About
Rykodisc was founded in 1983 as the first CD-only music label; their name is derived from the Japanese word for lightning, 雷光 (Raikō), which the label translated as "sound from a flash of light." Four years of CD-only releases from a wide variety of musical genres ensued, until Rykodisc also began releasing CD-Quality LPs and Cassettes. It had an affiliation with Warner Music Group and survived as a sister label of Palm Pictures when it was owned by Chris Blackwell in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2006, Warner Music Group acquired the label. While the Rykodisc label is used by Warners as a reissue label, it is in all other respects defunct. Labelcode: LC 02619 In 1992 Ryko introduced the Green Tinted jewelbox with this text on them: "The green-tinted CD jewelbox is a registered trademark of Rykodisc", they were eventually gradually replaced around 1997 by transparent boxes but text remained. CD tray was transparent and usually had image of artist or a turntable image (introduced in 1993). Initially, the tinted jewelcase's center spoke were quite fragile and easily broken. While Ryko was still an independent you could call them and purchase the jewelcases separately. For the company, please use
Sub-labels
Restless Records
Restless was founded in early 1986 as a sublabel of Enigma Records (3) by Joe Regis and William Hein. Intended for the alternative market, it is home to a diverse catalog of titles by such lea...
Emperor Norton
Emperor Norton Records, was a Los Angeles-based electronica, hip-hop, and dance-music record label funded by the Getty Family. The President of the label was Steve Pross. Among the artists fe...
Hannibal Records
Hannibal was formed in 1980 by producer Joe Boyd. Label Code: LC 7433 / LC 07433
Gramavision
US record label, established in New York in 1979 by Jonathan F. P. Rose. Label Code: LC 8228 / LC 08228 From its beginnings in downtown Manhattan, Gramavision has looked for what is new in ja...
Penalty Recordings
Record label and entertainment company, founded and run by CEO Neil Levine (3). The company was founded in 1995 as a record label specializing in hip-hop music. The original Penalty label was...
Rykodisc International
Misfits Records
Label set up in 2001 by Jerry Only and John Cafiero after The Misfits had completed their contractual obligations with the Geffen & Roadrunner labels. The label went on to release album...
Black Arc
Series, a project overseen by for RykoDisc records.
Slow River Records
US label
Candescence
Candescence is a division of Rykodisc dedicated to electronica-oriented, new-agey music. It is not known if it is still active.
Ryko Analogue
Ryko Analogue was a Rykodisc banner used on the label's cassette and vinyl releases.
The World
Series of 25 albums issued in collaboration by and , collected by former drummer / percussionist . The series is known for it's sonic accuracy as well as it's div...
Rykodisc Ltd.
UK Division of Rykodisc Inc. Sometimes mentioned as Rykodisc Limited.
Au20
Series was released by Rykodisc between 1993 and 1997. In all, fifteen titles were released (one Richard & Linda Thompson, eight David Bowie, two Mickey Hart, two Elvis Costello and two Frank Zappa...
Gold Remasters
Voices Series
Gramavision Records
Gramavision Records is an American record label founded in 1979. Since 1994 it has been a subsidiary of Rykodisc. In 1979, founded in Katonah, New York. The early catalog cons...
Ryko Distribution
Distribution company of Rykodisc was founded in 1983 as the first CD-only music label. (Ryko is a Japanese word meaning "sound from a flash of light.") At a music convention in France, the ...
Contact Label
[Defunct:] 400 Essex St. Salem, MA 01970 [Defunct:] RYKODISC Pickering Wharf, Bldg C-3G Salem, MA 01970 USA 508 744 7678 Telex 4996804 (EATRECS) FAX 508 741 4506 [Defunct:] 4 Columbus Circle, 5th Fl. New York, NY 10019 [Obsolete contact]: Three Broadway Beverly, MA 01915 USA E-mail: earful@rykodisc.com