Rykodisc's 25th birthday celebrates more than just the length of time this storied label has existed and evolved through a constantly transforming industry; it highlights some of the finer moments in the history of the compact disc. Throughout its first 25 years Rykodisc has kept one lofty goal in its sights: to be the home of some of music's most vital recordings. Rykodisc is proud to have been the first label to not only embrace the compact disc format, but to release the first high quality CD reissues of seminal works by artists such as Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Elvis Costello and Jimi Hendrix.
Rykodisc also boasts a diverse distribution catalogue comprised of an array of impressive labels. Gramavision has brought us distinguished releases by Medeski, Martin & Wood and John Scofield, while Hannibal has become the home of many of the foundations of what we now call "world music" by releasing recordings by Ali Farke Toure and Toumani Diabate, among others. In fact, some could argue that the album Talking Timbuktu by Ali Farke Toure and Ry Cooder is one of the cornerstones of the world music genre. Hannibal, long an important facet of the Rykodisc family, is also the label that first brought Nick Drake to the CD format, without which you may never have heard "Pink Moon." Hannibal is also the home of Richard and Linda Thompson, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Sandy Denny and many other important folk and roots artists. Restless Records is also an important part of the Rykodisc story. This seminal Los Angeles label released the first recordings by The Flaming Lips, T.S.O.L., The Dead Milkmen, They Might Be Giants and via Twin Tone, The Replacements and The Jayhawks.
Rykodisc strives to extend its legacy into the next 25 years by signing career artists such as the former lead singer of Del Amitri, Justin Currie, one of the founding members of The Jayhawks, Gary Louris, and Mr. Jumpin' Jive himself, Joe Jackson.
On the 25th of every month in '08 we will be offering five free downloads from the first 25 years. We hope you find these songs as integral in your lives as they have been in ours and that you discover some gems to treasure that you didn't even realize existed. Happy Downloading from your friends at Rykodisc.
