Ministry Of Sound gets ready to sweep America!!!..dumps Ultra Records

[mannyworks00]

http://dancemusic.about.com/od/recordlabels/a/AndyHorsfieldUS.htm

QUOTE;

Andy Horsfield: "It all comes down to the music. I've always felt that with Global, and I certainly feel that with Ministry. Up to this point Ministry was represented through a licensing deal with a label here in New York (Ultra), who obviously have their own agenda to release their own records. So in my opinion, I don't think Ministry's being represented properly in America. I don't think they've found the right partner to do it with".


We'll I don't know if Andy Horsfield was referring to Ultra records but Ultra was the only label I was aware of that released MOS material and also based out of New York. I have nothing personal against Ultra but their Dj favoritism has always been obvious to me...I wonder just how bad this will affect Ultras relevance. ....Ministry is finally coming to America!!!!.......

 

[Mid West Clubber]

This is great news in my opinion, I know many wont share my enthusiasm, but having the biggest label here in the states is gonna greatly help the scene locally. Besides that, MOS knows how to promote records and the have the $ to do so..... WELCOME to AMERICA MOS...

I wonder if this will affect Head Kandy,,,, Im almost sure they are owned by MOS....;

 

[TonySantiago]

Actually...one of the newest members of the coalition is HED KANDI AMERICA! And they're bringing their brand here!

They have one release out, which is a compilation. They will also release Booty Luv into the states as well.

 

[BRH]

Cool! Ministry of Sound has always been my favorite dance record label, and I've bought tons of their CD compilations over the years. They actually GET it and release the kind of euro-dance that I love. I've always hated the watered down Ultra MOS releases that always featured different material and no extras (like DVDs etc.) It's about time we finally got the real thing hear in the U.S. Now maybe I won't have to pay the $35 import price for the yearly MOS Annual I'm hoping they will release the same stuff they do in the UK, and that it will all finally be available on iTunes here in the states now too. This would definately be a huge boost for great dance music.

Also, I'm kind of glad they split from Ultra too. I've never cared much for Ultra's compilations. I've always thought Robbins did a good job, but I never cared for Ultra's compilations because they don't really seem to focus on the big dance hits. (too much obscure stuff and weird mixes for my tastes). Also, the euro sound is much more to my liking anyway. So bring on MOS America! (Yes, I admit it, I LOVE all those cheesy 2 minute euphoric type euro tracks with looped samples. Much better than the circuit house stuff we get stuck with here in the states.)

 

[only1moore]

Well lets hope the second time around is better for MoS. The last time they tried to set to set up shop in the US was when they made that ill-fated distribution deal with MCA that went sour afterwards.

As for Ultra and Robbins, they'll survive, but one has to wonder if any of those MoS and Hed Kandi acts that were signed to either label will be affected by this.

 

[Mid West Clubber]

Actually both MOS and Head Kandy seem to focus more on House, than Euro...

 

[JohnParker]

This is actually old news that was announced back at MIDEM. It's one of the reasons that songs from artists like Ida Corr wasn't released here until 2 weeks ago. In fact, that was in my estimation a MAJOR mistake that they made. They lost tons of sales for a record that was red hot. They should have instantly put it up on iTunes to capitialize on the airplay.

This isn't their first foray into the states, as has been noted, and I think that they will find the terrain is much different than that of the UK. MOS puts out lots of great music and that will help them but the mind set of the American consumer is much different than those in the UK so it will be interesting to watch.

Their coming to the US doesn't affect any deals with our artists or how we operate in the slightest.

jp

 

[mannyworks00]

Hi Jp,
Surely a venture like this goes on for months behind the scenes....and it gets talked about in the back rooms with label executives who made strategic plans accordingly and well informed industry insiders who attend dance awards and conventions....but the actual story means Ministry Of Sound is ready to go public on the move and on the record about Ultra.

ok granted the musical landscape probably will not change (for several reasons) but MOS is in the business of selling it's brand (MOS limited edition beetle in the UK a few years ago, the compilation, the MOS club)...and I think they will do well in that aspect. ...but it has another significant meaning in that it flies in the face of those who say "Dance is Dead". ...

Dance is not dead...4 Fm radio conglomerates pushed 90's Pop and Dance out of fm radio and that's why they lost a whole generation to the internet...but that's another story...this sends a message that the largest Independent music label in the world...who specializes in dance(and has many sub-labels with other genres) music in coming to the states.

I don't look at them as an additional player, rather a replacement. I think the interview implied they would come here to represent themselves as themselves...which essentially means they are replacing Ultra. So it it'll be interesting to see it will affect Ultra's roster for the rest of 2008.......I concur that it will not affect other labels....especially Robbins.

This is actually old news that was announced back at MIDEM. It's one of the reasons that songs from artists like Ida Corr wasn't released here until 2 weeks ago. In fact, that was in my estimation a MAJOR mistake that they made. They lost tons of sales for a record that was red hot. They should have instantly put it up on iTunes to capitialize on the airplay.

This isn't their first foray into the states, as has been noted, and I think that they will find the terrain is much different than that of the UK. MOS puts out lots of great music and that will help them but the mind set of the American consumer is much different than those in the UK so it will be interesting to watch.

Their coming to the US doesn't affect any deals with our artists or how we operate in the slightest.

jp

 

[JohnParker]

No, seriously. It was announced back in March. I guess not many people were paying attention at the time. I could have sworn there was another thread or some mentions on here previously.

As an outsider looking in, I don't believe that it will effect Ultra all that negatively. Sure they may not have some of the comps that they did in the deal but those don't sell anywhere near what they used to in the new iPod age. And Ultra is very aggressive at signings that reflect their brand and I believe that will continue. I have heard that MOS will be making sure that they sign records for the world now instead of just individual territories but that's something that they should have been doing all along with their reach, in my opinion.

Like I said, it will be interesting.

jp

 

[Mid West Clubber]

I mentioned months ago that Strictly Rhythm was coming back,,,,, Been a long while ago, but I dont think anyone mentioned MOS on this board.... Anyway,,, Beyond that, you guys do know the MOS RADIO internet stream is one of the most popular stations on the net,,,,, and thats with still using a 32k stream.

 

[TonySantiago]

The one good thing that comes out of MOS as well as Hed Kandi setting up "shop" here is the fact that now, their material can now be sold online...LEGALLY.

I did a thread a while back ago regarding wanting to try to purchase a track from Booty Luv. And while it was out there in the UK, I couldn't legally purchase it since I wasn't a resident there..on the iTunes UK area....nor was it officially released in the US (John Parker gave a good answer on why that is). So in that sense, one would have to be "forced" to download it through unofficial means....which for those such as myself that WANTED to pay, stunk because the artists SHOULD get the funds for the work that they've done.

With Hed Kandi here, I feel that Booty Luv may eventually wind up on Z-100 and the CHR's throughout the country soon.