Proper Sign Physical Distribution Deal With Reggae-Pioneers VP Records
Covers physical distribution in UK & ROI, with hub services for EU
Notable upcoming releases from Alborosie, Walshy Fire & Kabaka Pyramid
Sees Proper expand into Reggae, Dancehall and Soca, including Greensleeves Records reissues
13 May 2021, London: Proper Music Group, the UK’s leading physical distributor, has signed a deal with pioneering reggae label VP Records to distribute their catalogue in the UK & ROI. The agreement will cover sales, warehousing and logistics, and also includes hub services – delivering product to EU-based distributors.
Making use of Proper’s extensive specialist knowledge in the physical market, the new deal highlights VP Records’ continued commitment to releasing on CD & Vinyl. Notably, their impressive catalogue of high quality reggae products features the likes of pre eminent UK reggae label Greensleeves, new contemporary artists, and in demand classic album reissues.
Tapping into an active schedule of new and re-issue physical projects from VP, the deals debut release will be Alborosie’s incredible new dub album ‘BACK-A-YARD DUB’, the sister project to the ‘Back-A-Yard’ vocal album from roots legends the Wailing Souls. This will be followed by ‘Riddimentary Selection’, a vinyl LP curated by DJ and Producer Walshy Fire (Major Lazer), and a compilation release 'Dancehall Anthems', featuring Kabaka Pyramid and the recent hit “Nice Up The Dance,” a revision of the 1979 Michigan & Smiley classic, produced by Jeremy Harding (Beenie Man, Sean Paul).
Founded in 1977, VP Records expansive catalogue includes some of the best known international artists of the genre, controlling over 25,000 master recordings. With previous releases including Sean Paul, Chaka Demus, Maxi Priest and Shaggy, the deal promises to raise the label’s visibility in the genre, pairing quality releases and expert physical distribution.
Commenting on the deal, Proper’s Managing Director Drew Hill says: “We're delighted to be working with VP to distribute their incredible catalogue of reggae, soca and dancehall music, and look forward to working with them on both classic albums and new frontline releases.”
VP’s label president Randy Chin says, “Proper is known to be the best when it comes to independent music, they share our commitment to selling physical products and we look forward to the partnership.”
About Proper Music Group:
Proper Music Group is a full services company providing everything from global physical and digital distribution to artist and label services, publishing, D2C, and its own record label. Clients are able to tap into as much or as little of Proper’s offering as fits their needs.
Its distribution arm, Proper Music Distribution, is the UK’s leading physical distributor. Handling over 1m titles at a time, it is renowned for its specialist knowledge and personal service coupled with its wide market reach and influence.
Distributing for over 1000 independent labels and service companies including Absolute Label Services, ADA, AWAL, Believe, Cherry Red, Concord, Epitaph, Hospital, Ingrooves, Kartel, Orchard, Redeye, RSK, Snapper and SRD, Proper Music Distribution collectively represents 10% of the UK physical recorded music market.
Proper Music Group received The Company Award: Diversity In The Workplace at the Women In Music Awards 2017, and was also awarded Best Sales Team at the Music Week Awards in 2020 & 2017, and Best Distributor in 2012, 2010 & 2009.
About VP Records
VP Records, based in Jamaica, Queens NY, is a major pioneering force in the reggae music industry, having begun its sales and distribution journey over 60 years ago from the famed Randy's Record Mart in Kingston, Jamaica. Throughout the development of its digital and streaming music business the past 20 years, the company has maintained its commitment to preserving reggae music on physical formats especially vinyl albums, 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl singles.
Over the decades, the company has amassed an impressive range of classic reggae content through licensing and acquisition of labels including, Greensleeves UK, Joe Gibbs, King Jammy's, Harmony House, Rockers International and Xterminator among others. This range of master recordings has given the company a unique opportunity to package classic recordings and showcase rare and collectable titles through its re-issue brands: Greensleeves and 17 North Parade. Compilation series including Reggae Anthology, Total Reggae and Reggae Legends brands have been an additional vehicle to keep the company's deep catalogue in circulation among collectors and enthusiasts of the physical formats. 2019 Saw the release of Down In Jamaica - 40 Years Of VP Records, a multi-format deluxe box set whose success has set the tone for the physical releases that have followed. VP Records remains a stalwart for reggae music across every configuration.