Harvest Records

Harvest Records was a British record label founded in 1969 by Malcolm Jones as a subsidiary of EMI. The label was created to focus on progressive rock and psychedelic rock music, and it played a significant role in the development of these genres. Pink Floyd, one of the most successful and influential bands on the label, released their iconic album The Dark Side of the Moon in 1973, which became a huge commercial success and helped establish Harvest Records as a major player in the music industry. The label also signed other notable bands, including Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson, and released music by Syd Barrett, a founding member of Pink Floyd.

● History

The history of Harvest Records is closely tied to the development of progressive rock and psychedelic rock in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The label was founded in 1969 by Malcolm Jones, who had previously worked at EMI and was instrumental in signing bands like Pink Floyd and The Pretty Things. Harvest Records quickly established itself as a major force in the music industry, releasing albums by Deep Purple, The Move, and Electric Light Orchestra. The label's success was fueled by the creative freedom it gave its artists, allowing them to experiment with new sounds and styles. This approach attracted bands like Kevin Ayers, Gong, and Hawkwind, who were looking for a label that would support their innovative and often unconventional music. Harvest Records also released music by Roy Harper, John Lees, and Barclay James Harvest, among others.

● Discography

The discography of Harvest Records includes a wide range of albums by various artists, including Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and Animals. The label also released albums by Genesis, such as Selling England by the Pound and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, as well as Yes's Fragile and Close to the Edge. Other notable albums released by Harvest Records include King Crimson's In the Court of the Crimson King and Syd Barrett's The Madcap Laughs and Barrett. The label also released music by The Pretty Things, The Move, and Electric Light Orchestra, among others. Harvest Records was also home to Deep Purple's Machine Head and Made in Japan, as well as Roy Harper's Lifemask and Flat Baroque and Berserk.

● Notable Artists

Harvest Records was home to a diverse range of notable artists, including Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson. The label also signed Syd Barrett, who released two solo albums, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, after leaving Pink Floyd. Other notable artists on the label included Deep Purple, The Pretty Things, The Move, and Electric Light Orchestra. Harvest Records also released music by Roy Harper, John Lees, and Barclay James Harvest, among others. The label's roster also included Kevin Ayers, Gong, and Hawkwind, who were known for their experimental and psychedelic sound. Harvest Records was also associated with The Soft Machine, Caravan, and Van der Graaf Generator, who were all part of the Canterbury scene.

● Subsidiaries and Distributors

Harvest Records was a subsidiary of EMI, and its music was distributed by Capitol Records in the United States. The label also had a number of subsidiaries, including Harvest Heritage, which released reissues and compilations of music by Harvest Records artists. Harvest Records also had a distribution deal with A&M Records, which released music by The Police and The Carpenters, among others. The label's music was also distributed by United Artists Records and Warner Bros. Records in certain territories. Harvest Records was also associated with Virgin Records, which was founded by Richard Branson and released music by Mike Oldfield and Tangerine Dream, among others.

● Legacy and Impact

The legacy and impact of Harvest Records can be seen in the many influential bands and artists who released music on the label. Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon is widely considered one of the greatest albums of all time, and Genesis's Selling England by the Pound is a classic of progressive rock. The label's emphasis on creative freedom and experimentation also paved the way for future generations of musicians, including Radiohead, Muse, and Arcade Fire. Harvest Records also played a significant role in the development of the Canterbury scene, which included bands like The Soft Machine, Caravan, and Van der Graaf Generator. The label's music has also been cited as an influence by David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Robert Fripp, among others. Category:Record labels