Numen Records launches, Plans 2014 heritage of Ska Festival

Independent label Numen Records has officially launched with four albums lined up to be released this year.

Founded by songwriter/producer Osmond Wright (aka Mozez – pictured), the label has further plans to venture into the live events market with a new festival in 2014.

Talking on the idea behind Numen, Wright said: “We believe there’s an opening for a label which – first and foremost – concentrates on the talent. In my experience there are a lot of artists out there who haven’t had a chance because they might not have the right look or whatever it may be.

“As long as the vocalist or the singer has really good songs and wants to project that and has a story to tell then we’re interested. We want to give opportunities to those people who have something to say – that’s the ideology of the label, to give a chance to artists who have talent.”

Upcoming releases are to come from female singer/songwriter’s Gudrun and Mari, ska band Freetown, drummer/producer Cool-Medina, male soul artist Aminu Idris and Wright’s third solo album The Absolute.

Plans are also currently underway for the new festival titled Heritage of Ska to take place over two days in June/July 2014. As well as featuring big named artists, the event will be a celebration of the “history and culture” of the ska genre, with speakers, DJ’s and local acts, explains Wright, “We’re hoping to build a connection between the Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica, we want to hold a similar thing here as an ongoing yearly festival.

“This isn’t just a run of the mill festival; it’s going to be something that deals with the culture as well and the community aspect of it. There’s a whole generation of young people that don’t know anything about this type of music so we’re re-introducing ska.”

A potential site could be Brockwell Park in South London, which holds a capacity of 10,000 people. The event will be officially launched this summer with a gig held in a venue at the O2 arena.

Wright has a long history in the music business, after starting off as one half of dance music act Spirits in 1996.

He has since co-written and produced a number of tracks with production duo Zero 7 before signing to Apace Records to release his debut solo album So Still in 2005, then follow up re-mix record Time Out in 2010.

As well as heading up Numen, Wright is currently finishing production duties for the soundtrack of a new 40th anniversary Bruce Lee documentary to be aired this summer.

 

from MUSICWEEK