SANTA MONICA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ SLG) - The Savoy Label Group, one of the United States' leading adult music label groups, is enjoying its most successful year to date with an unprecedented number of chart topping recordings and critical recognition from its stable of recording labels which includes SLG Records, Denon Classics, 429 Records, Savoy Jazz Worldwide and flagship label Savoy Jazz. Boasting a wide ranging roster of artists both new and iconic in their respective genres, the Savoy Label Group has garnered No 1 records on the New Age, Blues, Seasonal, Classical and Americana charts; No 1 overall independent Classical label (and No 3 overall Top Classical Label); No 2 overall Top New Age Label; No 4 on Billboard's Dance Chart (Corinne Bailey Rae w/ New Mastersounds); and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album (for Joan Armatrading's "INTO THE BLUES"). Below is a comprehensive label wrap for 2007.
On the strength of several releases from adult contemporary radio's No 1 charting artist, Jim Brickman, SLG Records topped the Billboard New Age and Seasonal Charts several times, established itself as the No 3 Top New Age Imprint and No 2 New Age label and garnered Top 5 radio airplay throughout the year on Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Christian and even Country radio outlets in 2007. Released at the end of 2006, Brickman's debut SLG Records release "ESCAPE" continued his streak of No 1 New Age albums showcasing original pop instrumentals and collaborative efforts with stars such as Sara Evans and Gerald Levert. SLG ended the year with the release of Brickman's "HOMECOMING," an all new collection of holiday recordings. Currently No 4 on the Adult Contemporary radio chart, the first single "Coming Home For Christmas" is a collaboration with former Lonestar lead vocalist Richie McDonald in his first effort as a solo artist. "HOMECOMING" topped the Billboard Seasonal Chart the first week of release and has spent over 6 weeks on Billboard's Top 200 chart. On deck for 2008 is an all new project from Brickman titled "VALENTINE," slated for January release.
429 Records, the pop/rock arm of the Savoy Label Group, also had its most successful year to date with the release of several projects from a wide range of artists including well-established, highly respected musicians such as The Roches, The Young Dubliners and Steve Forbert, to the critically lauded conceptual projects such as "ENDLESS HIGHWAY: THE MUSIC OF THE BAND" - a stellar collection of new interpretations of classic Band songs by the likes of My Morning Jacket, Bruce Hornsby, Jack Johnson, Death Cab For Cutie, Widespread Panic and many others. ENDLESS HIGHWAY reached No 1 on Radio & Records' Americana chart and No 2 on FMQB's Public Breakout chart and debuted on Billboard's Top 200 chart. Joan Armatrading released her 16th career album on 429 Records, "INTO THE BLUES," and not only earned her first No 1 album in the U.S. (a No 1 debut on Billboard's and iTunes Blues Chart), but garnered high profile recognition from the music community with a much deserved Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. 2008 is gearing up to be just as exciting at 429 Records with the release of new signing Jackie Greene's label debut 'Giving up the Ghost' in April, Steve Reynolds' much anticipated follow-up to his 2005 429 Records' debut, "EXILE," an all-star collaborative project from Young Dubliners, the return of Toni Childs with her 429 Records debut and the label's newest signing - Dr. John - whose 429 debut arrives in early May!
Denon Classics had another banner year with several new releases including stalwart crowd pleaser and "Waltz King" Andre Rieu as well as celebrated Norwegian vocal star Sissel. Rieu once again topped the Billboard Classical chart with his first special produced in the United States, "RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL: LIVE IN NEW YORK." PBS had record ratings with "RADIO CITY," which became the cornerstone of both the fall and December pledge drives. Frequent airings in every major market solidified "RADIO CITY" as Rieu's most successful special to date (the project has already reached certified Gold sales in Canada) resulting in Denon Classics being named the No 1 Classical Indie Label and No 3 Top Classical Label overall in Billboard's year-end sales analysis. Both Sissel and Andre Rieu are gearing up for major tours in the first half of 2008. Rieu just previewed his World Stadium Tour in Toronto this month which could be considered the largest touring stage production ever undertaken when it travels the world next year. Rieu, his orchestra and many special guests including the Wiener Straatsopera ballet troupe will perform in a full-size replica of a Viennese emperor's palace complete with ice rink, multiple horse-drawn carriages and an authentic ballroom. A new special for PBS is also in the works, "ANDRE RIEU IN WONDERLAND," which will focus on the magic and whimsy of classic fairy tales in a no-holds-barred production. In an effort to solidify her standing in the U.S. and expand her already considerable fan base, Sissel will embark on her first major tour of the States in January! Her PBS pledge drive special "SISSEL, NORTHERN LIGHTS" featuring guest star Jose Carreras was an unqualified hit for stations nationwide breaking audience response records in major cities such as Chicago, Boston and Hartford. Northern Lights cracked Billboard's Classical Crossover top 10 just before Christmas and her next PBS special is scheduled for airing in December of 2008.
Flagship label Savoy Jazz expanded upon its classic jazz foundation in 2007 with the surprise club hit "Your Love Is Mine" featuring Corinne Bailey Rae. Taken from the Savoy Jazz Worldwide label's signature series Cafe d'Afrique, the song took the dance chart by storm over the summer reaching No 4 on Billboard's Dance Chart. Savoy Jazz will release the much-anticipated release of Ravi Coltrane's all new recording for the label in the spring of 2008. As yet untitled, it's the follow-up to his Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed Savoy Jazz debut, "IN FLUX."
The Savoy Label Group (SLG) features not only the historic Savoy Jazz label but also the 429 Records, Denon, Denon Classics, SLG Records and Savoy Jazz Worldwide labels. SLG is the North American unit of Columbia Music Entertainment (formerly Nippon Columbia), the oldest music company in Japan. Newly reorganized and now headed by Chairman Strauss Zelnick, Columbia Music Entertainment has re-emerged as a significant creative force with a stable of newly signed platinum-selling artists. SLG is one of the most successful marketers of adult music in the U.S. and focuses on classical, jazz, new age, world and adult alternative genres.
SLG 2007 YEAR END STATISTICS
Album Charts
Jim Brickman "Homecoming"
No 1 Top New Age
No 1 Top Seasonal
No 3 Top Internet
No 5 Top Christian
Billboard 200 Chart Debut
Andre Rieu "Radio City Music Hall Live in New York"
No 1 Classical Album
Certified Gold CRIA
Top 10 Debut - Billboard Music Video chart
Joan Armatrading "Into the Blues"
No 1 Billboard Blues Chart
No 1 iTunes Blues Chart
Grammy Nominee - Best Contemporary Blues Album
Sissel and friends - Northern Lights featuring Jose Carreras
No 10 Billboard Classical Crossover
Endless Highway - tribute to The Band
Billboard 200 debut
Billboard Year End Label Awards
Top Classical Artist
No 3 Andre Rieu
Top Classical Imprint
No 3 Denon
Top Classical Label
No 3 Savoy Label Group
Top Classical Label Imprint
No 3 Denon
Top Classical Indie Label
No 1 Denon
Top Classical Budget Album
No 13 "The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe"
Top Classical Albums
No 4 Andre Rieu "The Homecoming"
No 7 Andre Rieu "Christmas Around The World"
Top New Age Label
No 2 Savoy Label Group
Top New Age Imprint
No 3 SLG Records
Top New Age Artist
No 2 Jim Brickman
Top New Age Album
No 3 Jim Brickman "Escape"
No 5 Jim Brickman "Homecoming"
Top Blues Artist
No 8 Joan Armatrading
Top Blues Album
No 6 Joan Armatrading "Into The Blues"
Year End Radio Awards
Escape - Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman - 'Hideaway'
R&R A/C Top 10 Index
Jim Brickman - 'Never Alone'
A/C Top 40 Year end
Endless Highway Music of The Band - Various Artists
No 1 R&R Americana Chart
No 2 FMQB Public Breakout Chart
No 12 R&R Top Americana Album
Sales Certifications
Gold Video Certifications - CRIA
Andre Rieu - Love Songs
Andre Rieu - Flying Dutchman
Andre Rieu - Live in Dublin
Andre Rieu - Christmas with Andre Rieu
Andre Rieu - New Years in Vienna
Andre Rieu - Live in Dublin
Andre Rieu - Homecoming
Andre Rieu - Live at Radio City Music Hall
Platinum Video Certifications - CRIA
Andre Rieu - Live in Dublin
Andre Rieu - Homecoming
