JEM

Jem Records, Inc. was a US distributing company that operated from 1971 to 1988. It was one of the largest importers/exporters and distributors of records worldwide. Originally focused on importing British albums into the United States, Jem expanded its operations with office and warehouse locations in London, Los Angeles, and its home office in South Plainfield, New Jersey.

In collaboration with Sire Records, Jem launched Passport Records in 1973 to manufacture and release records within the United States. Over time, Passport Records Group emerged as an umbrella for various labels including Passport Jazz and The Audion Recording Company.

However, financial difficulties plagued Jem's distribution division in the mid-1980s. Despite consistent profitability of the Passport Records Group, the parent company could not sustain itself and ultimately ceased operations at the end of 1988. As a result, all remaining records in Jem's warehouses were sold off to the cutout market.