Harvest Records

Harvest Records is a British-American record label created by EMI in 1969. It was established during a period when major record companies were building specialist imprints to compete for audiences attracted to progressive rock, psychedelic music, and adventurous album-oriented recordings. Harvest was initially directed by Malcolm Jones and was distributed in North America through EMI’s American affiliate, Capitol Records. Its early competitive environment included Philips’s Vertigo, Decca’s Deram, and the independent Island label. The label’s classic 1970s identity was defined by British rock and progressive music. Its roster and catalogue included Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, Kevin Ayers, The Move, Roy Wood, Michael Chapman, Barclay James Harvest, Be Bop Deluxe, and Deep Purple. Harvest also issued selected recordings by artists from outside the United Kingdom, including Australian progressive groups Spectrum and Ariel, and Danish musician Sebastian. The label’s reputation rested less on a single standardized sound than on a willingness to release ambitious albums by artists working across progressive rock, psychedelia, hard rock, avant-garde music, and related forms. Pink Floyd became the most commercially and culturally prominent act associated with Harvest. The label released important early material and albums in the group’s British catalogue, although the band’s United States relationship moved to Columbia Records after The Dark Side of the Moon. Deep Purple was another major Harvest-associated act, particularly for releases made before 1971. In the United States, however, Capitol’s initial effort to develop Harvest as a major standalone imprint produced limited sales outside selected releases, and many British Harvest artists were not issued there under the label. Harvest broadened its remit late in the 1970s. The 1977 compilation The Roxy London WC2 (Jan–Apr 77), produced by Mike Thorne, presented emerging punk acts and helped demonstrate to EMI the commercial potential of punk. Harvest subsequently issued or distributed music by post-punk and new-wave artists including Wire, the Saints, the Banned, Thomas Dolby, and Duran Duran in North America. The label was also connected with United States releases by Little River Band and Iron Maiden, while continuing to be associated with established rock catalogues. In 1975, EMI introduced Harvest Heritage as a reissue-oriented sub-label. It primarily assembled previously issued Harvest material, but also revisited recordings by artists who had not originally recorded for Harvest, including the Gods, Love Sculpture, and Tomorrow. The imprint occasionally released new or archival concert material, such as a 1977 recording featuring Charlie Feathers, Buddy Knox, Jack Scott, and Warren Smith. Harvest’s corporate position changed as ownership of EMI’s recorded-music assets shifted. After Universal Music Group acquired EMI, much of the European Harvest catalogue was divested to the Parlophone Label Group and acquired by Warner Music Group in 2013. Australian recordings were transferred to Universal’s EMI Recorded Music Australia imprint. Pink Floyd’s catalogue followed a separate rights path: after a period in which Pink Floyd Records licensed manufacture and distribution to Warner Music Group in the United Kingdom and Europe and Sony Music Entertainment elsewhere, Sony controlled the catalogue through Columbia Records following its 2024 acquisition of the remaining rights. Capitol Music Group relaunched Harvest on 25 February 2013 as an independent-style label supported by Capitol and Caroline Distribution. Piero Giramonti, previously associated with Warner Bros. Records and Dangerbird Records, was appointed to lead the relaunch. The announced roster included TV on the Radio, Arthur Beatrice, Babes, Death Grips, The Olms, Together Pangea, White Lies, and Young & Sick. Morrissey and Charlotte OC were subsequently announced as Harvest signings in January 2014. The modern label ther…

Harvest Records was founded by EMI in 1969 as a specialist imprint for progressive rock and related experimental album music. Its creation reflected the expansion of the rock market and the growing importance of labels with distinct artistic identities. EMI sought to compete with specialist imprints such as Vertigo and Deram, as well as with Island, whose independent reputation made it an important force in British rock. Malcolm Jones was responsible for the label in its initial period, while Capitol Records handled North American distribution through EMI’s United States organization. Harvest also served as the European licensee for the American label Blue Thumb Records between 1969 and 1971. During the 1970s, Harvest became strongly associated with British progressive and psychedelic rock. Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, Kevin Ayers, The Move, Roy Wood, Michael Chapman, Barclay James Harvest, Be Bop Deluxe, and Deep Purple were among the key artists connected with the label. The roster was predominantly British, but Harvest also released the first two albums by Australian progressive group Spectrum and the first two albums by Spectrum successor Ariel. Danish artist Sebastian had three albums issued in Denmark on Harvest between 1972 and 1974. Pink Floyd was the label’s most internationally significant association, though the group moved its United States releases to Columbia Records after The Dark Side of the Moon. Capitol’s American Harvest operation initially expected substantial sales, but after limited results it issued comparatively few Harvest releases and often used Capitol’s standard numbering system. As musical fashion changed, Harvest began to move beyond its original progressive-rock identity. The 1977 compilation The Roxy London WC2 (Jan–Apr 77), produced by Mike Thorne, documented previously little-known punk groups and became successful enough to influence EMI’s assessment of punk’s commercial potential. Harvest then released music by artists connected with post-punk, punk, new wave, and alternative rock, including Wire, the Saints, the Banned, Thomas Dolby, and Duran Duran in North America. The label was also involved in American releases for Little River Band and Iron Maiden. This period showed that Harvest could function as a broader exploratory rock imprint rather than only as a progressive-rock label. EMI created Harvest Heritage in 1975 as a reissue sub-label. Its principal purpose was to compile and repackage material released through Harvest since 1969. The imprint also revisited music by some late-1960s EMI acts that had not recorded for Harvest, including the Gods, Love Sculpture, and Tomorrow. In addition to catalogue compilations, Harvest Heritage occasionally issued newer archival projects, including a recording of a 1977 concert by rockabilly performers Charlie Feathers, Buddy Knox, Jack Scott, and Warren Smith. The label’s later history was shaped by changes in recorded-music ownership. When Universal Music Group acquired EMI, much of the European Harvest catalogue was included in the assets divested through the Parlophone Label Group. Warner Music Group acquired that portion in February 2013. Australian Harvest recordings, including material by the Saints and Little River Band, were assigned to Universal’s EMI Recorded Music Australia imprint. The Pink Floyd catalogue developed separately: from 2016 to 2024, Pink Floyd Records licensed manufacture and distribution to Warner Music Group for the United Kingdom and Europe and to Sony Music Entertainment for North America and other territories. Sony subsequently controlled the catalogue through Columbia Records after its 2024 acquisition. On 25 February 2013, Capitol Music Group announced that it would relaunch Harvest. The revived label was intended to operate with an independent-label profile while receiving support from Capitol and Caroline Distribution in distribution, radio promotion, and licensing. Piero Giramonti was placed in charge. The initial announced roster included TV on the Radio, Arthur Beatrice, Babes, Death Grips, The Olms, Together Pangea, White Lies, and Young & Sick. Morrissey and Charlotte OC were announced as signings in January 2014. Harvest consequently remains both a historic catalogue brand and a label platform used for selected contemporary releases, with the rights to its recordings distributed among different corporate owners and territorial entities.

• 2024

  Sony controls the Pink Floyd catalogue

  [1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Sony Music controls the Pink Floyd catalogue through Columbia Records following the end of the prior licensing and distribution arrangement.

• 2014

  Morrissey and Charlotte OC sign with Harvest

  [1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Harvest announces Morrissey and Charlotte OC among its signings during the post-relaunch period.

• 2013

  European catalogue is transferred to Warner Music Group

  [1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Following EMI’s acquisition by Universal Music Group, much of the European Harvest catalogue is divested through the Parlophone Label Group and acquired by Warner Music Group.

• 2013

  Capitol Music Group relaunches Harvest

  [1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Capitol Music Group revives Harvest as an independent-style label supported by Capitol and Caroline Distribution, with Piero Giramonti in charge.

• 1977

  Harvest releases a punk compilation

  [1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Roxy London WC2 (Jan–Apr 77) brings together emerging punk acts and becomes an important commercial signal for EMI’s evolving view of punk.

• 1975

  Harvest Heritage is launched

  [1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  EMI introduces Harvest Heritage as a sub-label primarily dedicated to reissuing and compiling catalogue material.

• 1973

  Pink Floyd moves United States releases to Columbia

  [1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  After the release of The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd’s United States relationship moves from Capitol’s Harvest operation to Columbia Records.

• 1969

  Harvest Records is founded

  [1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  EMI establishes Harvest as a specialist label focused on progressive and psychedelic rock. Malcolm Jones directs the initial operation, and Capitol distributes the label in North America.

• 1969

  Blue Thumb European licensing begins

  [1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Harvest becomes the European licensee for the American label Blue Thumb Records, an arrangement that continues through 1971.

An adventurous rock label originally positioned around progressive and psychedelic music, later extending into punk, post-punk, new wave, heavy rock, and alternative music.

• Rock albums and catalogue recordings · 1969

  Pink Floyd catalogue

  The Pink Floyd recordings associated with Harvest form the label’s best-known historical catalogue. Harvest was closely connected with the group’s British releases, while United States distribution later moved to Columbia Records. Rights and distribution have varied by territory and period.

• Hard rock albums · 1969

  Deep Purple catalogue

  Harvest released important Deep Purple material, particularly recordings made before 1971. The group helped broaden the label’s profile beyond progressive rock into heavier, album-oriented rock.

• Studio albums · 1969

  Progressive rock releases

  Harvest’s central 1970s offering consisted of ambitious progressive, psychedelic, art-rock, and avant-garde albums by artists such as Kevin Ayers, Barclay James Harvest, Be Bop Deluxe, Michael Chapman, Syd Barrett, The Move, and Roy Wood.

• Punk compilation · 1977

  The Roxy London WC2 (Jan–Apr 77)

  Produced by Mike Thorne, this compilation documented little-known punk groups performing at the Roxy in London. Its success helped persuade EMI that punk could have significant commercial value.

• Reissue imprint · 1975

  Harvest Heritage

  Harvest Heritage was introduced as a reissue and compilation sub-label. It repackaged Harvest recordings and sometimes issued archival or related material from artists who had not originally recorded for Harvest.

• Contemporary artist releases · 2013

  Contemporary Harvest roster

  After its 2013 relaunch, Harvest announced a roster including TV on the Radio, Arthur Beatrice, Babes, Death Grips, The Olms, Together Pangea, White Lies, and Young & Sick, followed by announcements involving Morrissey and Charlotte OC.

• 2013Harvest Records relaunch

  United States · International

  Capitol Music Group relaunched Harvest with an independent-label operating profile, using Capitol Music Group and Caroline Distribution for distribution, radio promotion, and licensing support.

  Outcome. A contemporary roster was announced, including TV on the Radio, Death Grips, White Lies, and other alternative and indie artists.

  Source
• 1977The Roxy London WC2 (Jan–Apr 77)

  United Kingdom · Europe

  Harvest used a compilation of emerging punk performances at London’s Roxy club to explore a new musical market beyond its established progressive-rock audience.

  Outcome. The compilation was commercially successful and contributed to EMI reconsidering its attitude toward punk.

  Source

• 2024

  Transfer of Pink Floyd catalogue control to SonyM&A

  Background

  The Pink Floyd catalogue had been distributed through territory-specific licensing arrangements after earlier changes in EMI-related ownership.

  Action taken

  Sony Music controlled the catalogue through Columbia Records after acquiring the remaining rights.

  Aftermath

  The Pink Floyd recordings became part of Sony’s Columbia-controlled catalogue rather than a uniformly Harvest-controlled asset.

  Source

• 2013

  Relaunch Harvest as an independent-style labelStrategy

  Background

  Capitol Music Group sought to reactivate the Harvest brand after its historic catalogue had become distributed among different corporate entities.

  Action taken

  Capitol Music Group relaunched Harvest with Piero Giramonti leading the label and with support from Capitol and Caroline Distribution.

  Aftermath

  The label announced a new roster spanning alternative rock, indie, experimental, and contemporary pop-oriented artists.

  Source

• 1975

  Launch Harvest HeritageStrategy

  Background

  EMI had accumulated a substantial Harvest catalogue and related historical rock recordings that could be repackaged for the reissue market.

  Action taken

  Harvest Heritage was created as a reissue-oriented sub-label.

  Aftermath

  The imprint compiled Harvest material and occasionally issued archival or related recordings.

  Source

• 1969

  Create a specialist progressive-rock imprintStrategy

  Background

  EMI faced competition from specialist labels and independent companies serving the expanding progressive and psychedelic rock audience.

  Action taken

  The company founded Harvest Records and placed it under the initial direction of Malcolm Jones.

  Aftermath

  Harvest became strongly associated with progressive rock and developed a catalogue including Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, and other major rock acts.

  Source

• 2024

  Sony assumes control of the Pink Floyd catalogue through Columbia Records[1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Sony Music controlled the Pink Floyd catalogue through Columbia Records after acquiring the remaining rights, following an earlier licensing arrangement involving Pink Floyd Records, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment.

• 2014

  Morrissey and Charlotte OC announced as Harvest Records signings[1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Other

  Harvest announced signings involving Morrissey and Charlotte OC during the period following its Capitol Music Group relaunch.

• 2013

  Capitol Music Group relaunches Harvest Records[1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Leadership change

  Capitol Music Group announced a relaunch of Harvest as an independent-style label supported by Capitol and Caroline Distribution. Piero Giramonti was appointed to lead the operation.

• 2013

  Warner Music Group acquires the divested European Harvest catalogue[1]Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Following Universal Music Group’s acquisition of EMI, part of the European catalogue associated with Harvest was divested through the Parlophone Label Group and acquired by Warner Music Group.

1. 1Harvest Recordsen.wikipedia.org