Name: Absolutely Bluegrass Volume 1
Brand: Various Artist

Bonus disc

Catalogue number

SHCD4031

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2007-08-27

Signed copies

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

15891403120

Total Cap

Artist

Various Artist

Genre GB

Country / Americana

Label GB

Sugar Hill

Sugar Hill is a seminal late 1970s/early 1980s rap label that launched the careers of early hip-hop legends Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Treacherous Three, and The Sugarhill Gang. Owned by Sylvia Robinson and her husband Joe, with financial backing from Morris Levy and his Roulette Records, the label gained worldwide exposure for its artists. However, it was also known for shady business practices, including acquiring Chess Records in a convoluted manner and routinely short-changing its roster on royalties. After legal wrangling following the label's shutdown in 1985, the Chess masters were sold to MCA Records.

In June 1995, Rhino Records Inc. and Castle Communications PLC purchased the "Sugar Hill Records" catalog from Joseph and Sylvia Robinson. Rhino controls the Sugar Hill catalog throughout North America, South America, Japan, and the Caribbean islands while Castle Communications handles the rest of the world. This extensive catalog includes masters from labels such as Sugar Hill Records, All Platinum, Stang Records, Vibration, Jersey Connection, Willow (2), Turbo Records,Victory Records (2), Sweet Mountain Records,and Astrocope.

Joseph and Sylvia remain proprietors of the related publishing rights as well as the current album inventory. The "rest of the world" catalog is now owned by BMG Rights Management through a series of acquisitions.Label Code: LC 6916.

Essentially using the tried-and-true 'Now That's What I Call Pop Music' template, this compilation was specifically put together to cater directly to mainstream country music fans.  The songs and artists were carefully selected to appeal to the casual consumer who is curious about bluegrass but isn't sure where to begin.   You don't sell bluegrass compilations to the existing bluegrass fanbase. Research shows that most of the best-selling bluegrass compilations are marketed and sold to curious impulse buyers who are drawn to eye-catching artwork, artists they recognize (for instance: Dolly Parton, Nickel Creek, Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, etc.) and a release they feel confident will include hit songs.    This compilation is the cream of the crop, with a palatable cross-section of bluegrass chart topping artists.  It's a safe and great-sounding title to recommend to every mainstream country music fan.

Absolutely Bluegrass Volume 1

Music GB