Epic Records Japan is a Japanese record label owned by Sony Music Labels Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Its founder was Shigeo Maruyama. Between 1978 and 1988 the label operated as a wholly owned subsidiary: Epic/Sony Inc. (株式会社EPIC・ソニー), established in August 1978 and was later folded back into CBS/Sony Group in March 1988. In 2001, it was re-established as Epic Records Japan Inc. (株式会社エピックレコードジャパン, Kabushiki Gaisha Epikku Rekoodo Japan). In 2014, Sony Music Records Inc. absorbed Epic Records Japan Inc. alongside other Sony Japan subsidiaries, changing its name to Sony Music Labels. Since the absorption, Epic Records Japan has operated as an imprint of Sony Music Labels. Notable music artists for this company have included Hikaru Utada, Tetsuya Komuro, and Kimiko Itoh.
On This Label
Released or manufactured by Epic Records Japan, from this catalogue:
- T.M.Revolution - T.M.R.Live Revolution '06 ~Under Cover~ - T.M.Revolution, released April 18, 2007 (
ESBL-2192). A&R (Makoto Osawa), A&R (Tomoko Arizumi), A&R (Yosuke Suzuki), A&R Producer (Hiromu Okada), Artist Promotion (Hayuru Osaka), Artist Promotion (Shogo Tamada), DVD Coordinator (Niina Yasui), Executive Producer (Kazuyuki Kobayashi), Executive Producer (Yorio Isshi), Manufactured By, Produced By, Record Company, Releasing Label.
Gallery
History
Translated from the ja.wikipedia article エピックレコードジャパン (CC BY-SA 4.0), revision 111038628.
History
In July 1971, CBS/Sony Records established the new “EPIC” label. The lineup for its first new LP releases on August 21 consisted of Chase, Sly and the Family Stone, Soft Machine, and Michel Polnareff.
In October 1971, High Society released “Fushigi na Koi no Monogatari / Kimi wo Ubaitai” as the first Japanese release on the EPIC label.
In March 1976, the Japanese music division of the EPIC label was abolished and integrated into the CBS/Sony label.
In August 1978, EPIC/Sony Inc. was established. However, CBS/Sony continued to manage EPIC’s Japanese recordings that had been released by CBS/Sony, including those by Mayuko Nakajima (中島まゆこ), Miyoko Asada (浅田美代子), and Yoko Aso (麻生よう子).
In March 1988, the company was absorbed into CBS/Sony. Around the same time, the designation “EPIC/SONY RECORDS” began to be used on CD back covers and elsewhere.
In 1991, CBS/Sony changed its corporate name to Sony Music Entertainment. Accordingly, the label logo was changed, and the label was renamed Epic/Sony Records.
In June 1994, Antinos Records Inc. was established. It entrusted CD sales to SME and became a member of the same group. Its name meant “Anti Sony”; the “nos” in Antinos was formed by reversing the letters of “sony” and removing the “y”. It was a company that fully introduced the A&R system.
In October 1994, the new dohb discs label was established within Epic/Sony Records. It was transferred to Sony Music Associated Records around May 2000, and label operations ended in July of the same year. “dohb” was a coined term created by shifting the spelling of “epic” one letter backward, and was intended to signify always leading the times by one step. Its operations were strongly independent, including the establishment of its production department in Shimokitazawa, unlike Epic’s.
In October 1998, the label was changed from Epic/Sony Records to Epic Records.
In October 2001, it was separated from SME’s production division and became independent again. The label logo was changed at the same time. The international music division was transferred to Sony Music Japan International (SMJI).
In July 2002, Antinos Records was absorbed through a merger. Antinos became a label within Epic.
In February 2003, the event “LIVE EPIC 25” was held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the company’s establishment.
In March 2004, Antinos Records, which had been managed since July 2002, ceased operations as a result of a corporate merger. Antinos Management also merged with Soitzer Music to become Blue One Music.
In 2005, the new Kowalski (コワルスキー) label was established.
On April 1, 2014, Sony Music Records absorbed and merged the seven companies of its label business group, forming Sony Music Labels Inc. Epic Records Japan became an in-house label of the new company.
History
In July 1971, CBS/Sony Records established the new “EPIC” label. The lineup for its first new LP releases on August 21 consisted of Chase, Sly and the Family Stone, Soft Machine, and Michel Polnareff.
In October 1971, High Society released “Fushigi na Koi no Monogatari / Kimi wo Ubaitai” as the first Japanese release on the EPIC label.
In March 1976, the Japanese music division of the EPIC label was abolished and integrated into the CBS/Sony label.
In August 1978, EPIC/Sony Inc. was established. However, CBS/Sony continued to manage EPIC’s Japanese recordings that had been released by CBS/Sony, including those by Mayuko Nakajima (中島まゆこ), Miyoko Asada (浅田美代子), and Yoko Aso (麻生よう子).
In March 1988, the company was absorbed into CBS/Sony. Around the same time, the designation “EPIC/SONY RECORDS” began to be used on CD back covers and elsewhere.
In 1991, CBS/Sony changed its corporate name to Sony Music Entertainment. Accordingly, the label logo was changed, and the label was renamed Epic/Sony Records.
In June 1994, Antinos Records Inc. was established. It entrusted CD sales to SME and became a member of the same group. Its name meant “Anti Sony”; the “nos” in Antinos was formed by reversing the letters of “sony” and removing the “y”. It was a company that fully introduced the A&R system.
In October 1994, the new dohb discs label was established within Epic/Sony Records. It was transferred to Sony Music Associated Records around May 2000, and label operations ended in July of the same year. “dohb” was a coined term created by shifting the spelling of “epic” one letter backward, and was intended to signify always leading the times by one step. Its operations were strongly independent, including the establishment of its production department in Shimokitazawa, unlike Epic’s.
In October 1998, the label was changed from Epic/Sony Records to Epic Records.
In October 2001, it was separated from SME’s production division and became independent again. The label logo was changed at the same time. The international music division was transferred to Sony Music Japan International (SMJI).
In July 2002, Antinos Records was absorbed through a merger. Antinos became a label within Epic.
In February 2003, the event “LIVE EPIC 25” was held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the company’s establishment.
In March 2004, Antinos Records, which had been managed since July 2002, ceased operations as a result of a corporate merger. Antinos Management also merged with Soitzer Music to become Blue One Music.
In 2005, the new Kowalski (コワルスキー) label was established.
On April 1, 2014, Sony Music Records absorbed and merged the seven companies of its label business group, forming Sony Music Labels Inc. Epic Records Japan became an in-house label of the new company.
Sources
- Wikidata entity Q846383.
- en.wikipedia, Epic Records Japan (revision 1373386990), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- ja.wikipedia, エピックレコードジャパン (revision 111038628), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photograph: Epic Records 1960.svg on Wikimedia Commons, Public domain; a trademark of its owner - the organisation's own logo, by Epic Records.
