Independent Distribution Collective

Press Releases 9/2004 - Present

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IDC Presents Our Round 25 "New Music" Solicitation

13 New Releases featuring some great new CDs, spanning Neo-Soul, R&B, Jazz, Alt Pop, Rock, Roots and Dancehall Reggae, 80’s Pop, Electronica, and even a little bit of Blues too.

For Immediate Release: June 9th, 2009

Independent Distribution Collective presents its 25th Round Solicitation just in time for placement for the    2009 summer season. We are so excited as we have reached a huge milestone with 25 solicitations over the past 5 years. Check out the overview of the new titles below for more information on any of these artists or releases. IDC proudly welcomes these 13 new titles:

Bill Ortiz - From Where I Stand CD (On Tour with Santana Throughout 2009)

Bill Ortiz has been a member of Carlos Santana’s touring band since 2000, landing the gig after performing on the Santana's 1999 smash single Smooth from the multi-Grammy-winning, 30-million   selling smash CD, Supernatural.  Ortiz also appears on the Grammy-winning single The Game of Love from Santana’s 2002 release, Shaman.  Carlos Santana states, “Bill articulates the beautiful language of jazz without loosing the purity and innocence of a child.  It’s a wonderful experience to share music every night with him.” This debut album mixes R&B, Neo-Soul, and Jazz, with ton of other worldly flavors.

Roy G Biv & The Mnemonic Devices - The Blue Orange    

“The Blue Orange” was written and recorded entirely in the Richmond District of San Francisco, and the songs are saturated with all the beauty and weirdness of the city that surrounded them. The hook-laden melodies will dance through your head as they ruminate about life on the open road, the joys of sleeping in, love in the afterlife, the benefits of whiskey, and browsing through record stores. It is an album about the simple pleasures of life, with a laid back sound that cannot be resisted.


2 Suns - Love Revolution CD
 
Upbeat conscious contemporary rock with fresh female vocals, amazing guitar layers and awesome    production, makes you want to smile and get up and dance. With "Love Revolution", 2 SUNS have     continued to put themselves out there. And now that hope is more than just a buzzword, the social     consciousness of their music is ready for a new and expanded audience. But as Gina says, they’ve always kept their mission simple. “We just keep the love we have for our art,” she concludes. “It’s the best way we can show up as artists, and as human beings in the world.”

KJ Sawka - Undefined Connectivity 2 X EP CD

KJ Sawka's latest production Undefined Connectivity takes us to his most cohesive, signature sound to date. Manipulating massive, towering arcs of bass sine waves that pass through you and take off for the horizon, KJ, galloping at a dangerously ferocious pace only he can muster, creates melody of electro and glitch like magic in his hands. He floats and bobs you on a massive bed of bass, and from the center of this song -of this electro-epic- he pounds on drums and crashes and cymbals, he swings swords and daggers and grinds bits of glass, slicing it all up and crunching it all up in one streaming never ending.

Shantytown - Lost Color CD

Shantytown's new CD 'Lost Color' is considered by many to be darker and more layered than their debut cd, "Trying to Find the Door". From beginning to end, Lost Color's thirteen tracks remind us of the       constant struggles of the individual against society, and even in the many daily deaths in the stories it recounts, we arrive reborn. "Shantytown's new release, Lost Color, puts them right at the top of Northern California's roots rockers. Kernan's songwriting and vocals again take center stage, but the layering of instruments to back him out show a depth and tightness missing in most bands today."

The Little Girls - Thank Heaven for ValleyPop CD

80s fans will love Thank Heaven for ValleyPop, packed with re-releases of The Little Girls’ early smash hits like “The Earthquake Song,” “How to Pick Up Girls,” “Left Without a Real Kiss” and more.  There are also a few surprises, including a clip from a live interview with the legendary Rodney on the ROQ, and Richard Blade’s introduction of the premiere of The Little Girls cover of the Dave Clark 5’s “Anyway You Want It.”  Thank Heaven for ValleyPop is the kind of CD that sunny days, beaches and convertibles were made for.

The Little Girls - Today...and Yesterday CD

Today…and Yesterday features captivating new music from The Little Girls, from the feel-good track “Upswing,” written by guitarist Kip Brown, to the more sultry rock harmonies of Caron and Michele in “Come Back to Me” and “Suzy Clone.”  The Little Girls show some modern flair with the acoustic flavor of “Love Song” and honor their L.A. New Wave roots on retro tracks like “Movin’ On”.   The second half of Today…and Yesterday is devoted to several previously unreleased demos from the early 80’s as well as some special bonus clips and answering machine recording fun.

Galactic Council  - Galactic Funktions CD

The music is a unique combination of conscious hip-hop, funk, and reggae filled with positive vibes and bass-bumping beats. The Galactic Council Hip-Hop Collective is a group of spiritual artists who use art to bring healing to Planet Earth. The collective consists of independent hip-hop, reggae, and electronic musicians, who are part of a large network of community activists and healers. The music is a unique combination of conscious hip-hop, funk, and reggae filled with positive vibes and bass-bumping beats. The Galactic Council Hip-Hop Collective was formed by producers Resonant Sun and Cerberus, both Bay Area natives, who have been producing together for over five years with the intention of creating positive hip-hop.

Jack Miller / Various Artists - Dreadlock Rock CD

In 1977, California musician, Jack Miller went to Jamaica beginning a passionate, life long pilgrimage into the heart of the Kingston recording scene.  Miller befriended, recorded & toured with a who's who of Reggae superstars including Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare, the Mighty Diamonds, Big Youth, Rebel Rockers, the Reggae All-Stars, Blue Riddim Band, The Soul Syndicate and members of Third World and the Wailers.  Willie Nelson is featured on this CD as well.

Mojo Morgan - Got Mojo? EP/CD

Mojo Morgan is going on the prowl solo. This cornerstone to the Morgan Heritage super group is taking his message and morphing it into a new hybrid. Got Mojo is an Alternative record, but one that’s heavily influenced by Rock, Hip-Hop, and Reggae. This is Rasta-Rock as only Mojo can do it - there’s still the same consciousness and lyrical importance, but Got Mojo does it with some serious groove a la Jack Johnson meets 311 meets Bob Marley.

Soul Majestic - Better World CD

A maturation of their original sound, Soul Majestic’s latest effort breaks down genre barriers allowing an explosion of creativity. Each track stands alone and the musicianship showcases Soul Majestic’s agility and varying influences from Roots to Hip Hop to R&B. With obsessive attention to detail, the production relays a classic quality while also demonstrating a modern, edgy feel that will integrate seamlessly into clubs and DJ playlists. Better World is an authentic creation from start to finish emphasizing sincerity and a window into the band’s values and life experiences

J Hanson - Give The Drummer Some CD

Give the Drummer Some, J. Hansen’s first solo CD, is a showcase of all that he does: singing, songwriting, arranging, guitar playing, and drumming. The album encompasses the three musical styles that have influenced his songwriting the most: blues, country, and rock and roll. The music is not a combination of styles, rather, a showcase of his songwriting talents in these three distinct styles, all related as American roots music. Therefore, this CD may be considered Americana to some, blues to others, or even a rock album.

Pictures of Then - And The Wicked Sea CD

Following in the footsteps of Minneapolis’ countless Rock and Roll successes, Pictures of Then have been hailed as “helping to further shape the new Minneapolis sound.”(perfectporridge.com).  Gaining clout as an "amazing" (Red Gorilla Music Fest) and "fresh" (Crossroads Music Fest) live act, Pictures of Then takes to the stage with an energy that is undeniable. "Spirited and buzzy...they swung with glam-pop abandon, channeling psychedelic folk-roots through howling indie-rock branches." (Mid-Point Music Festival)
Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of IDC over the past 5 years and 25 Solicitations.

IDC Presents Our Round 21 "Late Summer" Solicitation
8 CDs featuring some great new releases, spanning Underground Hip Hop , Electronica, Alt Pop, Industrial Rock and a little bit of Spoken Word and Blues too. Bringing our current catalog to over 260 products!

For Immediate Release: September 5th, 2008

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 21st Round Solicitation just in time for placement for Fall 2008. This round is like our past solicitations in the sense that it features some name brand  Hip Hop and Urban titles but also mixes in some new  Alt Pop, Industrial Rock, Blues, and Electronica releases as well. Check out the overview of the new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. IDC proudly welcomes these 8 titles:

Marrow - “Quiet Desperation”  (IDC is Marketing and Promoting This CD) 
San Francisco’s techno/electro/industrial rock outfit, Marrow, is a union of prodigal talent derived from classical and jazz training, musical theater, and the unrivaled production and performance skills of its four multi-instrumentalist members.  Marrow’s 15-track debut CD, ‘Quiet Desperation,’ is scheduled for release on September 16, 2008, with regional east and west coast US tours in August through September 2008 already scheduled. Check out this album as its sadness is refreshing... Everything is not going to be OK!

King Clarentz - “Day of The Supermodel”  (IDC is Marketing and Promoting This CD)
Day of the Supermodel is King Clarentz’s second commercial album release and his first release for Super Sweet Records. Whether he’s performing as a one-man band or fronting a combo, King wins the crowd over every time with his unique punk twist on Delta blues and garage rock. These 13 tracks, laid down with drummer Bobby Lloyd Hicks of the Skeletons, are truly true-to-live, full of the King’s unique reflections on such topics as hurricane parties, sex, death, and, of course, Republicans.

Anne Waldman/Ambrose Bye - “Matching Half”               
Internationally celebrated Beat performance artist and poet Anne Waldman, and poet-performer Akilah Oliver join musician/composer Ambrose Bye in an exciting new album, mixing poetry and experimental music. These original compositions & soundscapes bring a new dynamic to “spoken word”. Anne Waldman is a poet, performer, editor, Beat-archivist, and cultural activist. She has read and performed all over the world- from Berlin to Mumbai, from Tokyo to Beijing, from Rome to Prague. Ambrose Bye,  musician and   composer, grew up in an environment of art and beat poetry counting Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs as “poetic” godfathers.

Independent Distribution Collective presents its 20th Round Solicitation just in time for placement for “Summer, 2008”. This round is like our past solicitations in the sense that it features some name brand Reggae, Hip Hop and World Music, but also mixes in a few great new Singer/Songwriter releases and even some new Alt Pop, Rock, and Electronic releases as well. Check out the overview of the new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. IDC proudly welcomes these 9 titles:

AK1200 and Gridlok - “Autopsy” (2 X CD) 
The latest full-length on the Project 51 imprint, the 2 x CD album is set to drop worldwide in September, 2008. Birthed from their unshakable desire to bring drum n’ bass back to the forefront of dance music, AK and Gridlok set out to deconstruct and rebuild the genre - retaining only its signature elements. They’ve invited everyone from George Clinton to a yet-to-be-named fan, to have a hand in the revolution. Welcome to drum n’ bass 2.0 (http://www.autopsydnb.com).

Soulmedic - “Soul Medication”
Soul Medication is Soulmedic’s new album availible July 2008. With production and mixing overseeen by Latin Grammy nominee- Big Chris of Moodswing Records, Soul Medication is Medic’s most quality and intimate work to date. From thunderous dancehall tracks like Upfulivity, and Ganja Youth- feat. Jahworks the Revolutionary, to the jazz inspired, medical strain tribute- The Top Ten, Soul Medication is a journey through musical style and life experience.  Other featuerd artists on Soul Medication include Ras Attitude in the double-time duet-”Say A Prayer”; hot new singer/ producer Ishence of Higher Bound Productions on “In Theese Days”, and Hip Hop/Reggae group- Soulifted cipher the vocals and produce the modern classic- “B Unique”.

The Impalers - “Blood, Rum and Reggae”
The Impalers is an all-star reggae band featuring veteran musicians from Skankin’ Pickle, Let’s Go Bowling, The Rudiments, 78 RPM’s and The InCiters. These seasoned pros come together to create a new, energetic and authentic sound steeped in the traditions of Jamaican reggae, rocksteady and dub. One just needs to hear The Impalers to recognize their true love for Jamaican music. The Impalers take the very best of 60’s and 70’s reggae—deep grooves you would expect of the The Soul Vendors or The Harry J Allstars; sweet melodies like those of Phyllis Dillon, Dawn Penn or Horace Andy; and funky, soul-drenched horns you’d find from the likes of Tommy McCook or Roland Alphonso.

Chinenye - “Change”
Chinenye is moving his way up the ranks in the hip-hop game. He knows what it takes to survive and won’t stop until he reaches the top. Hailing from Washington, DC, Chinenye discovered the “gift of rhyming” while in high school. His early exposure to a variety of music genres, such as: African Gospel, Rock n’ Roll, Country, Hip-Hop/Rap, Rhythm & Blues, Pop, and Go-Go developed his passion for music. His charismatic and versatile style made him a “popular personality.” As a result of his exceptional talent, he receives special requests and accolades which all began with a poem he wrote on AIDS awareness.

Stevie Culture - “Top Class”
International Reggae artist Stevie Culture has been a singer and entertainer since his early teens. Stevie was born Stephen Jones on September 2, 1973 in Kingston Jamaica to Rastafarian parents. His Father was a guitar player and singer and his love of music certainly rubbed off on Stevie. He began playing the drums at age 12 and quickly became popular because of his musical talent and positive attitude. By age 16, Stevie became well known and would sing with leading sound systems and play and sing with bands all across the island of Jamaica.

Mar Project - “Stepping Stone”
Mar Project was conceived by Hiroshi Kono in 2001. It debuted with the mini album called “To the Winners” in 2003. Its first full-length album, “Mar Project One / Mar Project,” was complete in 2004. This album contained three different languages, English, Portuguese and Italian, and featured a couple of guest artists - Paolo Frassanito (singer and lyricist) and Wilson Loria (actor).

The Darbuki Kings - “Lawrence of Suburbia”
Don’t let the tongue-in-cheek cover art and liner notes fool you; The Darbuki Kings have a sense of humor but they also have amazing musical talent. The follow up to Doumtekestan, Lawrence Of Suburbia finds Antonio and Adnan continuing their journey along the Silk Road in this new collection. Antone and Adnan Darbuki’s recent worldwide tour has taken them to exotic Burbank, Edina, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Cottage Grove, Maplewood, Evanston, Yonkers…and as far away as Inver Grove Heights!

Tim Miller - “Adelaide”
Emotionally charged singer-songwriter whose sound brings to mind a young Bruce Springsteen, with touches of David Gray and Ari Hest. Dallas based singer songwriter Tim Miller burst onto the scene with his critically acclaimed first album Out Of The Box. Tim’s emotionally charged live shows have led to a loyal fan base as well a growing reputation for engaging, mature songwriting. Adelaide, which was released on May 6, 2008, is Tim’s strongest, most cohesive release yet and builds upon the success of Out Of The Box while keeping his signature acoustic tinged rock vibe.

Bela Karoli - “Furnished Rooms”
“Furnished Rooms” is an album that began in the car.  Its songs range from sparsely acoustic to lush, electronic landscapes, while the collection reckons with the realization that we are animals living with machines.  Bela Karoli’s own instrumentation reflects this tension as the band balances between acoustic and electronic.  The album takes its name from the second poem in T.S. Eliot’s “Preludes.”  Published in 1917, “Preludes” is a series of bleak portraits of modern life through which Eliot hints at the hopelessness born of living in the modern machine. From the driver’s seat of a moving car, Julie Davis wrote the album’s other lyrics.

                    

 IDC Presents Our Round 18 "Winter" Solicitation

9 CDs featuring some great new releases, spanning Underground Hip Hop and Rap, Female fronted Singer/Songwriter, and a little bit of World Music and Electronica too. This brings our catalog to over 220 total products!

For Immediate Release: February 15th, 2007

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 18th Round Solicitation just in time for placement before Spring, 2008. This round is like our 2007 solicitations in the sense that it features some name brand Hip Hop and Rap, but also mixes in some great new Female Singer/Songwriter releases and even some new World, Jazz and Electronic releases as well. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

Apostle - “Lyrical Activism”
Inspired by the golden era of Hip Hop, Lyrical activism combines the styles of Hip Hop, Electro funk, and Dub to create an engaging landscape of original grooves for APOSTLE's intense flow.Most notable collaborators on production are Mark Pistel (Meat Beat Manifesto, Consolidated, MC 900 Ft. Jesus, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy) and DJ Quest (Bulletproof Scratch Hampsters/ Space Travelers, Live Human). Vocally, the project features, Stero Lion of Heavyweight Dub Champion and Bay Area songstress Viveca Hawkins.

Live Human/DJ Quest “Breakseven”
We made Breakseven originally as a tool for our own use. DJ Quest had long talked about pressing up some show wax that he could use specifically with Livehuman. So we spent a few months in the studio recording bits and pieces of ourselves with the idea that we would be able to remix ourselves live with what we had on wax. Once we listened back to it, we got the idea that this record might be useful in the hands of other Djs and producers as well. It’s a unique soundbank with itís own distinct pallete. What would happen if you gave ten DJs in battle the same record? The most interesting thing to us would be the view it might give of the artists' mind at their different levels of craft.That’s exactly what this record is...

Callous “One For The Notebooks”
Callous is one of the wall-paper tall emcees who performs with Fortuna, CA’s Dirty Rats crew.  With the release of his first solo album, “One for the Note Books,” he distinguishes himself as the group's reigning political critic and risk-taking poet. Callous has the credentials to be a home-schooled emcee. He moved to Eureka in the second grade and wrote poetry through high school. With several albums completed to date, and having performed with artists such as KRS-ONE, Cypress Hill, Redman, Guru, and Too Short to name a few, Callous and the Dirty Rats are more than ready to tour the country and the world.

Divasonic “Changing Wind”
The sound of Divasonic touches many different genres of music and is not easily categorized. Twisted loops mash with straight grooves and synths combine with classically infused flute and keyboard improvisations. Original lyrics derived from poetry often touch on spiritual themes and love drama of the moment. Her voice teaches and teases you, winding around the layered textures and with an attractive rawness.  Experimentation is key to the development of the Divasonic sound as well as collaboration and performance with other talented musicians in an attempt to redefine the concept of song.

ElHadji “Baay Faal”
Ever since his childhood days in Senegal, West Africa, Elhadji dreamed of bringing a new style of reggae to America and the world African Roots accompanied by powerful Djembe drumming.  Elhadji is now realizing his dream and working for God to create healing music for the people. Get ready to open your heart and mind and share in the celebration of divine love Elhadji’s upcoming shows include Bay Area clubs, Northern California festivals, as well as national and international tours later this year.

Melanie Dekker “Revealed”
Numerous accolades for her music, including charting in Europe, Canada and Australia, along with numerous sold out European tours, Melanie Dekker's latest CD, Revealed, is finally available in the United States as an import through Independent Distribution Collective. Grammy Award-winning David Kershenbaum, who has produced such notable artists as Tracy Chapman, Joe Jackson, Duran Duran, The Jacksons, Tori Amos and New Order, produced the premier studio album release from the Canadian singer/songwriter, for Zabit Records, a division of Sonoma Mountain Entertainment (SME). 

Mike Grande “My Dash Between the Numbers”
With nothing more than a reel to reel, a few guitars, an amp, drum machine and some keyboards, Mike was soon writing and recording his own material on a daily basis. Since the nineties, Mike’s home studio evolved into a full recording studio suite, with live rooms, a vocal booth and a state of the art control room. With his new studio, Mike would now be producing, recording and engineering his debut album; “My Dash Between the Numbers”

Star Anna “Crooked Path”
Alt-country artist, Star Anna, was born and raised in Ellensburg, Washington. Throughout the years she experimented with different avenues of music, ultimately finding comfort in an acoustic guitar and her words. She spent a few years playing coffee houses, sidewalks and campfires, building a small, but loving local fan base. In the summer of 2006 she was joined by Travis, Frank and Corey as The Laughing Dogs. At the end of summer in 2007 they lost their guitar  player to a different calling, but were then blessed by the phenomenal Justin Davis.

The Ramp “Exchange”
The Ramp has been playing original jazz for 7 years. Drawing on diverse influences from Herbie Hancock to The Smashing Pumpkins they continue to expand their material and explore new avenues. 'Exchange' is their first studio album. Guitarist and bandleader and founder Patrick Bowsher wrote the majority of the material on this album and produced the sessions with the band at Sony Studios in San Francisco.The album is live and has no overdubs. The Ramp have played many shows over the years including gigs at The Uptown, Bruno's, Cafe Du Nord, The Mint, Cafe Bukar, Rasella's Jazz Club and more.

Independent Distribution Collective builds strategic partnership with Pyramind - The Institute for Advanced Digital Audio Training

For Immediate Release: November 5th, 2007

San Francisco, CA – Pyramind is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with nation wide music distributor, Independent Distribution Collective, www.independentdistro.com (IDC).  As a part of this synergistic relationship, IDC has moved its offices into Pyramind’s facility at 880 Folsom St. The move is part of a bigger partnership that will allow IDC to expand its current footprint and to further build community within an already productive and ever expansive environment. This relationship is designed to help foster IDC’s growth by facilitating the launch of new products and services and expanding its focus in both Digital (IDCD) and Film (IDCF) distribution. New services being offered include “InstantDistro” and “Presto”: Both are services geared towards providing key assistance in the marketing, promotion and manufacturing of select independent label releases. Additional plans are underway to unveil a new website, that will allow IDC labels to upload all of their digital assets, and access each product’s sales history.

 IDC’s strategic partnership with Pyramind is part of a continuing and multi-faceted business relationship between IDC founder Steffen Franz and Pyramind’s Director and President Greg Gordon.

October 13th 2007 Pyramind launched a new imprint: Epiphyte Records (http://www.epiphyterecords.com) with its debut CD/DVD titled Test Press SF (now featured under “New Releases” on Itunes electronic music section). Leveraging IDC’s new services and resources, Steffen Franz will act as label manager for Epiphyte Records and will oversee the publicity and marketing of each release as well as physical distribution to stores across the USA.

IDC Presents Our Round 17 "Early Winter" Solicitation

7 CDs featuring some great new releases, spanning Underground Hip Hop and Rap, Female fronted Singer/Songwriter, and even a little bit of Indy Rock too. This brings our catalog to over 200 total products!

For Immediate Release: November 15th, 2007

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 17th Round Solicitation just in time for the Winter Holiday Season! This round is somewhat like some of our other 2007 solicitations in the sense that it features a ton of name brand Hip Hop and Rap, but also mixes in some great new Female Singer/Songwriter CDs. Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. We also want to take a minute to let everyone know we have relocated our offices to 880 Folsom Street in the South of Market district of San Francisco. The move is part of a larger partnership with Pyramind /  Institute for Advanced Digital Audio Training, and its new label Epiphyte Records. Also, look for our first all DVD solicitation, under the brand IDCFilm, by years’ end. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

Audiopharmacy - “Spare Change” CD
From the roots of hip-hop, world fusion, and experimentation. Audiopharmacy’s (San Francisco) new album, “Spare Change” has finally been born.A seamless fusion of hip-hop, world, reggae, grassroots jazz, & soul into a natural mold, which speaks to your soul all while making you move. The vocalists don’t come off as emcees & song-stresses, but as ancient scribes men dropping poetic gems of truth with the care of village elders. The music and instrumentation unifies the cultures of many. The Pharm represents a movement towards a musical utopia. While the rest of society catches up, our only hope is that those who get it can “Spare” to “Change” themselves. Recommended!

DJ Brasco - “Fill The Gap” Various Artists CD
Emerging from the French Hip-Hop scene, Dj Brasco has cultivated the art of turntables since 1998. He has shared his love for good music on the French airwaves, taking part in many radio shows then finally hosting his own radio program. In 2000, after touring France, mixing Hip-Hop, Funk, and Soul, he
naturally used his experience as a Dj and his training as a drummer towards beatmaking. He then joined a collective of artists: DV Corporation and produced a remarkable body of work, remixing the tracks of various artists such as MF Doom, The Roots, De La Soul, Steve Spacek, and others. The quality of his work caused critics to compare his touch to that of the legendary Dj Jazzy Jeff. Dj Brasco’s sound reached the ears of critically-acclaimed French rapper: Kohndo, spurring a collaboration in the making of Kohndo’s album “Deux Pieds sur Terre / Stick to Ground”.

Kohndo - “Stick To Ground” CD/DVD
Kohndo has bridged continents by collaborating with talented US artists. In a manner that hasn't been heard since Guru collaborated with MC Solaar on Jazzmatazz in 1993, Kohndo offers the American Hip-Hop fan an open window to the world and an eclectic alternative to the saturated mainstream rap scene. On this new album, it's alongside Boston rapper, INSIGHT, and Detroit’s very own DWELE and SLUM VILLAGE that KOHNDO showcases unlimited talent. Partly produced in Detroit, "DEUX PIEDS SUR TERRE / STICK TO GROUND", is the bridge between KOHNDO's Parisian universe and a New York Hip-Hop spirit that he often refers to as "Roots".

Poeticali Distherbd - “An Elephant, An Owl A Man and his Turntable” CD
Drawing from the jazz music ethic of constant evolution. Poeticali Distherbd creates music rooted in the boom bap era laced with a nonchalant positivity. Marcus Are aka The Auspicious Owl is the consummate thinker; holding down three jobs-one as a social worker-he is calculated and his style is regimented, giving Poeticali Distherbd consistency. Des One aka the Great Elefante is the equivalent of an urban gypsy. Running through life as a vagabond musically he can fly off the handle at any time. He is spontaneous and the life force behind Poeticali Distherbd..

Odd Man Out - “An Outsider’s Perspective” CD w/Instrumentals CD
An Outsider’s Perspective features razor-sharp critiques on the state of modern hip hop with songs like Havin’ Phun and It’s Easy, story telling songs reminiscent of Slick Rick with Much Too Much and Beef On The Block, and social commentary on Invisible Ones and Cops and Thugs.  Turning in some of his best production to date, Oakland’s Drunken Monkey produced nearly every note on this opus of diverse and steady-bangin beats from his Petri Disk Studios. Odd Man Out represents a new chapter in the long tradition of the Bay Area’s socially conscious, message-based, genre-defying Hip Hop movement.  Inspired by diverse Hip Hop veterans like Blackalicious, Tupac, Del, KRS-1, Rakim, Jurassic 5, and the Pharcyde, Odd Man Out never wastes a song on empty words or half-assed efforts.

Amanda Abizaid - “The Great Plan Vol.#2” CD
You know the voice, but you probably don't know the name: That is the Amanda Abizaid story. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, singer/songwriter Abizaid has spent the last couple of years as a vocalist-for-hire, contributing her singing to such TV programs as The 4400 (the theme song, "A Place in Time"), Smallville, and Charmed. Her new album, The Great Plan Vol. II, represents a singular vision, one that is not bound by any stylistic handcuffs as Abizaid veers from acoustic pop to modern rock and even slight touches of Americana. The Great Plan Vol. II is the result of Abizaid’s lifelong passion for melodies and vocal harmonies, which she has been perfecting since she moved to the United States at the age of nine, singing with her four older sisters.

Beth Whitney - “Leave Your Shoes” CD
Beth Whitney, a uniquely gifted singer/songwriter from Snohomish, Washington, is definitely an artist to watch. At 23, she shows a remarkable mastery of wordplay and a genuine love of language, along with a pop sensibility rarely seen in a songwriter so young.Beth’s latest offering, Leave Your Shoes, is a musical gem that artfully weaves dreamy, energetic acoustic folk-pop melodies with  thoughtful lyrics, creating tunes you ll soon be humming like old favorites. Her milky-sweet vocals and powerful magnetism will turn the most  unlikely listeners into instant fans. Leave Your Shoes  well-wrought musings range from butterflies of first love (Kickin  Pinecones) to angsty, post-teen self-reflection (Miss Misery), and spiritual awakenings (Busy Bee) to the tragedy of a loved one taken before his time (Lights Out).

IDC Presents Our Round 16 "Early Fall" Solicitation

7 CDs featuring some great new releases, spanning Roots and Dancehall Reggae and Hip Hop to Electronica, Dub and Downtempo, and even a little bit of Indy Rock too. This brings our catalog to almost 200 total products!

For Immediate Release: September 11th, 2007

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 16th Round Solicitation just in time for fall! This round is somewhat like some of our older solicitations in the sense that it features a ton of name brand Hip Hop and Rap, but also mixes in some great new Reggae & Dub CDs. Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. We also want to take a minute to let everyone know we are relocating our offices to 880 Folsom Street in the South of Market district of San Francisco. The move is part of a larger partnership with Pyramind / Institute for Advanced Digital Audio Training, and its new label Epiphyte Records. Also, look for our first all DVD solicitation, under the brand IDCFilm, by years’ end. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

Deuce Eclipse - "The OY Walkout"
Deuce Eclipse’s new album "The OY Walkout" is this Independent bay area emcee’s newest full length CD. An album filled with universal lyrics and upbeat energetic production by the Bay Area’s own; AMP LIVE, SOLEIL, RUBY RED EYE and JUS JONES. A trip into the life of a conscious rapper who stays true to his roots. Wordplay as well as subject matter meet in the middle to give the listener something to think about as well as move to. With guest emcees like ZION of the group ZION I, and fellow South African comrade D.U.S.T., the album is full of surprises and soundscapes at times switching from Spanish to Afrikanse.

Various Artists "Test Press SF" CD/DVD 
Test Press SF is a compilation CD/DVD release of the Test Press 2006 event winners. It is a showcase for the fifteen winners and presents their tracks as they were produced by the artists and producers who created them. Test Press SF was made possible by Ableton, makers of music software LIVE and Pyramind’s Institute For Advanced Digital Audio Training. It is also sponsored by Ingrooves and The San Francisco Chapter of The National Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences. The Bonus DVD includes the "Hot Tips™" video featuring Test Press winner and Pyramind instructor Timo Preece, AKA Gravity Terminal. Timo presents production tips in Ableton Live featuring his winning track "Mendokusai".  Also included on the bonus DVD are three of the winners’ Ableton Live session files and a demo version of the Ableton Live Software, giving people an opportunity to see first hand how the winning tracks by Gravity Terminal, Bender, and Techture were produced!.

Jahson Ites - "Forward Outta Babylon"
Jahson Ites has performed with, worked with, and opened for artists such as Stephen & Damian Marley, Rocker T, Ras Attitude, Adrian Xavier & the Dub Championz, Stand Out Selector, Bill Ortiz (of Santana), Karney, and many others. He is as likely to be found chanting at a generator-powered sound system party miles past the end of the pavement on a far-flung mountain road, in small clubs packed to the gills and overflowing into the street, or on a festival mainstage in front of thousands. This has all culminated in the release of Jahson Ites' 2007 debut album Forward Outta Babylon. Jahson Ites is known for his super-positive lyrics and energetic stageshow, wether he's singing with a live band, has a selector running riddims, or he's toasting with his daughter DJ AnJahLuv behind the tables.

 Dialects - "Urban Hash"
Dialects are a conscious, original musical outfit based in Philadelphia, that fuse live hip hop, reggae, dancehall & dub. Emcees Arcane & Syne are the frontmen while a live band supports their vocal stylings. Arcane (dru bayly) & Syne (brian brink) are originaly from Chicago and Cincinatti respectively and began performing and recording together when they both attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fl. They have played with and opened for such acts as The Roots, Common, Yung Joc, Steel Pulse, Yellowman, and The Wailers just to name a few! In 2005, Dialects traveled to Kingston, Jamaica where they stayed with the legendary Hammond family, and recorded tracks with Fattis Burrell at Xterminator Records.

Various Artists - "VI Reggae Gold Vol.1"
Carrion Entertainment - the label that brought you Batch's Jah Guidance album - presents this new compilation series.  This first installment features veterans like Batch, Ras Attitude & De Apostle alongside newcomers like Fyahking, Cruz Rock & Kamikaze. Diverse production and topics on this interesting collection of songs. JUSTO CARRION (AKA) "KAMAKAZI" a veteran pioneer of the Reggaeton movement out of Puerto Rico, used his Latin Distribution Resources to network Virgin Islands Reggae music through out the United States of America parts of Latin America and now parts of Europe.

Vibrational Architect - "Schmatics Vol. 1"
SCHEMATICS is a project that comes from legendary Bay Area bass player, producer and composer TOHO SAUNDERS (aka VIBRATIONAL ARCHITECT, SPRINKLA) who currently resides in Richmond, California. Toho has created a label called VIBE ARC with the intention of releasing many different styles of music over the next few years. An Electronic ghetto-tech expression thru Drum and Bass, Hip Hop,Reggae, and Funk: Drift in yo mod or stroll in yo hood and bump like you know you could... Toho is constantly touring across the USA and around the world with many of the best known Reggae groups. Take a listen to the album as it might suprise you!!!

 Seth Truett - "The Wind Is Gone"
"The Wind Is Gone" is 11 solid songs unhindered by fads, 11 songs that remind the listener how universal and immediate good songs, truly good compositions, timeless treasures in three and four minute morsels can be. Imagine an American Noel Gallagher with less sneer and more heart, and you’ve just scratched the surface of Seth Truett. "I believe people are capable of any skill they wish to possess," says Seth. "In terms of challenging myself, finishing this record was an accomplishment. I also got to play a zombie in Grindhouse; that’s got to count for something."

IDC Presents Our Round 15 "Early Summer" Solicitation

8 CDs featuring some well known names alongside some up and coming Hip Hop "Artist" and Compilation CDs plus a little Reggae and Dub Mixed in... This brings our catalog to over 190 products!

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 15th round solicitation just in time for Summer 2007! This round is somewhat like Round 9 in the sense that it features a ton of name brand Hip Hop and Rap, but also mixes in some great new Reggae & Dub CDs. Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit any of the label pages anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. Look for our first all DVD solicitation, under the brand IDCFilm, in mid-Summer, 2007. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

"IronMan" Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists
The Iron Man, an original motion picture soundtrack featuring music in styles ranging from Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic to World, featuring exclusive tracks from Grammy Award winning Artist Sir Mix-A-Lot and R&B legends The Undisputed Truth. A well-rounded uplifting soundtrack to the wildly hilarious film The Iron Man, an album sure to make you listen again and again. Check out the lead track of the sampler or track # 1 on the CD for an exclusive track from Sir Mix-A-Lot... Well worth the listen!

Mavrik - "About Face"
The cinematic album demonstrates the duos ability to touch their listeners to make them move, both internally and externally. While some songs, such as "Here We Go", both humorize and humanize the every day challenges people face, other songs, like Surrender featuring Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) and Jennifer Johns, carry the listener through a dark schizophrenic journey that leads ultimately to the realization of hope. Another great track is "What Life Is" featuring legend Mike Marshall who gives the song a strong and solid hook. Touring nationally in 2007!

DNAE Beats - "The First Hundred is The Hardest" - Various Artists
Dnae Beats Production Credits: Gift of Gab of Blackalicious, San Quinn, Mr.Lif, Universal Records, Sprite, Lateef The Truthspeaker, Kaz Kyzah of The Team, Pigeon John, Z-Man, Azeem, Quannum Projects, M.F. Grimm, Existereo, Akuma & Liferexall of The Shapeshifters, Repoman, Ellay Khule of Project Blowed, Thunderhut, Writers Block Of The Visionaries, Otherwize, Okwerdz, Conceit, Boac, Eddie K, Ezyme, Dave Dub have all used his beats. Many of these folks are guests or featurings on this brand new album which is mixed by DJ B. Cause in a "Showcase Mixed Tape" style... Check this CD out!

Ryan Greene "Golden Shelltoes"
To consider local emcee, singer and songwriter Ryan Greene a prolific artist would be an understatement. Since the mid-80’s, Bay Area native, Ryan Greene has devoted his life path to music and for this, has reaped the benefits of being a tenacious and charismatic staple in the Bay Area music scene. Making the transition from graffiti writer, to graphic artist, and now arranger, composer, producer, singer and emcee, Ryan Greene is an all-in-one package, with talent and skill that begs for comparison. Crown City Rockers’ Headnodic, Jason Stokes, Oakland Faders’ DJ Platurn, Bicasso and many more appear as guests, adding to Golden Shelltoes already broad appeal.

Yella Yezz "Yella Paidgez"
Yella Yezz is a hot new artist coming out of the Bay Area. Yella Paidgez the Debut album is a hard new album with an old school and new school flavor. All of the tracks are heavy and thick and will knock you out. These tracks include what many consider to be Hyphy, but to Yella Yezz, it is just songs about life in the city of Oakland, California. The lyrics definitely speak of street life and real problems everyone faces. The album covers every aspect of the hip hop world, and touches many different genres.

Super Tough "Dance Worm"
OK- so in 2006 Bruce and Wally decide to start their own reggae recording project called "SUPER TOUGH" - They laid down all the riddum tracks- Wally overdubs guitars- pianos-synths- fx- vocals and such then they bring in the BIG GUNS. Oakland is teeming with Jamaican and American musicians of amazing talent, They bring in Rankin Scroo, Tony Moses, Ras Kiddus, Sista-I-Live, Al Poncho, Tom and Greg Moore, Chris Rene, and Gina Nivens- to do the vocal work- and a host of others to add more musical bits. The result is SUPER TOUGH- "DANCE WORM" a collection of non traditional reggae songs done inna reggae style with some traditional and dub music thrown in.

IDC Presents Our Round 14 "Spring 2007" Solicitation

7 CDs featuring some well known and some up and coming Singer  /Songwriter, Rock, Funk, and Jazz Titles. This brings our catalog to over 180 products!

For Immediate Release: March 26th, 2007

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 14th round solicitation just in time for the start of spring! This round is just like many of our normal solicitations as it features many different styles of music including some of our mainstays like Singer/Songwriter, Rock and Reggae and even some Funk and Jazz. Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. Look for our first all DVD solicitation, under the brand IDCFilm, in late Spring, 2007. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

Cas Lucas - "Roads"
"Roads" is the much-anticipated sophomore release from Cas Lucas, an artist who has been turning heads for the last couple years. Tracks from "Roads," first posted on the San Francisco based artist's MySpace page early in 2006, instantly garnered an outpouring of fan support. After receiving international critical acclaim for his debut CD, the acoustic live album, "Giving it Back," (IDC#0010) and winning a devoted fan base for himself (impressively large for an impendent artist) through touring, myspace buzz galore, and an ever-growing street team program, "Roads" promises to be the CD that brings this talented guitarist/singer/songwriter’s music into the spotlight. Prduced by Adam Rossi of LUCE!

Shaunna Hall - "Electrodunkadelica" CD/DVD
"Electrofunkadelica" is a musical collection produced by Shaunna featuring a variety of compositions and collaborations with guest artists and writers, including members of P-Funk and many of Shaunna's past band-mates, including noted SF musicians Kevin Carnes, Eric McFadden, Janis Tanaka, and Christa Hillhouse. "Electrofunkadelica" is a collection of videos and recordings from Shaunna's round-the-world travels as a touring member of P-Funk. The musical styles range from hip-hop, pop, rock and funk, to jazz, neo-classical, nu-metal, electronica and more.

One Band - "Jah Inna We Heart"
Greetings Reggae Lovers Worldwide! Speaking for the poor, downtrodden, those afflicted by man's economical, social and political restraints, One Band International has erupted onto the scene to praise love and unity through the message and teachings of Rastafari. Hailing out of Hartford, CT, One Band International is proud to present their debut album "Jah Inna We Heart". This isn’t just an ordinary album it’s a reminder that unity and love are the basic ingredients for empowering the people and conquering the oppressor. This is one blessed release... Check it out!

Liz Pisco - "Gravity" CD-E
KFOG morning show DJ Renee Richardson says, "Gravity is a CD you play over and over again and get something new out of it each time. Liz Pisco’s soulful voice and spirited harmonies play like a soundtrack to life’s twist and turns; eloquent folk-rock full of wisdom and depth." Pisco has accrued a great vocabulary of human experience in her travels from Long Island to San Francisco and it is expressed here on her debut album. Check out this CD!

Dorado - Dorado Sound
Dorado is an altFunk group based in Portland Oregon. Started in 2002 by Australian ex-patriot singer/guitarist Sky Cooper, and NYC veteran session drummer Joe Trump. Dorado’s sound is a combination of rock, funk, and jazz elements. The debut album comes after 4 years writing and gigging and includes a solid line-up of PDX’s best talent, including local legend Renato Caranto on sax (Mel Brown’s Group) and Jen Folker (Dahlia) on backing vocals.

Terry Disley Experience - Across The Pond
Terry Disley is best known through his long history with UK Smooth Jazz super-group Acoustic Alchemy (as keyboard player and composer of many of their hits). Terry tours with Alchemy periodically as their special featured guest artist but is also known for his extensive session work with pop stars Bryan Ferry, Van Morrison, Madness, Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Jon Bon Jovi, Sir Mick Jagger, Tom Jones and many others, as well as serving with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics as his musical director for 5 years. Now residing in California he concentrates exclusively on his solo career.

IDC Presents Our Round 13 "Winter 2007" Solicitation

8 titles featuring another host of well known Reggae, Hip Hop, and even a few Rock Titles. This brings our catalog to over 130 available products!

For Immediate Release: January 9th, 2007

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 13th round solicitation just in time for the New Year! This brand new solicitation features products from all over the world. IDC decided to ship this new round out a week into the new year, to make sure these titles would be given consideration before the thousands of new releases coming out later this month. This round is just like our normal solicitations as it features many different styles of music including some of our mainstays like Reggae and Hip Hop, but also some Downtempo, Pop and even some pure Rock releases. Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. IDC has begun offering our titles Digitally, under the IDCD brand, starting in early January. Also, look for our first DVD solicitation, under the brand IDCFilm, in mid to late February, 2007. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

OuttaNowhere Entertainment - "Queendom Vol. 1"
A pioneering Hip Hop album featuring an all female MC lineup! Be sure to recognize their names carry weight: MC Lyte, Ladybug from Digable Planets, Bahamadia, Apani B Fly, Conscious Daughters, Neb Luv, Omega aka Miz Marvel, Madame Pinky, Tenashus, Gypsy Love, Princess, Aya De Leon, Macromantics, and Siren's Echo. Queendom is a nexus, a landmark for what women have brought to Hip Hop and a prelude to the artistry and creation of tomorrow.

Heroes Of The Dancefloor - "Momentum"
(100% of the proceeds of this CD benefit San Francisco’s Homeless)
The album features the singer from Bugz in the Attic, the trumpet player from the Scissor Sisters, the sax player from Portishead, the double bass player with Ian Anderson, some of the most successful voice over artists in American TV, Radio and Film, the recording engineer with Sway, the Neptunes, Placebo, etc and a very successful illustrator of childern’s books did the cover art.ALL the money for this record will go to the charity Coalition on Homelessness San Francisco (www.cohsf.org), a grassroots social justice effort dedicated to the elimination of homelessness and its social, political and economical causes.

Various Artists "Soccaton"
This CD contains brand new tracks from 16 of Panama’s greatest MC’s and Singers on a totally new style of music called aptly "Soccaton". This album features a blend of Socca and Reggaeton, and is the first of its kind available today. Produced by Conquering Lion Soundz, who has already scored success in the USA and in Latin America with its first release, La Plena, a Various Artists Reggaeton compilation featuring over 20 artists.Thanks Rocker T, for the great new sound and thank you DJ Fulo for the perfect name.

Kulture Freedem - "Uhuru Movement"
The first member of the highly regarded Mud Face Camp to manifest a solo album, Kulture Freedem hails from Queens, New York. Kulture best describes himself as a real hip hop aficionado a true soldier on the front lines fighting to preserve the soul of the music. He brings this vision to the masses with Uhuru Movement. In this current collection Kulture takes us thru 16 cuts of pioneering, poetry and beats. Music to keep you bouncing, grinding and bumping till 4 in Da morning. Clean clear crisp sounds that challenges the listeners to elevate their decision making process. These songs speak to music fans.

Ron Wiseman - Mystical Mood
Ron Wiseman’s latest CD "Mystical Mood" fuses modern reggae rhythms and sounds, and catchy commercial pop melodies, merged with a thinking person’s poetic lyrics. All melodically presented. Mixed together with pop, ska and even some rock and roll, Mystical Mood conveys a deeper message with intelligent lyrics inspired by the Old Testament. Smooth, easygoing reggae with a purpose.

Anagram - The Lights Went Up
"The Lights Went Up" is the much-anticipated sophomore album for Anagram, and features guest performances by Bill Gould (Faith No More), Mike Morasky (Steel Pole Bathtub), Nathan Petty (Rogue Wave), Eric Schopmeyer (Slackjaw), Mike Lardas (Assemble Head), and Joe Goldring (The Enablers). One can hear the textured orchestration of the Beach Boys, the ethereal vocals of the Cocteau Twins, the driving beats of New Order, and pop hooks reminiscent of the Pixies, yet all the while Anagram keeps the uniqueness of their sound intact.

House Of Riddim - Chapter 11
Roots and Dancehall Reggae at its finest from an Austrian based Reggae band and producer team. This is a crucial album that features well known reggae artists from all over the world. The "House of Riddim" proves to be a first-class creation of wonderful and groovy Roots Riddims. The crew already worked with a ton of amazing world class reggae artists as both producers and an amazing backing band. Some of the artists featured on this CD include Rankin’ Joe, Mykal Rose, and Black Dillinger.

Aesense of Time - Aesense of Time
Aesense of Time is a Seattle based ensemble with an innovative Roots & Blues sound- a blend of jazz based funk, R&B, and modern roots reggae. Analog keyboards such as the organ, Fender Rhodes, and clavinet add a vintage flavor to heavy, bass-driven grooves. Tracks such as Infinite Breath and Moments of Grace highlight Aesense of Time’s jazz roots, while urban and hip hop influences appear on Time and Soul Jah. Let Them Hear and Sacred Places present a more traditional roots reggae approach. Tracks like Hand in Hand and Message reveal the quintessential Roots & Blues sound. Aesense of Time speaks to people of all backgrounds with universal messages of love, community, and life's struggles

Bed on Bricks - If You See Kay
Bed on Bricks is known to be one of the most original and tightest bands in South Africa. In an era where rock music is chronically lacking originality they serve as an example of true local style. The band’s sound is chunky, funky, smooth and rough, with a lot of hop and lyrics free from cliche, American accented lamentations. Add to this their phenomenal stage act and it is evident that these guys are on their way to major success.

10 titles featuring a host of well known Reggae, Hip Hop, and even a few Rock Titles. This brings our current catalog to over 100 available products!

For Immediate Release: October 25th, 2006

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 12th round solicitation just in time for placement before the Holidays! This new solicitation is our second "double" Solictiation and includes our 100th title. IDC decided to ship this new round out a week before Halloween, 2006 to make sure these titles would be given consideration before the winter holidays. This round is more of like our normal solicitations than the past few as it features many different styles of music including some of our "mainstays" like Reggae and Hip Hop, but also some Singer/Songwriter, Rock and even a little Country. Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit each label page anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. IDC will also begin offering our titles Digitally, under the IDCD brand, starting in early November. Also, look for our first Film solicitation, under the brand IDCFilm, in mid to late November, 2006. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

Edi Fitzroy - Hold The Vibes
Edi Fitzroy, long time conscious reggae veteran’s new album release "Hold The Vibes", on rising Northern California record label King Step Recordings has been in the works for almost a decade and is being compared to many of his best records. The album features a classic acoustic vibe and superb vocals that are sure to last the test of time. It displays a conscious, explosive and energetic Edi Fitzroy. Edi has made his impact in the music industry with his songs of consciousness, and his new release "Hold The Vibes" continues the formula that has propelled him all these years.

Rob Symeonn - The Chosen One
Igniting fires with righteous rastaman vibrations Rob Symeonn blends roots riddims with sweet, smoky vocals and an always uplifting message. Recording reggae music and satisfying fans is something Rob has done for over twenty years. He is a passionate lyricist catching the attention of a worldwide audience. The new album, "THE CHOSEN ONE" on Redbud Recordings, is a very strong collection of songs, and is sure to make a lasting impression on the worldwide reggae community. The album also features guest appearances from Junior Kelly, Terry Ganzie, Willow Wilson and Simpleman.

Mista Majah P - Natty A We Beauty
Born into Reggae music straight out of Kingston Jamaica, and lived uptown in Kingston 8 area known as White Hall Ave.MISTA-MAJAH-P went to Swallowfield All Age, and then went on to Kingston Secondary and then on to Excelsior High where he observed the King Yellowman performing at the Tastee Talent Contest. That was when he realized music was his destiny. He started to chant on local sound systems in the area, King Challenger, with the likes of Papa Lloyd, Daddy Freddie, and occasionally Beenie Man, Red Dragon Lizard, Risto Benji, Pinchers, and Sanchez to name a few.

MDV - Roots All Sorts
‘Roots All Sorts’ is the unique album from M.D.V. (Many Different Variations), formally known as One Style M.D.V. This reggae band has been together for over 20 years as friends and has been through several transformations. They began in their local community, playing community events, pubs and clubs of the London boroughs of Hackney and Islington. This led to larger events across London, such as The Notting Hill Carnival and Anti-Racism, Anti-Apartheid festivals. The band pride themselves on their live appearances and their unique, experimental sound.

Cleveland Steamers - Treasure Chest
Posters asking DO YOU LIKE CLEVELAND STEAMERS? blanket telephone poles throughout Portland, Oregon, as part of a grassroots marketing campaign launched by the hip-hop trio Cleveland Steamers, in an attempt to spread the word about their new album, Treasure Chest. In order to expand their mmmmarket, the group has begun to institute the campaign in all of the cities in which they appear, as they work their way down the west coast, performing with two of the Northwest’s best DJs, Wicked and Wels.

Wickenshire - Wickenshire
WickenShire is from Oakland, CA. They have been together a little over three years now. This album is a beat driven instrumental album which includes dozens of instruments. This album sits in categories such as hiphop, electronic and even indie rock. WickenShire is a two piece band that consists of Josh Hernandez, who plays guitar and does electronic manipulations, Andrew Wickens who plays keyboards, bass and sequences samples and drums. This album is a very cool, background type album...

Keith Greeninger - Glorious Peasant
Keith Greeninger paints intricate portraits of the human condition with powerful melodic images, deep engaging guitar rhythms and warm heart wrenching vocals. He is a multi award winning singer songwriter and the 2005 winner of the prestigious Telluride Troubadour National Song Writing Competition. In addition to the Telluride Blue Grass Festival, 2005 found Keith at The Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival and The Sisters Folk Festival in Oregon, as well as venues and halls through out the country.

Ian Collins - The Map Is Not The Territory
The summer of 2006 sees the worldwide release of the critically acclaimed album "The Map Is Not The Territory" by Ian Collins on Constant In Opal Records (CIO 001) Everyone has their own "subjective" map of the world. It represents what goes on around us, what things mean to us and what we believe and feel about them and our perceptions, or what we understand as experience or reality. All this map making goes on in our minds as we try to understand the world we live in.

Chris Brown - Now That You’re Fed
An award-winning independent filmmaker by day, Chris's work has screened in festivals worldwide. His latest film, "Scared New World," won Best Feature at the 2006 Pacific Edge Film Festival. With Now That You’re Fed, Chris brings his layered, catchy, sometimes caustic vision to the music world. Having played in a number of Bay Area bands over the last decade or so, Chris can be heard on forthcoming releases by Jon Del Arroz, Chris Manning, The Well Wishers and Heidi Jane. Now That You’re Fed is his solo debut.

Groovy Judy - Life
Groovy Judy, San Francisco’s flower-power funk rocker, and stellar blues-funk guitar player has released her second CD "Life." Produced by Roberta Donnay (Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks), the music is about commonplace life experiences such as love, relationships and being happy. The track, "Be Who You've Got to Be," sparks an inspirational vibe of being true to yourself, "Your Life" encourages enjoying life to the fullest, and "Get Along" is Judy's peace anthem about putting an end to all of the negativity in this world.

IDC Presents Our Round 11 "Late Summer" Solicitation

8 titles featuring a host of well known Reggae, Hip Hop, and even a few Rock Titles This now brings our current catalog to over 95 available products!

For Immediate Release: August 20th, 2006

This new solicitation comes on the heals of Round 10, our first "double" Solictiation. IDC decided to ship this new round out two weeks before Labor Day, 2006. This round is quite different then our normal solicitations as it features many different styles of music including some of our mainstays like Reggae and Hip Hop, but also some Reggaeton and even Jazz. Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

La Plena - Various Artists
Over 30 of the biggest and best known names in reggaeton music from Panama are contracted artists and producers on the label Conquering Lion Soundz Group. With 4 plus years of massive radio and video rotation, CLSG has taken and maintained more than a lions share of broadcast in Panama and Central America. These "spins" are increasing as you read this. Conquering Lion Soundz Group's artist and producer roster reads like a who's who of Panamanian & Central American reggaeton music. CLSG creative partner DJ FULO, is a legendary reggaeton producersongwriter. CLSG is owned and operated by OWEN who's born and raised in California. Owen brought his years of experience in the U.S. music business to Panama, and quite literally took over.

bace135 - Monkey Vs. Robot, Man Vs. Machine
Monkey Vs. Robot, Man Vs. Machine is the debut album from bace135, the San Francisco, MC and producer who throws himself into the water with a double EP; two EPs worth of ambitious music on one disc. On Monkey Vs. Robot, bace135 takes you on a nostalgic trip by way of memory invoking instrumental pieces. Interesting horn, string, and synth arrangements provide an IDM(ish) sounding soundtrack for the listener’s mental journey. On Man Vs. Machine, bace135 takes to the mic over a series of thick, layered beats and emphatically reveals his thought process.

Carmen Milagro - Not Bad For a Gringa
Not Bad for a Gringa was ordained because the majority of this album, was produced in San Salvador, Central America. When visiting, Carmen Milagro, a San Francisco native, is the "gringa" in the family. The album is a journey, not only a recollection of songs from her childhood but a foray into her future as an internationally recognized artist. Amelia (an original song based on the life story of a neglected & forgotten little girl known to Milagro) is track #5 and was produced by Myron Dove formerly of Santana. In Not Bad for a Gringa, Milagro has combined a variety of influences, original as well as cover songs in a blend of various shades of Latin music to form an eclectic, versatile taste of the old boleros of yesteryear, some modern beats, a slight twist on the Latin pop grooves and a dash of good old-fashioned rock but with a Spanish flair.

John Staedler - A Conscious Alternative
John Staedler has been performing and recording music since he was five. He has studied music at Stanford University and toured internationally. A young veteran of the music industry, John has passed on record label offers, which has helped him create a loyal following of fans for his solo material, well into the thousands. Avant guard in his approach to music, John Staedler moves his solo career full force ahead with the release of his debut album, "A Conscious Alternative". Featuring saxophone, guitar and vocals with a wide array of influence from eastern to western John Staedler creates a completely original and fresh sound that is a conscious alternative to the often times bland and unconscious mainstream.

Sahra Indio - Good’s Gonna Happen
Sahra's debut CD’s title track "Good’s Gonna Happen", (Olumeye Records 2003), received international merit for the positive promise it gives listeners, "good's gonna happen so, don’t give up, good’s gonna come to you my love", and won the "Reggae Song of the Year" award in the Unisong International Song Contest 2004. Sahra’s dynamic club, festival and radio appearances have carried the message of "Truth & Rights" globally, earning her the title "Jah’s Jewel". Most recently, in the US Virgin Islands, fans felt the good vibes of Sahra at the Rastafarian Agricultural Fair on the island of St Thomas.

SonicBloom - From The Get Go
Sonicbloom is the result of five diverse artists coming together to share the same platform. Combining boundary-breaking lyricism,production, live instrumentation, spoken word and complex turntablism, we create a high-energy, funky, and soulful atmosphere. Sonicbloom is a collective of progressive musicians, poets, and artists unified under the medium of sound. With a directed intention at moving minds, bodies and spirits all at once, the potent vibration behind the essence of this group carries through every note played and word spoken. They feel that it is their duty to always break the boundaries of monotony, and truly follow their souls as well as their ears in this journey through the artistry of music..

Table 4 5ive - 2 Hip 2 B Smooth
A Groovealicious, Nujazz, Lounge, Coolout, Chill Vibe, with Jazz House Grooves. Houndog's sax/flute/clarinet melodies are hipnotic and Bluejean's bass playing and grooves set the tone for a cd reminiscent of the 60's/70's electric-cool jazz era. Back again after a long break and gigging to give you a lttle more groove. Table 4 5ive is a funky, soulful jazz group dedicated to creating a new kind of jazz, free of past cliches, full of infectious beats and improvisation, presented in a free flowing (but not too smooth!) format that invites the listener to both chill out and move! The group was conceived by Bluejean, who lays down grooves over which his collaborator, multi-reedist Jeff "Houndog" Schiller plays saxes, flutes and clarinets in various combinations creating melodies, hooks and solo material. The resulting tunes are irresistable!

IDC Presents Our Round 10 "Early Summer" Solicitation 12 titles featuring a host of well known Reggae and Singer/Songwriter, Rock Titles This now brings our current catalog to over 87 available products!

For Immediate Release: April 20th, 2006

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 10th round solicitation just in time for early Summer ! This new solicitation comes on the heals of Round 9, our first all Hip Hop Solictiation. IDC decided to ship this new round only two weeks after our last round landed. This round is quite different then our normal solicitations as the CD sampler is a Double CD featuring one entire CD of Reggae and one of all Singer/Songwriter and Rock titles. Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

Jamison Young - Shifting Sands Of A Blue Car
From the Snowy Mountains to treks in the outback, to beating the streets of Sydney and Melbourne, to a life in Europe, Jamison develops music through the experience. In the studio the songs have found a distinct production edge through the collaborative efforts of Pete Well's, Antonio Dixon & Tim Powles (drummer & producer of band The Church). With elements of techno, bright and jazzy trumpet- Chris Isaac meets Pink Floyd vocals, subtle yet intricate guitar work, and unbelievable rhythms, all in a mixture that comes across smooth yet engaging.  - Long Island Music Scene

Kiss The Girl - Touch
Music to move you and make you move, Kiss the Girl’s music conveys passion, sexuality and mystery. It is a celebration of feeling and being alive, an expression of the extreme highs and lows that we all experience if we have the courage to feel. Kiss the Girl explore the deep, primal passions, desires and behavior that truly drive our lives, those feelings and motivations that lie at the heart of being human. Kiss the Girl is comprised of two San Francisco artists - Robert Szeles (pronounced saylesh) and Jaimeson Durr.

Jeff Rolka - Somewhere in the Fade
Jeff Rolka’s latest CD, Somewhere in the Fade, was recorded in his own personal studio in Alameda, CA during the winter of 2005. He spent six months writing and recording 15 songs, 10 of which are included on the album, with guitarists Max Butler (Chuck Prophet), Rich McCulley (Rich McCulley Band, The Mains), Mike Fiorentino (Viv), bassists Kevin White (Chuck Prophet) and Peter Canton (Megan Slankard, Tremolo) keyboardist Justus Dobrin (Viv) and drummer co-producer Andrew Griffin (Viv).

Peter James - Footnotes to Fairytales
Footnotes to Fairytales is the delightful debut release by British singer-songwriter Peter James. Dramatic, passionate and reflective, the songs stimulate imagery and emotion. It will delight any listener who is willing to brave a journey of heartbreak and capable of understanding its beauty. This is lush, cinematic folk music - thoughtful, subtly complex and intelligently composed. Reaching across genres, Peter James is a part of the rich folk singer-songwriter tradition, which he combines with a popular music sensibility & compositional sophistication.

Sweet Leaf Boys - Songs from the Holy Fool
Since last year’s celebrated 7" single, "Dark Town", San Francisco’s Sweet Leaf Boys have set the stage for their full-length debut, Songs from the Holy Fool. This album features a tongue-in-cheek approach to songwriting that celebrates the lost art of having fun with music without any sacrifices of artistic integrity or masterful playing. Classic Rock n Roll, Pop, Punk, and folksy forms all combine seamlessly in this quick punch of SF bay area "Trash-Can-Pop-Rock".

Vervain - The Weather Inside
The band's second album, The Weather Inside, builds on the dreamy foundation of it’s debut, Vast Low Cities. It pulls back the curtain to showcase Vervein’s exploration of its collaborative process and palette. This album is darker and more direct than its predecessor. Reyes quips, "It’s the equivalent of our The Empire Strikes Back in the Star Wars series." The eleven songs reflect exorcism and escape. Winds whip up. Storms develop and pass. The sun shines... This Album Rocks!

Haji Mike - The Storyman
The StoryMan' was recorded in Nicosia, London, Athens and San Francisco with production by Stand Out Selector, Tony Matthew, CES-ONE & Haji Mike. The CD features guest appearances from Imiskoubria, Mike Cherry, CES-ONE, Rocker T, Greekie Lion, Mike D, Zeki Ali and Cutmaster G. It is Haji Mike’s most accomplished and challenging work to date, expressing a life timeís passion for reggae music, dub poetry, hip hop and dancehall culture. In each song a story unfolds, waiting to be told. Haji Mike is a powerful narrator on life on the planet covering topics as diverse as Greek Wedding mania to the self destruction and mindlessness of war.

Rastrillos - Se Acabo El Reve
This is an album characterized by many nuances of emotion, and fusion with mexican popular music, with the root of reggae mixed with a taste of the jazz, funk, indú and ska traditional, which reflect the growth and maturity of a group that has not strayed from their intention of seeking both within themselves and in the undulating rhythms of reggae music to achieve a form of self-expression that alsocommunicates their positive message to a public that is avid for new sounds.

Kush & The Bloodfiyah Angels - Countdown to The Holy Judgement
Kush and Bloodfiyah Angels provide elemental roots-reggae music that pays homage to a multitude of reggae's historical greats from Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Aswad, and more, yet sets forth an international, multi-lingual originality that has not been seen in reggae music for decades. From the first rehearsal, it became obvious that the singer and players of instruments had found the perfect match they had all been looking for. Since then, they have released a fast selling CD "Countdown To The Holy Judgment" recorded by legendary Jamaican producer Scientist, have been nominated for the San Diego music awards, and have performed throughout the US

Kwanzamo Roots Rockers - Payday
It’s Payday, and I don’t mean the $15 a day one is lucky to make in South Africa. I mean within this musical canvas is pure joy and fyah, the colors those of hope, gratitude and a desire to connect with all the sufferahs worldwide. Notice the absence of bitterness or a victim stance. Here is our opportunity to listen, not only to the vocals or arrangements, but for the Ubuntu Spirit. Ubuntu means "showing power to the people", "Spirit rising".

SoulMedic - Western Cleansing
One of the hottest new artists in Reggae music, blazing tunes of higher inspariation and Rastafari conciousness- Soulmedic gives the people vocal versatility and furthers lyrical skill in the dancehall arena. Songs of upfull insparation rooted firm in truth and rights, Soulmedic's music spans from roots, lovers rock, bashment, rub a dub, to hip hop. Singer, producer, and songwriter, DJ and deejay, Soulmedic displays all talents on his current albums with the help of record label- Jah Kebra Music.

Instigators - Living Gift
The Instigators bring infectious, sing-along vocals and a swaying roots music buoyed by a lively horn section. It's the type of hard-to-resist sound that should appeal to both casual listeners (who will eat up the buoyant gems like "Footprints" and "Clean Air,") and hardened reggae aficionados (who should relish "Bright & Sunny Day" and "Star Shine") alike. "Conscious Time," included on the live album as well, continues to be one of the most gorgeous roots jams of recent years, harkening back to the heyday of Steel Pulse.

7 Hip Hop titles featuring a host of well known artists and some amazing new ones. This now brings our current catalog to over 75 available products!

For Immediate Release: April 7th, 2006

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 9th round solicitation! Seven new titles, including some underground up and coming rappers and artists, as well as some amazing name-brand superstars, which now brings our total list of available products to over 75 items. This new solicitation welcomes a slew of great products that have been gaining support via live shows and various web and radio promotions. The heart of this new offering includes exclusive tracks from MC Lyte, Kurupt, Conscious Daughters, Ladybug from Digable Planets, Bahamadia, B-Legit, San Quinn, and various members of the P-Funk touring family including George’s Granddaughter Sativa Clinton. Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases.

IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

OUTTA NOWHERE ENTERTAINMENT presents
"QUEENDOM VOL. 1" CD - Various Artists
Produced by Outta Nowhere Entertainment, Queendom Vol. 1 is a further realization of the potent and palmary talent that women have endowed upon Hip Hop music and culture. The Queendom project, inspired by Sisterz of the Underground (an all female hip hop collective, established in 2001) has brought together a diverse community of talented females representing Hip Hop. This album poignantly delivers international testimony on the exploits of women in this game. It hits, moves, bounces, and rocks hard with nothing short of profound lyricism riveted over the cleanest tracks. Queendom Vol. 1 features some of the most philosophical female emcees to ever come out of either coast, the Midwest, and abroad.

Blitz - Soul Rebel
The seed of rebellion is slowly taking root. On the frontline stands Blitz (b. Samuel Bazawule). With his first offering "Soul Rebel." Blitz provides the balance that Hip-Hop has been lacking for awhile. Born and raised in Ghana, Blitz's first encounter with Hip-Hop was mind-opening experience. Politically charged, writhed with an agonizing ear for the truth-Public Enemy enthralled the young mind of Blitz, as did the socio-political poetry of KRS-ONE. Fast forward - New York City. Brooklyn to be exact. Placed deeply in the sounds and sights of the music, Blitz honed his skills lyrically as an MC. Sick of the mundane "assembly-line" nature of Hip-Hop, Blitz created his own sound.

COP - Children of Production
Children of Production is an innovative derivative of Parliament/Funkadelic homegrown from the "dna of hip-hop-funk". This musical compound sneakin' out from the labs of Dr. Funkenstein hale from all over the U.S. and from various strong and diverse musical backgrounds. C. O. P. has cultivated a sound that blends many musical genres much like the undiluted fusion of funk. At a C.O.P. show, the audience will experience thru a foundation of hip-hop (always at least a taste of) jazz, blues, rock, gospel, classical, world and funk. C.O.P. can also be found supplying the musical backbone for Divadelick, headed up by Sativa Diva and Kendra Foster, a group with similar dimensions.

INFA RED - Can't Miss
San Francisco hip-hop artist, Infa Red, isn't singing the local artist blues. Instead, he's become a musical genie, doing everything in his power to ensure his unique and magnificent sound is heard. Although blending hip-hop and R&B isn't new to the industry, Infa Red puts a new twist and flavor to it. His fusion of the two genres leaves people feaning for more. This, his debut album, titled aptly Can’t Miss, features exclusive tracks Kurupt and Conscious Daughters.

Mister 3 - Classified Conversations
More important than the day he was born, Mister 3 remembers the first tape he ever bought, "Ice–T's first tape with ‘Six in the morning' and ‘409' ". With Cali in his veins and game in his heart, Mister 3's soul purpose is to make quality music. "I've put everything on hold, and sacrificed a square life to live this dream of making great music". The type of Music people want to hear, want to play, want to rep for their people. His new album, Classified Conversations features exclusive tracks from B-Legit, San Quinn, Andre Nickatina, Cellski and many more guest spots and cameos!

Gilead7 - The Darkroom
Gilead7 has traveled from a rigid boom bap vocalist recording basement tapes to an eclectic, abstract hip-hop wordsmith, crafting refined gems for an audience of musical diversity. His upcoming album, "The Darkroom: The Abandonment of Christendom," is the cynical view of a Christian turned skeptic; the picture of a man of faith leaping head first into a sea filled with beliefs he would have once ran from. He compares this bleak existence to a photographic darkroom, where his life "develops" into an anomaly while he experiences situations that were once foreign to him during his time of faith. He forces his ideas over standard hip-hop breaks to experimental and drum and bass instrumentals, backings well-suited to his excellent command of bleak, uncanny concepts.

Unified School District - Take Warning (8 Track CD/ EP)
Oakland's best kept secret since Too $hort, Unified School District continue to make noise with this 8 song follow up to their debut "Think Hard" 12" (which dropped earlier this year and featured Declaime). U.S.D. once again come correct with this limited edition EP to show the world they are here to stay. Ecto's thick, sample-heavy sound and robust drums stretch out a colorful canvas for Super Ugly to paint.

7 titles featuring Electronic, Dub, Reggae, Rock, Hip Hop, Ambient, Singer/Songwriter and so much more. This now brings our current catalog to over 67 available products!

For Immediate Release: February 3rd, 2005

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 8th round solicitation! Seven new titles, spanning a half dozen different genres, bringing our total list of available products to over 67 items.This new solicitation welcomes a handful of new labels and artists as well as some fine catalog and new releases from some well known IDC mainstays. The vibe of this new offering includes a Singer/Songwriter album recorded in the subways of New York City, a Reggae / Punk group from Seattle and Turkish Cypriots doing some rock influenced dark electronica. This solictation also features a brand new 12" Remix EP from Version featuring reggae legend Mikey Dread on two brand new tracks.

IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

Citizen One - Subway Fire
"Subway Fire" is a true story, organic in nature and proof that music doesn’t have to be about the biz or a ‘scene’ to gain wide acceptance. "Subway Fire" was originally intended for sale only in the subway, but the demand has been steadily catching on as well above ground. With more than 2000 copies of "Subway Fire" sold since its first printing, and CD sales growing daily, the world is discovering New York’s deepest underground musician, Citizen One.

Nuffsed - Ignite The Fuse
NUFFSED, a seven-piece rock/reggae/dancehall band from Seattle, WA has released its second album aptly titled "Ignite The Fuse". They have been supported by an impressive underground following, many of whom are not necessarily reggae-heads or rastas, but college kids, punks, skaters, etc. This is not to say that they are not a valid reggae/dancehall group. Their legitimacy and legacy was secured by the reggae community when, in the summer of 2005, they accepted an invitation to play the main stage at the now legendary "Reggae on the River", alongside the Marley Brothers, Buju Banton, and so many more.

Alexis Harte - Sunlight Loping
Alexis Harte's music renders a map that drops us straight into his head. We meet steel doors that open to fields crawling with life. We find parts of ourselves mixed in with his words. But just when there's a sense of familiarity, Harte takes us around the corner and it's a whole new scene. Sunlight Loping has diverse cast of characters but it features the Kottke-esque finger-picking of Harte's acoustic guitar. His vocals move like smoke through the songs, wrapping organically around the other instruments. Each track is inextricably linked to the others by a strong narrative that runs throughout the album, and by Harte's unconventional arrangements.

Deep - Super Illusions
The DJing and Rock backgrounds of Ates Kozal and Mustafa Göze are strongly reflected in "Super Illusions". With it’s aggressive guitar sounds, blues solos, scratches and crunchy drum patterns, created using acoustic instruments, Synthesized sounds and vocal sampling subjected to reversing, looping and filtering amongst other effects, Deep have created an album which expresses the personal angers, frustrations and melancholic moods of its members, through a fusion of two very different music genres resulting in a new and unique sound in their home studio in Cyprus between 2002-2005. Deep worked with Ynanç Erßen on "A New Thing", Ali Akçayly and S. Tintenfisch on "Existence"

Nicholos Newman - Nicholos Newman Project
Vocalist, pianist, composer and producer, Nicholas Newman has been a professional musician since the age of 3, when he began to sing with his mother in nightclubs. Born in Greece, Nick spent his childhood in Florida and North Carolina before moving to New York to attend the Juilliard School of Music during his teenage years. He has sung lead on tour with The Wailers and has performed for over 50,000 people in international venues from Reggae on the River to Caledonia, French Polynesia. Nick has produced many artists and is also a studio musician. Nick performs studio work, as well. Now 30, Nick has completed his first solo album, The Nicholas Newman Project.

Sheb Schwae - We Go Deal (With The System) 2
Growing up in Detroit exposed Sheb Schwae to the many great artists in the Motown stable and also helped to refine his style as a singer. Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, David Ruffin, Stevie Wonder and Eddie Kendrick's were his favorites. The appreciation for other musical styles became apparent through funk, pop, rock, jazz, fusion and rap. Music from the middle east and Africa were picked up as a result of his travels to those regions as a child and adult. The most important influence that helped to develop his craft in producing reggae music was seeing Bob Marley and the Wailers perform.

Version - Gardens of Utopia - 12" EP feat. Mikey Dread & Remixes Galore!
VERSION are best described as a grass-roots collective of progressive musicians and engineers, blending herbal rhythms, atmospheric environments and definitive soul. Their original pieces showcase versatility, depth and definition of an emergence in sound, simply labeled Electro-Reggae-Blues. Their compositions incorporate a myriad of genres ranging from Break-Beat to Reggae and Dub, Drum-N-Bass, Ambient, Nu-Skool Breaks and the realm of Rock-N-Roll and Blues... 

IDC Presents Our Round 7 "Fall" Solicitation

8 titles featuring Electronic, Dub, Reggae, Rock, Instrumental, Ambient, Singer/Songwriter and so much more. This now brings our current catalog to over 60 available products!

Independent Distribution Collective presents it's 7th round solicitation! Eight new titles, spanning a half dozen different genres, marking our one year anniversery and bringing our total list of available products to over 60 items.

This new solicitation welcomes a handful of new labels and artists as well as some fine catalog and new releases from some well known IDC mainstays. The vibe of this new offering includes a group of female fronted groups who's music spans Rock to World, Electronica to pure Singer/Songwriter. It also includes a full length album from Seattle's "all-star" producer Jack Endino on the Wondertaker Records label. Other titles include albums from Long Beach's Chapter 11 and New York's Project Skyward.

Check out the overview of these new titles below, and feel free to visit our website anytime for more information on any of these artists or releases. IDC proudly welcomes these titles:

Chapter 11 - Live and Direct
Chapter 11 is a Live Hip Hop and Reggae group from the "easy living" environment that surrounds Long Beach, CA. This ensemble features live instrumentation & a high energy live show. This CD consists of over 15 hard hitting tracks and features such artists as Tim Wu of Sublime/L.B.D.A.S. on Sax/Flute (7 songs) and Aaron Owens of Hepcat on Guitar (4 songs). Chapter 11 appears on the "REGGAE NATION 2004" DVD. This features other artists such as Sean Paul, Mr. Vegas, Eek-A-Mouse, & Tippa Irie. Their music has also been played on the FUEL channel which is broadcasted in over 5 million homes worldwide.

Karney - All Connected
Karney follows up a well-received debut full-length release and two singles with the harvest from the fruit of her labors this past summer in the studio - 'All Connected'. Karney maintains her tradition of not shying away from harsh politic truths but doing so with humility, humor...and the accompaniment of stellar sonic creations on the instrumental portion of her original compositions. The lyrics while being content driven also evoke humor and humility. If you love sex, politics and a big indie rock sound, you will love the CD.

Jack Endino - Permanent Fatal Error
A new sledgehammer rock record from Seattle's legendary musician/producer Jack Endino, in which he re-emerges from a long silence to show the young-uns how it is done. Some biting lyrics, but no profanity, as his obscene guitar playing is sufficient to get the message across. We don't know what else to call it but Loud Rock. If you ever liked any of the great rock records from Seattle, this stands with the best of them... and for good reason: Jack himself helped make most of those records... perhaps you own Bleach by Nirvana?

Version - Gardens of Utopia
Version are best described as a grass-roots collective of progressive musicians and engineers, blending herbal rhythms, atmospheric environments and definitive soul. Their original pieces showcase versatility, depth and definition of an emergence in sound, simply labeled Electro-Reggae-Blues. Their compositions incorporate a myriad of genres ranging from Break-Beat to Reggae and Dub, Drum-N-Bass, Ambient, Nu-Skool Breaks and the realm of Rock-N-Roll and Blues.

Project Skyward - Strange Synchronicities
Project Skywards' music is a fusion between space-rock and electronica. Electronic sounds are blended with the emotion and energy that can only come from live instruments. Sweeping layers of atmospheric guitar, are combined with techy loops and breakbeats. Project Skyward have a strong vision for their sound, they hope to step beyond existing genres by blending sounds and structures from different styles, into a unique and recognizable sound.

Amee Chapman - Still Life
Attracted to the aliveness of vinyl and analog, Amee chose to record her 3rd release, Still Life, which was released late October 2004, with producer and engineer Desmond Shea (Tom Waits, Court and Spark, Virgil Shaw) of San Francisco. Collaborating with co-writer Nichole Robbins, the album is a collection of stories, of people met and conversations overheard, of melancholy and tenderness. The album features backing vocals by Jolie Holland and is supported by the San Francisco All Star band of John Hofer (Mother Hips, Persephonees Bees), Marc Capelle (American Music Club, Virgil Shaw), Rob Douglas (Chuck Prophet), Tony Mattioli (Stolen Bibles) and Jeffrey Luck Lucas (Galveston).

Joselyn and the Wild Roots - Shapeshifting
Joselyn's debut full-length release, "ShapeShifing", released on Calabash Productions, and produced by Kevin T. Williams (Dave Wakeling, Soulsonics), is the culmination of many years of inspiration, heartbreak and triumph. ÊIt is brought to life by the chemistry of the musicians in wild roots, including Viviana Rama on bass (Alana Davis), Alan Lightner on drums (Ledisi), Marti Walker on flute & harmonies (X-Tribe), Al Keith on percussion (Michael Rose). The album also features special guests Leon Mobley on percussion (Ben Harper), Don Barrozo on trumpet, Todd Leiberman on guitar, and Tedashi Namba on keyboards. Their "organic soul" is infused with funk, blues, folk, spoken word and world rhythms.

The Drivers - Beloved
Beloved, the breakthrough debut from The Drivers, is the result of a 4-year writing and producing collaboration between the groups’ key members, May and John Driver. Touting vocal influences as diverse as Patsy Cline, Sinead O'Connor, and Beth Gibbons, May's powerful, emotive voice etches her deeply personal and enigmatic lyrics into the heart of the listener from the first verse to the last outro. Accompanied by her husband, John, who's deep drum-and-bass beats, ambient synths, and U2-esque guitar playing compose the musical foundation of this transcendental diary, May presents the listener with 14 tracks of love, self doubt, adversity, rapture, and actualization which hook you in, hold you and keep you.

IDC Presents Our Round 6 "Summer" Solicitation 9 titles featuring Electronic, Dub, Instrumental, Ambient, Singer/Songwriter and so much more, bringing our current catalog to 53 available products!

For Immediate Release: June 21st, 2005

Hot on the heels of our "Extreme" solicitation, Independent Distribution Collective is proud to announce our next round of available titles for the Summer of 2005. This round features a host of interesting products which all blend together musically and in some ways spiritually. This offering includes new labels and artists who are touring extensively this summer, and is aimed at a traditional retail audience as well as some non-traditional retail sales points as well.

This solicitation marks our 9th month in business and now sees our ranks swell to over 50 available titles. It is quite different in some ways than many of our past rounds as it heavily features a half dozen Female vocalists, which our catalog had seemed to be lacking up until now. It also features 2 interesting compilations, one Reggae and one Dub... Both are great showcases of some amazing talent. Read on for more details on all of this current round's releases:

Anagram - Songs From Far Away
This low-fi alternative pop act featuring the duo of Jessica Congdon and Eric Holland has touches of Mazzy Star and Elastica in their music. There are traces of Joy Division in their rhythms, but camouflaged by very melodic, up-beat melodies that stay with you well after the songs end. Congdon has experience writing music for films and this debut shows off her dramatic vocal inflections and her moody imagery. Nicely produced, this album also feels like Death Cab for Cutie, but with more electronics and a female vocalist.

Various Artists - Talisman
Another chilled compilation is out on Interchill Records in Canada! This time we get a lot of dub... Interchill releases are always worth checking out. This Canadian chill out label has gotten pretty good reputation by the years. They usually have a theme in their compilations. We have for example been through floating ambient in Floatation (Interchill 2001) and more earthy lounge chill in their last compilation called Earth Octave Lounge (Interchill 2002). Now they are out with their fifteenth release called Talisman. In the cover art you can read about what a Talisman is, and the musical theme this time is dub.

Kaya Project - Walking Through
"Walking Through", KAYA PROJECT's debut CD, is a downtempo fusion of cutting-edge beats, organic electronica and diverse sounds and vocals from Hawaii, India, the Middle East and Europe. Self-taught on the guitar, flute and cello, at age 16 Seb heard the album " Songs From the Victorious City" , a collaboration between ANNE DUDLEY and JAZ COLEMAN (KILLING JOKE), and became fascinated with the fusion of Middle Eastern music and Western production. Since his first electronic music release in 1995, Seb has recorded under many different names in many different styles. In 1997 he signed his first record deal with Big Life/Dragonfly Records and the success of his recordings with the groups SHAKTA and DIGITALIS led to Seb performing around the world on a regular basis, which gave him the opportunity to absorb different musical cultures.

Shelley Doty X-Tet - Over The Line
Labeled "a future legend" by one reviewer and a "guitar goddess" by another, Shelley Doty is considered one the best independent performers in the business. Watching her perform is awe-inspiring due to her masterful guitar licks, soulful voice and charismatic stage presence. As a songwriter, she creates articulate songs for today by sprinkling them with respect for the music of her youth (rock, R&B, jazz, funk). Shelley sings with passion and plays with an authentic raw energy that cuts through the air with jubilant imagination and freshness. Her brand new CD "Over The Line" is now out and available... Check it out!

Matt Vrba - Everywhere in Between
Matt Vrba's debut album "Everywhere In Between" (independently released in June of 2004) is an extroverted and melodically undeniable look into love, life, family and humankind and represents the finest cross-section of the 200 plus songs Matt has written. Many of the songs on the album were written during, or inspired by his epic 7-month walk across America, and they truly illuminate the vision and simple brilliance of this old soul who is sure to be a fixture in the music world for a long time.

Aphrodesia - Front Lines
Aphrodesia An 11-piece Afrobeat orchestra direct from San Francisco, Aphrodesia has been filling theaters around the country with their rowdy blend of African rhythms, exotic melodies, slamming percussion and monstrous horns. At once socially charged in the tradition of African greats like Fela Kuti and as intoxicating as a drop of honey on your lover's trembling backside, Aphrodesia's music and stage show are irresistible.

NYC Reggae Collective (Various Artists) - AlieNation
The CD is composed mostly of original songs by Louie Fleck that deal loosely and directly with the idea of alienation in the psychological sense and also with some science fiction ramifications! Of course, the music is heavily Reggae influenced, but it crosses over many stylistic boundaries and operates on several levels. Just like New York, there are numerous surprises lurking in every corner of this CD, but you have to hear it to understand!

ShitouttaLuck - You Know You Like It
ShitOuttaLuck (S.O.L.) came to be through friendships forged and hardships overcome at the beautiful campus of California State University, Hayward. S.O.L. plays a mixture of genres: Rock, Latin, Punk, Jazz, with a strong Ska underpinning. ShitOuttaLuck plays regularly to a strong following throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area. "You Know You Like It" is this group's debut CD... For fans of Female fronted Ska bands... Get this CD Now!

The Ebb and Flow - Time To Echolocate
Though retrofit and stabilized on the surface, San Francisco churns and shifts on rivers of lava underneath. The Ebb & Flow bring the tense balance of these tectonic shifts to the surface through an aural montage that unites kraut-rock, 70's progressive, soul, post-rock, jazz and synth-pop. They channel the sounds of the future through the organic, analog instruments of the past. If Sun Ra, Wendy Carlos, Nico, Neil Young, & Faust had one musical offspring, it would be called The Ebb & Flow.

For Immediate Release: May 6th, 2005

IDC's First "Extreme" Music Solicitation, Round 5 hits the streets!

IDC has expanded again and not only in sales and retail outlets but in quality music as well! Representing a big growing shift Independent Music Collective is proud to present our fifth round music solicitation. Aimed squarely at the non-traditional retail stores specializing in youth culture, those hotbeds of grassroots movement and the place where pop culture is born. IDC announces yet another music expansion: this in addition to the high quality music you've come to expect from the soul of independent music distribution. With this new release IDC slams straight into the heart of the independent rock scene and the hearts and minds of the fans that make this music relevant, alive and kicking. Some punk, some hardcore, true rock and roll all, IDC does it with style. Of course, there are some names here you should know but there's also that indie music Holy Grail: those new and previously unknown names bringing up the hurtling juggernaut of the sound that keeps our distribution offerings at the forefront, that represents IDC as the most consistently powerful and captivating musical expression around. IDC has that sound! Check out this round's titles below:

Death, Rattle & Roll - Compilation
WONDERTAKER RECORDS is a dumpster-diving Northern California (pronounce it like Arnold!) indie hardcore label showcasing Rob and Sluggo's (the founders) favorite face-melting sounds. Crank this sucker up and mow people down with charged-up prime listening rock of the highest order. Ride through potent riffs, metallic solos, gritty lyrics and solid songwriting. This 30 cut CD is jam-packed with volatile bands like THE HYDROMATICS, THE NITWITZ AND THE GRANNIES. Guaranteed to open with both barrels.

The Grannies - Erected Ladyman
THE GRANNIES CD "Erected Ladyman" kicks ass from start to finish, a hot-on-the-burner tile-blaster of belligerent, raucous and downright scary raw punk energy. Somewhere between the Mono Men, KISS-meets-The-Simpsons-Retirement-Castle and the Makers, THE GRANNIES are titans of killer punk rock guitar, a jet engine roar of fire-starting brutality. What could make it better? Old lady outfits! Heavily checked for by such diverse punk throwrags, zines and websites as: Razorcake, Blender, Backfire, Toxic Flyer, Trashcompactor and Sleazegrinder

Motorhome - Black Lung
Mixed and mastered by Seattle grunge legend Jack Endino (think Nirvana's "Bleach") MOTORHOME is brazen kick ass boogie, raw and dirty with whiskey-n-cigs vocals, blazing leads and bulldozer drumming. Does it rock? Goddamn, does it ever! An ass blast of redneck riff-metal mixed with suicide-boogie speed-rockin', MOTORHOME is cranking slabs of trailer-park thunder from the top of busy skate ramps and selling out the clubs.

Soul Brains - A Bad Brains Reunion
The legendary punk / reggae band, BAD BRAINS reunites in this incendiary mixture of raging hardcore punk, deftly thudding metal and heartfelt, liquid reggae, bristling with spiritual fervor. A band to be held in awe adding their tumultuous, internal volatility and expressing it through galloping thrashers; BAD BRAINS' tremendous influence is clearly experienced on this explosive live CD, a must-have for anyone into the one band that started an unholy alliance between punk, hardcore, rock and reggae

Flut - Puppy 4 Life
FLUT is a distortion laced & bottom-heavy simplicity (think the Breeders or Jawbreaker) of story-telling nursery rhymes for the psychotic. Antagonistic and absolutely wonderful, the San Francisco-based three-piece comes with a brute honesty and little room for manners. Genre and gender bending, FLUT is a punk folk jazz beauty. A sparse noir powerhouse that is, in fact, all that.

Griddle - Turning Violet
A startling discovery, the hard-working, touring GRIDDLE melds garage punk, rock 'n' roll, and even prog into one giddy rush, (think: Ramones, Flaming Lips, Minutemen, Van Der Graff Generator). A fabulous modern musical evolution, GRIDDLE effortlessly joins all these elements, even introducing pop and glamrock between the bedsheets and getting it steamy. Imagine their music as a superfine noise-pop soundtrack to "Hedwig and the Angry Inch pt. 2: The German Impressionist Years."

Cuatro Caminos - el bong de titaneo
Self-described "mariachi dub outer space band" CUATRO CAMINOS is an accidental fabulosity of three disparate musicians whose end result has already resulted in their inclusion into a movie soundtrack and uncountable, spontaneous college radio airplays. All over the musical map like Parliament Funkadelic 70's soul and Latin jazz with Hawaiian reggae, cowboy ballads, and great everywhere you land, this music bounces better than Cake and sweeter than Flaming Lips. Mexican relatives of Nick Cave and Jon Spencer, a Latin invasion mixed with an alien invasion, with summathat Southwestern seasoning melded with the Zappa-esque nuances CUATRO CAMINOS is damn great music. When Beck gets good again, he might just sound like this.

INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTION COLLECTIVE AND THE BIG MOVE!!

ROUND 4 SOLICITATION ADDS 12 MORE TITLES TO THE CATALOG...

For Immediate Release - February 23rd, 2005

Independent Distribution Collective makes the move to new digs in San Francisco! Hot on the heels of a very busy end of year 2004, IDC has a new address two floors above the popular SF nightspot Red Devil Lounge. IDC grabbed an opportunity too good to pass up and we're readier than ever to sell the best music by independents, at a more attractive price point to retail as well as our standard operating procedure of providing a more equitable deal for our artists and labels. This, our fourth solicitation, and the first of 2005, swells our ranks to 36 releases. IDC is partnering up with an ever-expanding database of music stores, skate shops, head shops and many other non-traditional retail sales points. In other noteworthy news IDC is very proud to announce that we now distribute 2B1 Multimedia's vast catalog of CD's, DVDs and other products. 2B1 Multimedia boasts a very large collection of rare live material and an extremely collectible archive of live video releases. This round's titles include:

Lee Scratch Perry - Live At Maritime Hall
The premier avant-reggae producer and purveyor of interplanetary dance music to the world, Lee Scratch Perry is widely regarded as a Grand Master of reggae production. It's hard to underestimate the genius and experimentation; with his funky, edgy, bass-laden style, he is a true father of reggae music. This seminal live release, working with the Mad Professor and the Robotiks Band, is the timeless recording of his first live performance in the United States after 17 years. An essential release.

King Tubby - Dub Conference
Synonymous with dub, King Tubby worked with virtually every artist in Jamaica, his name on a remix was gold, a seal of quality never questioned. He's credited with the earliest examples of song style now known as the "remix"; the total reinvention of a song. Though he died in 1989, his renown has only grown with new material becoming available. This is one of those rare opportunities to hear a new instant classic by the inventor of the genre.

Horace Andy - Best of Horace Andy
Reggae legend Horace Andy's highly distinctive and unusual voice mark him as a true reggae soul singer, and decades of classics show he could do no wrong, releasing a deluge of classic records of superb rock steady/early reggae, lovers rock, and dancehall styles. Able to step into modern times with the now-famous collaboration with the dubby trip hop of Massive Attack as well as works with the Mad Professor, Horace Andy is a time-traveler through decades of beautiful reggae song. This compilation of difficult to find early hits features some big classic riddims as well as never released tracks.

Anthony B - Judgement Time
His coming a perfect example of the Jamaican prophet as sing-jay, Anthony B is often compared to Peter Tosh. This young performer's razor sharp lyrics and entrancing performances in a modern dancehall/roots hybrid, combined with a forthright lyrical stance make him one of the most electrifying performers in reggae. Anthony B has been called the "present embodiment of reggae's provocative militancy" and on this high power release, his combustibility shines.

The Aggrolites - Dirty Reggae
This is the old-school, gritty reggae sound, harking back to the birth of ska and rock steady; this fresh Los Angeles band has lit up the scene to a thousand megawatt monster. This album employs a mid-fi recording approach that fits perfectly with this musical genre. Aggrolites take their explosive live show to Europe for an early spring '05 tour. Check this band, it's the classic sound updated to right now.

Danny Brant Band - Change At Jamaica
Combining blues, soul, funk and rock, in a signature style refreshingly original while eerily reminiscent of legendary guitarists Duane Allman and early Eric Clapton, Danny Brant brings his experience of working with members of the Jerry Garcia Band, Little Feat and Leftover Salmon and folds it all into a big sexy brew of captivating grooves.

Natty Remo - Babylon Fall
Springing on the scene as a top dancehall DJ in the New York area, Jamaican born "Captain" Natty Remo is an electrifying performer. His strength, character and conviction are seen and heard in his performances, his lyrics on-point, consistent and relentless. Featuring the pure north-side-of-the-island, roughneck Jamaican style and riding the solid riddim through dynamic live performances he's winning over crowds around the world with the real rub-a-dub reggae. This full-length album puts you right there.

Artemis - Gravity
This is lush symphonic trip-hop, rich with international, Da Vinci-inspired themes. All this, with Artemis’s husky, heavenly alto give a glimpse into the sounds of a new musical millennium of organic electronica. From sparse and sparkling to richly cinematic, this full-length CD has been dubbed a "world-class creation."

Garrin Benfield - Where Joy Kills Sorrow
Selected by Jambase, as one of the "Must See" new and upcoming singer/songwriter bands for 2005 this music balances song craft, melodic innovation, and a radio friendly aesthetic. Lush acoustic balladry, ambitious guitar excursions, and direct, thought- provoking lyrics combined with a relentless touring schedule have made At once organic and eclectic, concise and electric to an aggressive and punky throttle this album is a sure delight.

Various Artists - Wartimes 
The time has come for the community of hip hop artists to respond, to check for the injustice against an unjustified war. Wartimes is a powerful call to action from women and men of the hip hop nation. Track after dope track, song after haunting song this urgent compilation fires the spirit. With cuts from Company of Prophets, Red Guard and Meilodik, and many others, and hosted by political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal as well as excerpts of Hard Knock Radio interviews from anti-war activists we show proof and speak truth to and for the people who haven't stopped organizing and keeping people informed.

Various Artists - Shame The Devil
Subtitled: "Hip-Hop Tells The Truth About The Prison Industrial Complex", Freedom Fighter Music's full-length release "Shame The Devil" is a passionate forum for some of the hottest lyricists and producers in the San Francisco/Bay Area to come together to tell the truth about the for-profit "justice" system keeping our brothers and sisters in cages. With eleven songs and a slew of interviews with some of the top organizers in the fight this CD features exclusive material from such renowned artists as Zion I, Prophets of Rage and Company of Prophets, Shame The Devil also unveils the best new talent, including The Red Guard and Unsung.

Various Artists - Four The Hardway
This must-have compilation delivers a message of fire and passion. Capleton, Luciano, Anthony B and Sizzla show their true lyrical prowess while preaching the righteousness of the Rastafarian religion and a positive change for life. They are the messengers of the new millennium, a deeply spiritual group of performers using their voices as instruments of change as they journey through the full spectrum of feeling. This album is extraordinary in urgency and intensity.

For Immediate Release: December 1st, 2004

IDC signs 8 more titles to its catalog, and ships it's third Solicitation in 3 Months!

Independent Distribution Collective is proud to announce our 3rd solicitation in only 3 months of operation. This "third" round offers retailers another great set of music with some well known releases, as well as some new and fresh products. The "Winter" solicitation will ship to stores in about a week and should put much of this product on shelves before the holiday. This next round will be IDC's last solicitation before the end of 2004. This brings IDC's total number of projects represented to 24 total with over 150 stores in our active database.

Here is a brief list of our new titles with some basic descriptions.  There will
be a page for each of these releases, with links to a few Mp3 samples from each  title on the in about a weeks time.

Round 3 Descriptions:

Lustre Kings - "Culture Dem"
Conscious Dancehall Reggae from Jamaica with artists like Lutan Fyah, Yami Bolo, Norris Man, Jah Mason, Sizzla, Capleton, and Anthony B. 18 Tracks fresh from Jamaica recorded in 2002, Released in 2003, these tracks are regarded as some of the most positive and uplifting tracks from many of these artists to date. Many people think all Dancehall Reggae is slack...  This album proves them wrong!

Upright Dub Orchestra - "Dubrite"
10 songs from Portland, Oregon's "new
dub" masters. Drawing on vibes from the great dub masters King Tubby and Mad Professor, this 10 member live group explores dub in this 2004 release. This group sells out any venue it plays in Oregon, and will tour constantly in 2005. Many write-ups and reviews call UDO the best dub band in America.

Digital Ancient - "One on One"
This grassroots, conscious hip hop album models itself after new releases from artists like Spearhead and Common. Brooklyn based and world friendly, this album is a treat from start to finish.  MC Moon writes and produces, as well as performs on almost every track of this 2001 release.

Cyprus Thing - "Various Artists" 
Double CD -  Released in 2004, this album is the first of it's kind in over 30 years. It features 24 tracks from 15 worldwide artists (most are Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) who are unnaturally divided in their homeland of Cyprus. This album is broken down into two genres, World and Hip Hop, and is also the first double CD ever to be released in Cyprus.  This album has already received play on 50 stations across Europe including BBC Radio 1 and Voice of America.

Rocker-T  - "Hold On Strong"
Releasing on November 30th, 2004, just in time for the holidays, this album has already pre-sold hundreds of copies. With 12 new tracks from Brooklyn's conscious pen, this new album finds Rocker more militant than on "If Yu Luv Luv, Show Ya Luv" or "More Luv". A dancehall album at heart, but with nice hybrid hip hop and roots reggae riddims, this album does not disappoint the "rastas" or the "b-boys".

Jus-Goodie - "Freedom Song" 
Also releasing on November 30th, 2004, this
Colorado "Singjay" debuts with a 13 song set that features Roots Reggae and Uptempo Dancehall tracks. Goodie has been performing for years in his home market, but in 2004 toured 15 states and was the "hidden" gem of the tour. His music is upful and conscious, and should be making waves on the national Reggae circuit in 2005.

Balddread and the Raggamuffin Crew - "Inna Dancehall"
Lead singer Mustapha Craig gained notoriety in the San Francisco Bay Area in early 2000 by performing with, and chatting for dozens of local and national Reggae Artists. In 2003, he got together a great group of musicians and played almost 120 shows in the Bay Area that year. In 2004, he enlisted the help of world famous producer and mixer Scientist to record the group and with his help they have now released their debut album. This album has already charted in 30 "reggae" markets in the US and in Jamaica. A "Dub" companion album will be released early in 2005.

For Immediate Release:

October 20th, 2004

Independent Distribution Collective Announces Second Solicitation

After only 5 short weeks of operation, IDC has secured 7 new labels to join our brand new Oakland, California independent music collective.

With our 9 current labels enjoying exposure in over 30 major markets on the West Coast, and dozens of stores across the entire US, these new labels are set to open up new retail sales points just in time for the 2004 holiday season. Many of these releases are new, or have been released within the past year or so, and now with the help of IDC, coupled with each label’s own resources, these artists and labels should realize new revenue streams within their first few months of association with IDC.

Within the next two weeks, our website will feature a page for every new label or artist. These pages will have a full album "one sheets", a link to music samples and e-commerce features that will allow buyers to purchase wholesale with just one-click ordering via the web. We will also send out 30 full packages of the entire solicitation to all of our most valued accounts. Other promotions for this solicitation will include: a grassroots promotional push in and around the San Francisco / Oakland / San Jose / Santa Cruz area. This promotion also includes select advertising as well as promotional flyers that will be distributed across the entire US via our current label partners and which will also feature all of our "Winter" solicitation labels as well.

Finally, each label will have two tracks featured on our "Fall" Catalog Sampler CD, which will be distributed to a ton of store buyers, press, and radio DJs.

Please check out our "Fall Solicitation" which includes the following artists and titles:

• Prozack "Death, Taxes, and Prozack"
• Adrian Xavier "R-Nature"
• CoopDVille "Unknown Tracks"
• Piano B. "Outernational Attack"
• Red-I "Unidad"
• Cas Lucas "Giving It Back"
• KarmaSutra "KarmaSutra"

Other titles IDC is currently stocking are new releases from Owen Maigret's (world famous visual artist) Conquering Lion Soundz and First Class Noiz imprints. Owen has been a huge supporter of IDC and Positive Sound Massive Recordings over the past few years. These new releases include a new 12" EP from Rocker-T on Conquering Lion Soundz/PSM (available only through IDC) featuring 4 hard to find Rocker tracks (two of which feature Jamalski) plus a brand new tune called "Sensi in de Club" available here for the first time anywhere. Also available from IDC is the debut single from San Francisco MC El Rock. This 12" called "It’s My Life" features guest vocalists like L’Roneous & Gennessi. Look for more "new releases" from both of these two labels in the near future!

IDC will ship our "fall" solicitation on October 31^th, 2004. For more info about purchasing our titles or submitting your product to IDC for distribution solicitation please contact us via e-mail or @ 510 832-0100. For IDC media relations please contact Erwin Karl at Promotional Rescue @ 206 355-1600.

This is our first press release

For Immediate Release:

September 15, 2004

Independent Distribution Collective is Born

A fresh, new concept in independent music distribution is set to revolutionize the current form of bringing physical products to market, and in turn, to unite hundreds of independent labels and artists worldwide.

Independent Distribution Collective was conceived from the idea that independent record labels and artists have almost always struggled with one major aspect of operation, distribution. Thousands of releases go unnoticed every year as many great projects never even make it into stores, never mind having sales to offset the cost of manufacturing. The time has come for the "underdogs" to approach distribution equal to the other aspects in the process of making albums. It is also clear that many independent labels and artists working together creates a "strength in numbers" perspective that makes Independent Distribution Collective a sales and marketing force, rather than just another one stop.

Nine labels currently make up IDC. All of them are totally different genres, with different fanbases and marketing strategies. Each one has a strong knowledge of its home market, in places like the San Francisco "Bay Area", Miami, and even in Cyprus. The main theme that unites these labels is the belief that they could be selling more records if they could participate in the distribution process. All of the labels realize that working together, sharing focus and energy, that each one's sales will increase and create a stronger distribution partner down the road. As each will have a new-found revenue stream, it is IDC's intention that each label can continue to release new projects, thereby feeding the collective's constant need for new product.

IDC opened our doors September 15th, 2004, at our new office/warehouse in Oakland, California. Events to promote the opening include a full scale web launch of independentdistro.com, the collective's website which focuses primarily on wholesale distribution, release and label information, as well as the product submission process. Other events included the IDC "Pressing Flesh" tour from Seattle to San Diego, September 6th through the 14th, covering 3 states, and close to 30 cities in a complete west coast grassroots marketing promotion.

  
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