Jayrem Records

{{Short description|New Zealand record company}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2021}}

'''Jayrem Records''' is a New Zealand record company founded by James ('Jim') Moss in 1975 under the name '''Record and Cassette Distribution'''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=JAYREM RECORDS (1975-2011): The independence movement |url=https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absoluteelsewhere/4094/jayrem-records-1975-2011-the-independence-movement/ |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=Elsewhere by Graham Reid |date=21 April 2011 |language=en}}</ref> Moss changed the name to Jayrem Records in 1981 and released the first singles on that label in 1982.<ref name=":0" /> Moss stated at the time: "Musicians should write and play music, not waste time and talent running around trying to promote and sell. their records ... that's where people like myself can help out".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1 December 1982 |title=Rumours |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/RIU19821201.2.11 |journal=Rip It up |issue=65 |via=Paperspast}}</ref> Moss owned the Chelsea Records chain of record shops during the 1980s and was able to identify niche markets that weren't being catered for by other labels.<ref name=":0" /> Initially concentrating on alternative rock and indie music, the Wellington-based company was, for many years, the main rival to South Island based Flying Nun Records, and produced records which had a similar sound to its southern compatriot, though concentrating less on the Dunedin-sound groups which formed a major part of Flying Nun's repertoire. Jayrem's repertoire extended into Urban Pasifika and Māori music, as well as folk/roots and reggae. They also imported labels from overseas.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1 December 1985 |title=Records |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/RIU19851201.2.40 |journal=Rip It up |issue=101 |via=Paperspast}}</ref>

Over 200 albums have been released on the Jayrem label,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jayrem Records - Article {{!}} AudioCulture |url=https://www.audioculture.co.nz/labels/jayrem/articles/jayrem-records |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=www.audioculture.co.nz |language=en}}</ref> with notable releases from artists ranging from Upper Hutt Posse and Dalvanius Prime to Jordan Reyne and Cassandra's Ears.

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:New Zealand record labels Category:IFPI members