New York, NY (TOP40 Charts/ LA Ritmo) -- IODA, the global leader in digital distribution, marketing, and technology solutions for the independent music industry, today announced partnerships with Colombian legend CODISCOS, Mexican pioneer Discos Coras�n, which was founded to document and preserve traditional music from Mexico, Africa, and the Caribbean, and Istanbul-based Doublemoon, the global leader in world fusion. The announcement was made today at the annual WOMEX conference in Copenhagen.
"With the addition of CODISCOS to our roster of Colombian music, IODA now represents 90% of the growing independent Colombian market. Discos Coras�n takes us deeper into the market for traditional and folkloric music coming out of Mexico -- an untapped and exciting series of artists that have global appeal. And Doublemoon allows us to represent the heart of cross-collaborative World music that regularly soars to the top of the charts," commented VP of Client Strategy Erik Gilbert. "These labels are champions of culture that have managed to achieve global success on a commercial level. We are thrilled with the extraordinary music they add to our catalog and their exciting global potential."
Leaders in their respective fields, IODA and its new label partners will participate at WOMEX in several capacities:
* IODA's VP of Client Strategy Erik Gilbert will speak on the panel "Digital Africa: Empowering Artists and Producers" on Friday, October 30 from 12 - 12:45 pm
* CODISCOS' VP of International A&R and Marketing Dennis Murcia, will lead mentoring sessions on marketing and strategy on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30 from 11:30 - 1 pm
* Doublemoon's Label Founder and Partner at Pozitif Productions Ahmet Ulu. will speak on the panel "Do's, Don'ts and Truths of Digital Distribution and Social Media" on Saturday from 12 - 1 pm
* Doublemoon's Baba Zula -- Turkish psychedelic music masters -- will have a showcase at WOMEX this year on October 30th at 1:00 pm at Foyer Stage 2, promoting their 7th album "Gecekondu" -- the group's psychedelically wildest release
One of the most renowned world music labels in the world, Doublemoon is based in Istanbul, Turkey and is synonymous with world fusion, bringing together jazz & world, acoustic & electronic, and occidental & oriental music. Landing among the top 10 record labels in the world by World Music Charts, the international music community has recognized Doublemoon as one of the most important independent record labels in the world. Over the past 12 years, Doublemoon has nurtured a roster of promising talent into internationally recognized artists. Ranging from Sufi-electronica to groove alla turca, from jazz to gypsy funk, from oriental hip hop to Anatolian blues, all Doublemoon Records feature cross-cultural collaborations including:
* Sufi-electronic Mercan Dede with Susheela Raman, Dhafer Youssef, and Hugh Marsh;
* Resident rhythm-meister Burhan Ocal with Jamaledeen Tacuma & Natacha Atlas;
* Chill-out clarinetist Husnu Senlendirici with Laco Tayfa;
* Turkish-Greek Buzuki Orhan Osman -- French-Tunisian Smadj, and
* Nu-jazz pioneer Ilhan Er.ahin with Norah Jones.
"The future of the music business lies in the growth of digital. Therefore our strong partnership with IODA -- who we consider the leader in digital distribution -- is of vital importance to Doublemoon," commented Ahmet Ulu. , Doublemoon's founder and partner at Pozitif Productions. "We are so happy to collaborate with IODA and look forward to a long partnership."
Discos Coras�n is a Mexican independent record label dedicated to finding and recording the best traditional music from Mexico, the Caribbean and Africa. Created by World Circuit co-founder Mary Farquharson, and Eduardo Llerenas, the Mexican producer who began recording traditional music -- Alan Lomax style -- back in the late 1960's. Discos Coras�n has made a name for itself by producing and promoting high quality traditional music, introducing unknown artists to the international music scene.
Coras�n was the first label to record the Santiago de Cuba guitarist Eliades Ochoa in 1985, and his CD, 'A una coqueta' turned out to be his ticket to join the line-up of Buena Vista Social Club. Deep-roots harpist La Negra Graciana, who has been a frequent star of world music festivals, was recorded by Coras�n after they found her playing in cantinas in Veracruz. Likewise, the extraordinary Malian singer, Kasse Mady Diabate, recorded by Coras�n for the Grammy-nominated 'Kassi Kasse' has since been invited to feature on Nick Gold's production, 'AfroCubism.' Los Camperos de Valles, Mexico's top Huastecan trio, were first recorded by Eduardo Llerenas in 1971. This violin band is now a big player on the international scene, recording with Ry Cooder and the Chieftans in 2009 and with Peter Gabriel's Real World team in the 1990s. In 2010 Discos Coras�n co-produced '�Por mi culpa!' with the legendary singer Chavela Vargas; considered to be the Edith Piaf of Latin American music. This recording features duets with Chavela's friends and fans, including Lila Downs, Pink Martini and La Negra Chagra. Artists include:
* Cuban guitarist Eliades Ocho;
* Mexican harpist La Negra Graciana;
* Huastecan trio Los Camperos de Valles;
* Country violinist Juan Reynoso, and
* Chavela Vargas.
"The success of small labels like Discos Coras�n is highly dependent on collaboration with like-minded people in our field," commented Mary Farquharson, co-founder of Discos Coras�n and World Circuit. "The team at IODA is an ideal example of this; they understand our business. They work with great enthusiasm, consistency and expertise to help our artists grow and connect with fans around the world."
Founded in 1950 in Medellin, Colombia, CODISCOS is one of the oldest running independent music labels in the Americas. The label has been home to some of the most important artists in Colombia and Latin America and has recorded all formats of Latin music, from salsa, vallenato, traditional and Christian to children's music, rock and pop. CODISCOS has received many awards and recognition over the years, including 17 Latin Grammy nominations and 4 Latin Grammys. The label also won consecutive Billboard new artist showcases during the Billboard Latin Music conferences in 2006 and 2007. Artists include:
* Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz;
* Ismael Miranda;
* Ekhymosis (Latin superstar Juanes' original band);
* Maelo Ruiz;
* Grupo Niche;
* Tony Vega;
* Luisito Carrion, and
* Conjunto Clasico.
"IODA is more than a distributor for CODISCOS. They are a true partner -- passionate about our music, experts at what they do, and have a great and caring team of people to work with," said Dennis Murcia, VP of International A&R and Marketing at CODISCOS. "The music coming out of Colombia now is diverse and exciting: from Shakira to Monica Giraldo. We know there is unmet demand for both our catalog as well as new releases and IODA is helping us capitalize on that opportunity."
