Avatar Records (Electronic)

Avatar Records is a Tel Aviv-based independent record label and digital distributor specializing in electronic music, providing music to online retailers including Apple's iTunes Music Store, and Beatport.[1] The company was founded by Avichay Avigal and Peter Eibenschutz in 1997.[2] The label initially had an alliance with NMC Music, when it first started as its subsidiary.[3] Later, Avatar was in collaboration with BNE, before finally becoming a fully independent label.[4]

Avatar Records
Founded1997
FounderAvichay Avigal, Peter Eibenschutz
Distributor(s)Avatar Records
Ingrooves / Universal
Eighth Note (IL)
Arabesque (UK)
Wakyo (Japan)
Virgin (India)
EQ (Singapore / Malaysia)
GenreElectronic music, Psytrance, Goa trance, Ambient, Chillout, Lounge, Yoga
Country of originIsrael, Morocco
Official websitewww.avatar-music.com www.avatar-records.com

Projects released on Avatar include albums from Asia 2001, Goa Gil,[5] Nimba,[5] The Nommos,[5] Electric Universe, Toi Doi, Thomas Leer, Lumen, Ocelot, Pete Namlook & Mixmaster Morris, Jupiter 8000, Overdream, Enichkin, Celtic Cross, Becoming.Intense & Pharmacore, Prana, Sandman, GMS, Hux Flux, Orion, Indoor, The Infinity Project, Cydonia, Synchro, Psychoz, Astropilot, Elysium, Reflex.[6] and more.

History

Early years: 1997 - 2003

During its first years, Avatar focused on releases from big names. Later, it became more interested in discovering new names. Names like Toi Doi, Overdream, Psychoz and Astropilot have all started with Avatar.[6]

Avatar was the first label to release psychedelic trance music locally in India, Mexico and Poland.[7][8]

Later years: 2004 - present

In 2004, Avatar had its entire catalogue available on The Orchard, and this remained so until the bankruptcy of BNE, and was followed by a lawsuit of Avatar against BNE.[9]

In 2008, Avatar became a fully independent label, and signed a digital deal with Ingrooves/Fontana.

Notable releases
  • Asia 2001 - Ama Zone, the first Avatar release. Also released by Sony Music under Goa 2001, it was the first psychedelic trance release in India.[7]
  • Thomas Leer - Conversation Peace (half of the duo Act with Claudia Brücken from Propaganda)[10][11][12]
  • GMS - Chaos Laboratory
  • X-Dream - We Created Our Own Happiness
  • The Kumba Mela Experiment - East Of River Ganges album [13]
  • Retrodelic Vibes series, considered the unofficial bible of psytrance music[14]
  • Goa Gil - Karmageddon
  • Toi Doi - Technologic
  • Indoor - Progressive Trance (the Beatles of Israeli trance) [15]

Avatar Sublabels

Avatar Spirit

Avatar Spirit is the Chillout and Lounge label of Avatar. In addition it releases Yoga and Café music from India, Morocco, The Middle East, Arabia and The Orient.[6]

ProFile

ProFile is the classics label of Avatar, with releases of special versions and remastered golden albums from Tsuyoshi Suzuki, Goa Gil,[5] Asia 2001, Orion, Pete Namlook, Indoor, Sandman, Space Cat, The Infinity Project, Total Eclipse, Celtic Cross, GMS, X-Dream, Hux Flux, The Kumba Mela Experiment, Echo System, and Elysium and more.[6]

Trans'pact

Established in 1992 with its sub labels Doss House and Subliminal Records.

Past and present artists

References
  1. Frontpage Magazine, Germany July 1996, Tel Aviv Special (p. 50-54)
  2. Billboard International Buyers Guide, 2004 (p. 220)
  3. Yediot Aharonot / 7 Leylot, Feb 8 2001, "The Electronic Tendency" by Amos Oren (p. 2)
  4. "Avatar (ISRAEL)". TECHNO.TO (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  5. GoaHead Book Les annees folles, by Penny Ohana, 2010
  6. "Discogs". Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  7. Herald Tribune / Herald Friends, India, March 8, 1999, "Get Into A Trance"
  8. Trance iT Magazine, Mexico, April/May 2007 (p. 4)
  9. Time Out Tel Aviv, July 2007, "From Karahana to Nirvana" (p. 112)
  10. "Thomas Leer Biography". Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  11. "Thomas Leer - Act". Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  12. "Thomas Leer on BBC". Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  13. "The Kumba Mela Experiment, Review". Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  14. "Retrodelic Vibes, Beatport". Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  15. "Indoor - Progressive Trance, Review, Isratrance". Retrieved 26 October 2013.
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