Helidon

Helidon is a Slovenian record label with a history dating back to 1968. It was established as a subsidiary of the publishing house Založba Obzorja Maribor. The name "Helidon" means "swallow" in ancient Greek. The label began as TGP Helidon (Tovarna gramofonskih plošč Helidon), the first Slovenian vinyl record production facility, founded on 7 March 1968 in Šiška, Ljubljana. For many years, it was associated with the Croatian record label Suzy Records within the self-management system of Yugoslavia. As vinyl declined, the factory closed, but the music publishing activity continued. Around 1989–1990, Helidon began releasing CDs, with early releases by Ansambel bratov Avsenik, Nace Junkar, Alfi Nipič, Buldožer, Lačni Franz, and Miladojka Youneed. The label's most popular artists were Ansambel bratov Avsenik and Ansambel Lojzeta Slaka, and it also released music by Adi Smolar, Lačni Franz, Buldožer, Pankrti, Peter Lovšin, Prizma, Prah, Matej Krajnc, Dvanajsto površeje, Ansambel Boris Kovačič, and Ansambel Miha Dovžan. It paid particular attention to partisan songs and audio fairy tales. In 2002, Helidon seemed likely to cease operations due to possible bankruptcy, but it recovered a few years later and remains active with regular releases. Since 2020, it has mainly published vinyl records and digital audio media. The label's official website features a catalog of releases and news about upcoming vinyl reissues, such as Lačni Franz's "Slon med porcelanom" and Videosex's "Svet je zopet mlad". Helidon continues to operate as a record label based in Slovenia, with its parent company Založba Obzorja Maribor.

Helidon was founded on 7 March 1968 as TGP Helidon (Tovarna gramofonskih plošč Helidon), the first Slovenian vinyl record production facility, located in Šiška, Ljubljana. It operated as a subsidiary of the publishing house Založba Obzorja Maribor. The name Helidon means "swallow" in ancient Greek. For many years, it was connected to the Croatian record label Suzy Records within the self-management system of Yugoslavia. As vinyl records declined, the factory was closed, but the music publishing activity continued. Around 1989–1990, Helidon began releasing CDs; the first were by Ansambel bratov Avsenik (35 Let - Jubileini Zvoki), Nace Junkar, Alfi Nipič, Buldožer (Nova vremena), Lačni Franz (Kaj bi mi brez nas), and Miladojka Youneed (Bloodylon). The label's most popular artists were Ansambel bratov Avsenik and Ansambel Lojzeta Slaka. Other artists included Adi Smolar, Lačni Franz, Buldožer, Pankrti, Peter Lovšin, Prizma, Prah, Matej Krajnc, Dvanajsto površeje, Ansambel Boris Kovačič, and Ansambel Miha Dovžan. Helidon paid particular attention to publishing partisan songs and audio fairy tales. In 2002, it appeared that Helidon would cease operations due to possible bankruptcy, but it recovered a few years later and remained active with regular releases. Since 2020, it has mainly published vinyl records and digital audio media. The label's official website continues to announce new releases and reissues, such as Lačni Franz's "Slon med porcelanom" and Videosex's "Svet je zopet mlad".

• Founded as TGP Helidon, the first Slovenian vinyl record production facility, in Šiška, Ljubljana.

• Began releasing CDs, with early releases by Ansambel bratov Avsenik, Nace Junkar, Alfi Nipič, Buldožer, Lačni Franz, and Miladojka Youneed.

• Faced possible bankruptcy and seemed likely to cease operations.

• Recovered a few years after 2002 and remained active with regular releases.

• Since 2020, mainly publishes vinyl records and digital audio media.

A historic Slovenian record label specializing in vinyl and digital releases, with a catalog spanning folk, rock, and partisan music.

• Slon med porcelanom by Lačni Franz (LP reissue)

• Planinski cvet (LP)

• Na Vrhe (LP)

• Tvoj portret (LP)

• Svet je zopet mlad by Videosex (LP reissue)

• KUD Idijoti / Mi smo ovdje samo zbog para (LP reissue)

1. 1HELIDON official websitehelidon.si
2. 2Helidon - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Helidon - Wikipedia (Italian)it.wikipedia.org