Last month, MBW revealed a slew of recent catalogue purchases made by independent labels as part of Warner‘s post-Parlophone divestments process.
We told you that Paris-based Because Music was in for a chunk of the pop catalogue of London Records, believed to contain recordings by the likes of British girl group All Saints.
Earlier today, Because confirmed the buyout.
Within the announcement that Jane Third was leaving the company, it simply said ‘[Because] is about to acquire London Records’.
According to MBW’s sources, Because stands to acquire some standout London Records catalogues including classic albums by the Happy Mondays (like Bummed, pictured), who were originally signed to Factory Records.
Other ex-Factory recordings wrapped up in London Records, however – such as classic LPs from Joy Division and New Order – are not believed to be included.
It seems unlikely that Because will acquire the London Records name: it was last active as a UK label at Universal Music Group under Nick Raphael and Jo Charrington in 2011 – 2013, and is still believed to be owned by UMG.
Pop artists on the London Records label over the decades have included Ace Of Base, Bananarama, Bronski Beat and Whigfield.Music Business Worldwide
