>> Kajmere Sound
bio: In late 2002, in the midst of a music business downsizing and downloading frenzy, in the face of major labels losing touch with their support base, the Kajmere Sound Founders decided to embark on a journey to establish a progressive independent label.
One of the Kajmere Sound Founders, Carlos "Loslito" Guaico, a working musician (who produced and co-wrote with Black Eyed Peas, Kim Hill and Ozomatli), realized that in order to be heard in the current music landscape, one must take initiative. Disillusioned with industry politics, Loslito ventured into event promotions for six years, nurturing various music sub-cultures in Los Angeles, including: "The Root Down", "MORE Fridays", "Bounce Rock Skate", and the annual "Thanks Givends Benefit" event, among many others. These influential clubs became the first stop for up-and-coming artists to pave their own road, to a progressive independent future. Jurassic 5, Black Eyed Peas, DJ Shadow, Macy Gray, Blackalicious, and Breakestra, would be but a few of the names that got their start in this enduring L.A. movement. As the club movement grew, Loslito was also performing around the world with Breakestra. He was often hiding out in back rooms developing his idea for creating the quintessential soul band, The Rebirth. After years of playing and promoting clubs, Loslito believed that the time was right to take a risk — record one song by the group, release it as the first Kajmere Sound Recordings title to the tastemakers of the soul world, that he was now tight with through the club network, and see what they had to say. Originally only released on a CD single, the track "This Journey In," was immediately championed by King Britt and licensed for inclusion on the Japanese compilation, "Black to the Future". Gilles Peterson, hearing "This Journey In" on King’s comp, started airing the song on his Worldwide program in London, then licensed it for HIS compilation "Trust The DJ 4". The ball was officially rolling for The Rebirth and the band’s new record label, Kajmere Sound Recordings. Joseph Davidian, an entrepreneur and friend of Loslito, had observed the beginnings of the project and recognized the potential of this multifaceted small business that was being built. With his pledge of partnership, the "project” became a company; and with Davidian's initial investment, Kajmere Sound had officially opened its doors and produced its first three releases: 12" singles for The Rebirth, Strange Fruit Project, and Motion Lab.
What Kajmere Sound has created is not groundbreaking or new; but Kajmere has systematically adapted its methodology to today's changing mind-set, creating a new paradigm for an uncertain climate.
Structured as a partner to the artist, the company allows artists to view the process firsthand to have a better understanding of what "activity" truly costs and the time it takes to accomplish the goals. At the end of the day, artists truly do not want to be inundated with the details, they want to create; but this openness embodies something of even higher value—trust.
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