Kleinlabels
Alternativen zu den Schallplattenkonzernen
The article deals with the role of small Jazz labels on the record market and with their importance in the musicians' work. In recent decades, musicians and Jazz fans have developed small labels. This development is documented with some examples; especially the labels "Debut" and "ESP" are considered. Sociological relationships are established, and the music is characterized in a series of examples. The defunct New York label "ESP" has been the valid forerunner and inspiration for the international activities of small label producers since 1970. With this background in mind, the second half of the article discusses three modern European small labels: "FMP", "Enja", and "Steeplechase". These three labels deliniate a spectrum of current diverse releases produced by small record companies: "FMP", an avant garde label, "Enja" with a mixed program and "Steeplechase", representative of modern Jazz tradition. The author, of course, also comes to grips with the economic problems which plague the weaker small labels. The article, however, does neither enumerate nor provide a complete listing of all the small labels currently in production.