Any More Known Piracy Labels

[Bill]

Thinking of Abraham makes me wonder.Thanks.

[Guest]

whats up with abraham? rohit used to press out jammys stuff without permission over years.

[leggo rocker]

Lack of permission to use material is what's up with Abraham. Allegedly.

And just because it's done before doesn't make it right.

[Chris]

I have seen Culture Press referred to as Vulture Press. It may have something to do with this from the JA Observer, July 15, 2005.

Chris

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyl ... J___M_.asp

[leggo rocker]

Winning a court case is one thing, getting the money out of the loser is another. ANy one know if they got paid?

[Freddy C]

It depends who you ask. For instance, it's been said that Trojan don't pay until someone comes looking for money.

I think the Rhino label from the UK is dubious and may have some connections with Enzo Hamilton of Culture Press/Lagoon /Esoldun infamy.

There was even a little controversy when Pressure Sounds re-released Israel Vibration's "The Same Song" album because the group had said they were never paid by Tommy Cowan. (No implication here that Pressure Sounds do not have the rights to what they put out.)

Another label that may not be legit is Jet Set in France.

Sometimes a label will license tracks from another label with money changing hands but the licensing label does not actually have a legal right to the material. Charly is a dodgy label with a controversial owner and have put out a handful of reggae releases. Orbis publications licensed many Chess recordings (blues) from Charly but came unstuck when it arose that MCA actually owned the Chess catalogue.

I've heard it said that MCA had some controversial backers but that's another story/ can of worms. They're now part of Universal.

Reggae Retro (UK) allegedly did not pay for their Rupie Edwards set and Rupie has since reissued it himself.

As one Jamaican artist said (and I can't recall who): if he were bring his own music to a pressing plant he would have to prove his ownership to them but a major label would not be challenged - it's just assumed they have the rights! The big guy always wins.

Trojan are supposed to have made a lot of money years ago on some of their early releases. Apparently after licensing tracks from producers some of these tunes would go on to sell in the UK in quantities that were far greater than the Jamaicans ever received royalties for, although the producers were doubtless fleecing there own artists as well.

There are quite a lot of bootleg singles going around recently. They are generally original label represses but not originating from the owners. Some are crappy sounding and even mastered from mp3s. They are usually expensive too. The dealers who sell them must have some idea of who is behind them.

[leggo rocker]

Jet Set France, not to be confused with the original and I think bona-fide Jet Set out of London, is best avoided.

Not sure if they are legit or not (I suspect not) but the productions are very poor. The CDs are usually just recorded direct from vinyl with no attempt to clean up the imperfections.

I would say this is the worst kind of piracy. Unlike when an individual downloads a track illegally for his own pleasure, here someone is actually making a profit from stealing songs.

[wadodem]

anyone know if eek a mouse got paid for any of them recent represses? wicked shall not reign etc..