Jazz FM adds to stable of dance music labels

Jazz FM is adding two record labels to its portfolio – Acid Lounge Records and Climate Records – taking its total to five labels.

The move highlights Jazz FM’s increasing reliance on its non-radio businesses, which now account for 60 per cent of sales. The company also runs a concert management service.

The launch of the two labels, coinciding with the release of their first albums on March 25, comes only six weeks after the launch of the third label, Stereo Sushi (MW January 31).

Acid Lounge Records will focus on a specific form of jazz and acid-dance music, while Climate Records will release records based around traditional jazz music with a dance-music edge.

Acid Lounge will be managed by the team behind the company’s main dance label, Hed Kandi, while Climate Records will be managed by Jazz FM Records, the company’s original label.

The labels will initially release compilations, although there are also plans to sign up artists.

Jazz FM enterprise director Simon Cook says the new labels will enable the company to target specific segments of the jazz market. “They will allow us to be creative and flexible,” he says.

Jazz FM is one of the businesses expressing an interest in acquiring London News Radio, which is valued at between &£15m and &£20m.