Elec Records

Elec Records (エレックレコード) is a Japanese independent record label founded in 1969. Along with URC Records and Bellwood Records, it is regarded as one of the three major labels of the early Japanese folk scene and is considered a forerunner of today's independent labels. The label was established by Yuzuru Nagano, who had run a publishing company called Elec-sha that produced music correspondence courses; when students requested recordings of their works, Nagano and his associates, including Isamu Asanuma and broadcaster Masaru Doi, founded Elec Records in Shinjuku, Tokyo, with capital of 1 million yen. Its first release in April 1969 was a four-song compact disc by Doi, whose song "Calendar" became a hit. The label's breakthrough came with the discovery of Yoshida Takuro (then Yoshida Takuro), whose debut single "Image no Uta / Mark II" was released in 1970. His albums for Elec, including "Seishun no Uta," "Yoshida Takuro On Stage: Tomodachi," and "Ningen Nante," each sold over 300,000 copies, extraordinary for the time. Elec also released records by Shigeru Izumiya, Keme (Kimihiko Sato), and others, growing rapidly. At its peak, the company had annual sales of 2 billion yen, built a seven-story headquarters building, and employed about 120 people including talent and staff. It remained independent, not joining the Japan Record Association. However, from 1972 onward, key artists left the label, citing unpaid royalties. Yoshida Takuro moved to CBS Sony in January 1972, and others followed. In late 1974, Nagano left the company, and a new president, Hajime Ogino, took over. The label continued to release unconventional projects, such as a 100-disc LP box set of "Miyamoto Musashi" and albums by Emma Sugimoto and Akiyuki Nosaka. On July 15, 1976, Elec Records went bankrupt with debts of 1.2 billion yen. After a long dormant period, a new Elec Records Co., Ltd. was established in 2004, reissuing old recordings and reviving the "Uta no Ichi" concert event. Initially providing master rights to VAP, Pony Canyon, and For Life Music Entertainment, from June 2013 its reissues have been released under Warner Music Japan. The label continues to release new music, including albums by AMAZONS, Stillwater, and others. Elec Records played a key role in popularizing folk music in Japan and in pioneering the independent label movement.

Elec Records was founded in 1969 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, by Yuzuru Nagano, Isamu Asanuma, Masaru Doi, and two others, with capital of 1 million yen. Nagano had run a publishing company called Elec-sha, which produced music correspondence courses. When students requested recordings of their works, Nagano and his associates decided to produce records themselves. The label's first release in April 1969 was a four-song compact disc by broadcaster Masaru Doi, whose song "Calendar" became a hit, selling nearly 80,000 copies. The label's major breakthrough came with the discovery of Yoshida Takuro. Asanuma noticed the "Hiroshima Folk Village" and brought four of its members to Tokyo. Elec produced the album "Old Sailors, Not Old Boats, Can Move an Old Ship Now," and Yoshida's talent stood out. Without Yoshida's consent, Elec cut "Image no Uta / Mark II" as a single; when Yoshida protested, Asanuma persuaded him to join Elec as an employee. Released on May 20, 1970, it was Yoshida's debut single. His first album, "Seishun no Uta," released on November 1, 1970, ignited his popularity. His three albums for Elec each sold over 300,000 copies, exceptional at the time. The label also released records by Shigeru Izumiya, Keme (Kimihiko Sato), and others, growing rapidly. Within three years, annual sales reached 2 billion yen, and the company became the second highest taxpayer in the Shinjuku tax office area after Isetan. It built a seven-story headquarters and employed about 120 people at its peak. It remained independent, not joining the Japan Record Association. However, from 1972 onward, key artists left, citing unpaid royalties. Yoshida moved to CBS Sony in January 1972, dealing a major blow. In 1973, Kaientai moved to Teichiku Records. In October 1974, Izumiya left. In late 1974, Nagano left the company after being involved in a corporate battle. Hajime Ogino became the second president. The label continued to release unconventional projects, such as a 100-disc LP box set of "Miyamoto Musashi" (priced at 120,000 yen), Emma Sugimoto's "Emmanuelle," and a recording of Akiyuki Nosaka's street speeches. On July 15, 1976, Elec Records went bankrupt with a 13 million yen bounced check and total debts of 1.2 billion yen. Kenji Kadoya, a former employee, attributed the bankruptcy to poor management. After the bankruptcy, many recordings were not reissued due to unclear copyright ownership. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, some cover songs were released on dormant labels like Elec Records and Daiei Records, but details are unclear. In 2004, a new Elec Records Co., Ltd. was established, reissuing old recordings and reviving the "Uta no Ichi" concert event. Initially, it provided master rights to VAP, Pony Canyon, and For Life Music Entertainment. From June 2013, its reissues have been released under Warner Music Japan. The label continues to release new music by artists such as AMAZONS, Stillwater, and others.

• Elec Records founded in Shinjuku, Tokyo, with capital of 1 million yen.

• First release: four-song compact disc by Masaru Doi.

• Yoshida Takuro's debut single "Image no Uta / Mark II" released.

• Yoshida Takuro's first album "Seishun no Uta" released.

• "Uta no Ichi" concert series begins.

• Yoshida Takuro leaves for CBS Sony.

• Kaientai moves to Teichiku Records; Elec launches idol label "Ai Label" with Zuutrubi's debut.

• Shigeru Izumiya leaves the label.

• Yuzuru Nagano resigns; Hajime Ogino becomes second president.

• Elec Records goes bankrupt with debts of 1.2 billion yen.

• New Elec Records Co., Ltd. established; reissues and "Uta no Ichi" concerts revived.

• Reissues begin under Warner Music Japan.

Independent folk and rock label, pioneer of Japanese indie scene

• 1970

  Yoshida Takuro - Seishun no Uta

• 1971

  Yoshida Takuro - Yoshida Takuro On Stage: Tomodachi

• 1971

  Yoshida Takuro - Ningen Nante

• 1974

  Shigeru Izumiya - Golden Age

• Miyamoto Musashi 100-disc LP box set

• Emma Sugimoto - Emmanuelle

• Akiyuki Nosaka - Street Speech LP

• Uta no Ichi concerts

1. 1Elec Records - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2エレックレコード - Wikipedia (Japanese)ja.wikipedia.org