Bear Family Records, the German independent record label specializing in reissues of archival country, rock n' roll, rhythm n' blues, blues, folk and soul music, will have exclusive distribution in the U.S. (for the first time) via MVD Entertainment Group. The label, founded by collector Richard Weize, has been in existence since 1975 and started with the double LP Going Back to Dixie by Bill Clifton.
Bear Family's oldest recording archives date back to 1896, but a great amount of their releases contain material from the ‘60s and '70s. The label has become known for its box sets, and the company describes itself as "a collector's record label" due to its primary business reissuing rare recordings in CD format in small amounts. Historically, Bear Family Recrods material has had only limited availability in the U.S., stocked at Ernest Tubb Record Shops and through mail order sources. With the MVD deal in place, Bear Family box sets will be widely available in the U.S.
"With joining the MVD Entertainment group of labels, Bear Family is making the next step," said Detlev Hoegen of Bear Family. "While as a record label we are preserving the past, with MVD as our distribution partner we are meeting the challenges of today's global market."
Hoegen also presides over Cree Records, a new-ish imprint of Bear Family specializing in Caribbean, calypso, soul, funk, reggae, disco and obscure European releases. The label is heavily expanding in the vinyl market and will have approximately 20 new titles on LP (12" 180 gram, 10" and 45s).
"We are so proud to be working closely with Detlev and his team, and especially proud to be affiliated with such a strong brand as Bear Family Records," said Ed Seaman, COO of MVD. "This opens new doors for our growing business and allows MVD to expand further into the high end music collector's market."
Pictured is Hoegen with Seaman and MVD Staff.
For more information, visit bear-family.com.
