the Premises on Rise Records was getting strong Uk airplay and lots of critical acclaim. We released her debut The Unadulerated back in 1994 to commercial and critical acclaim here in the UK getting to Number 7 in UK Jazz charts and a UK tour followed with appearances at Ronnie Scotts the Jazz cafe Cafe,Brecon Jazz festival & the Soho jazz festival. Plus Anita openeded the Glastonbury Fesival in 1994 and I still remember the interview with MTX and her 3 week oldbaby John. Anita then performed at the legendary Antibes Festival supporting the legendary BB King and show was televised and broadcast across Europe.
iN 1995 we signed a deal with Lipstick records in Germany wfor Anita Carmichael and the Soul Immigrants as well as sax player Ray Gaskins. Also in 1995 we did our first Asian deal licensing Anita Carmichael in Asia with Taiwan label Maysun Records and we did a Far East tour of Singapore Malaysia Indonesia and Japan. We then signed a deal in Japan with Midi Records in 1995. Releasing Saxotronix plus a Healthy Vibe in Japan which sold well. We also achieved chart success in Italy and Spain Anita Carmichael album and single getting to number 4 in the charts.
The Soul Immigrants formed by charismatic singer songwriter Emrys Baird and multi instrumentalist Nitin Swhney in 1992 had both commercial and critical acclaim on the debut album in UK Europe and Japan. We then did a deal with US label Qualiton Records in New York to distribute all our catalogue then we signed a major distribution deal with BMG records.
Saxology had a hiatius after 2000 focusing on other areas but now in 2019 we are back in business !!
Working with new artists and new releases scheduled this year so watch this space.
Mike Tanousis London 2019