Warner Music UK (WMUK) and independent record label, Brownswood Recordings, have inked a joint venture.
Brownswood Recordings was founded by the acclaimed DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson alongside partners Simon Goffe and Emily Moxon.
The label has released music from a wide range of artists including Kokoroko, Swindle, Kassa Overall, Shabaka & the Ancestors and Ghostpoet, and has a reputation for discovering and nurturing new talent.
The partnership will enable Brownswood Recordings to expand its reach and offer its artists new opportunities for growth and development, while WMUK will share its expertise in distribution, marketing, and promotion and give Brownswood Recordings access to a global network and a wealth of resources.
“After 16 years developing Brownswood’s catalogue, we are very excited to work with Warner Music to level up globally on some of our biggest projects.”
Gilles Peterson – Founder, Brownswood Recordings
The first release under the joint venture will be the celebrated drummer, producer and visionary artist Yussef Dayes’ highly anticipated debut solo album, Black Classical Music. The record’s title track and lead single features Venna and Charlie Stacey and is available today, with the album following on 8th September.
“Brownswood Recordings has a proven track record of discovering and developing an eclectic range of artists and music, and in Gilles, they have a tastemaker label owner with experience of finding talent and making records.”
Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music UK
Gilles Peterson says: “After 16 years developing Brownswood’s catalogue, we are very excited to work with Warner Music to level up globally on some of our biggest projects. There is no better artist to kick off this collaboration with than Yussef Dayes – he is already an icon with so much star power. He has delivered us an opus with Black Classical Music – his debut studio album as a solo artist. I am also thrilled to be shining a light on some of the Atlantic Jazz catalogue on Brownswood’s sister label Arc – starting with Yusef Lateef’s classic “Detriot Latitude 42 30 Longitude 83”, which we have beautifully restored from the original tapes.”
Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music UK, adds: “Brownswood Recordings has a proven track record of discovering and developing an eclectic range of artists and music, and in Gilles, they have a tastemaker label owner with experience of finding talent and making records. At Warner Music, we have a rich history of supporting important independent labels and going forward, we hope to help Brownswood’s artists connect with an even wider global audience.”
Peterson founded Brownswood Recordings in 2016 as a platform for new artists to grow and a space for more established acts to experiment. The joint venture will see Brownswood Recordings continue to operate as an independent label, with Peterson and his team retaining creative control. However, Warner Music UK will provide the label with expert support and resources, which will help it grow and thrive in today’s competitive market.Music Business Worldwide