Avitone Records
Encyclopedia
Avitone Recordings is an independent record label
formed by singer/songwriter Jody Watley
in 1995, established after Watley departed ways with MCA Records
. The singer formed the label as a vehicle to support her own musical evolution outside of the major label system http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20090518/bs_prweb/prweb2422454_2. Watley's fifth studio album, 1995s Affection, was the labels first release.
. In 1999 Avitone via music license
aligned exclusively with Universal Music Group
Japan, for the release of her seventh studio album Saturday Night Experience, Vol. 1. In the United States, distribution for the release of the single "Saturday Night Experience" was handled by Giant Step Records .
In 2003, Avitone entered into a license
agreement with Shanachie Records
for the release of her eighth studio album, Midnight Lounge
. In 2006, the label entered into a unique partnership with the Virgin Megastore
chain to be the exclusive provider for Watley's ninth album The Makeover, which debuted at number one for the chain according to Hits Daily Double. In 2007, in conjunction with Sony Special Products, Avitone with released Watley's live album, Super Hits Live.
In May 2009, Avitone announced its international distribution agreement with the London branch of Warner Music Group's
independent music distribution network, Alternative Distribution Alliance
(also known as ADA) .
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
formed by singer/songwriter Jody Watley
Jody Watley
Jody Vanessa Watley is an American, singer, songwriter, record producer, and founder of Avitone Records whose music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul....
in 1995, established after Watley departed ways with MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. The singer formed the label as a vehicle to support her own musical evolution outside of the major label system http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20090518/bs_prweb/prweb2422454_2. Watley's fifth studio album, 1995s Affection, was the labels first release.
Label History
Initially the label was distributed by the noted independent Bellmark RecordsBellmark Records
Bellmark Records is a small U.S. independent record label, based on the west coast and is distributed by the independent DM Records Group. It was formed in the late 1980s by Al Bell, who was one of the driving forces behind the legendary Stax Records....
. In 1999 Avitone via music license
License
The verb license or grant licence means to give permission. The noun license or licence refers to that permission as well as to the document recording that permission.A license may be granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement...
aligned exclusively with Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
Japan, for the release of her seventh studio album Saturday Night Experience, Vol. 1. In the United States, distribution for the release of the single "Saturday Night Experience" was handled by Giant Step Records .
In 2003, Avitone entered into a license
License
The verb license or grant licence means to give permission. The noun license or licence refers to that permission as well as to the document recording that permission.A license may be granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement...
agreement with Shanachie Records
Shanachie Records
Shanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic...
for the release of her eighth studio album, Midnight Lounge
Midnight Lounge
Midnight Lounge is the eighth studio album by American pop singer, Jody Watley . Originally released only in Japan via her Avitone label , fan and critical acclaim prompted Watley to release the album Stateside by way of a distribution deal with Avitone and Shanachie. The U.S...
. In 2006, the label entered into a unique partnership with the Virgin Megastore
Virgin Megastore
Virgin Megastores is an international chain of record shops, founded by Sir Richard Branson on London's Oxford Street in early 1971. Virgin Megastores are best described today as entertainment retailers....
chain to be the exclusive provider for Watley's ninth album The Makeover, which debuted at number one for the chain according to Hits Daily Double. In 2007, in conjunction with Sony Special Products, Avitone with released Watley's live album, Super Hits Live.
In May 2009, Avitone announced its international distribution agreement with the London branch of Warner Music Group's
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
independent music distribution network, Alternative Distribution Alliance
Alternative Distribution Alliance
The Alternative Distribution Alliance was created in 1993 by Warner Music Group and Sub Pop Records as a joint venture to distribute and manufacture records owned by indie labels. Headed up by Mitchell Wolk, ADA is the leading "indie" distribution company in the U.S. for both physical and digital...
(also known as ADA) .