LABEL NEWS

1.) In a recent post, I mentioned that San Francisco’s Ubiquity Records is one of those rare labels that only puts out good shit. If it says “Ubiquity” on the cover, it’s guaranteed quality. Not only do they promote talented, creative new artists, but they reissue classic soul, jazz, and funk from the 60s and 70s for their Luv N’ Haight division (named after the There’s a Riot Goin’ On song, of course).

Check out all the great stuff Ubiquity has on deck for 2007 (scroll about half way down their home page). I’m especially excited for Detroit producers Platinum Pied Pipers’ follow-up to their excellent 2005 debut Triple P and for a full-length (finally!) from LA-based producers Sa-Ra Creative Partners. For those who aren’t familiar with these names, think futuristic electro-funk. Other artists to check for on the roster include Ohmega Watts and Darondo.

2.) This is fairly old news, but it can’t hurt to remind folks that Stax – the legendary Memphis soul label (Otis, Sam & Dave, etc.) – has been reactivated and has a lot going on in 2007 as part of its 50th anniversary. They’ve signed Angie Stone and (re-signed) Isaac Hayes, and they’re planning on mining the archives and putting out assorted deluxe editions and the like, plus a 2-disc 50-song Stax anthology.

But first up, I believe, is an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute album featuring covers by Chaka Khan, Me’Shell N’degeocello, ?uestlove, and others. (A word of caution, however: tribute albums like this look great on paper, but they are notoriously hit-or-miss.)