Motown's Tamla Records to return with new artists and ‘positive, life-changing music'
One of the most iconic brands in the Motown universe is getting a revival.
Tamla Records — once the pipeline for entrepreneur Berry Gordy's earliest releases out of Detroit — is being reactivated by Capitol Music Group, Motown's corporate parent for the past decade.
The new Tamla will be based in Nashville and overseen by Motown Gospel Senior Vice President Walter Thomas, who said Wednesday the label 'has always been a beacon of innovation, quality and artistry.'
'Now, under the Motown Gospel umbrella, we have the opportunity to continue this legacy while pushing the boundaries of what Christian music can be,' Thomas said in a statement. 'Our mission is simple: to uplift the voices of artists who are creating positive, life-changing music.'
The West Grand Boulevard-based Tamla Records was launched by Gordy in 1959 as he began to build what ultimately became one of the world's biggest independent music empires. He had named the label in tribute to the 1957 pop hit 'Tammy' by Debbie Reynolds, and Tamla was the main conduit for early releases by artists such as Barrett Strong, the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and the Supremes.
For fans overseas — where all of the company's records were long issued under "Tamla Motown" — the brand is even more familiar.
The Tamla name fell dormant in the 1980s as new releases were consolidated under the broader Motown Records banner.
Music at the revived Tamla will span pop, R&B, gospel and other genres, and early signees include Emmanuel Da Prophet, Childlike CiCi and Jordan L'oreal.
Rodney Jerkins, best known for his hit production and songwriting with artists such as Beyoncé, Brandy and Mary J. Blige, has been named as the label's producer and partner.
'Berry Gordy built Tamla on the principles of artist development, excellence and music that moves people," Jerkins said in a news release. 'That vision still stands today, and we are proud to continue carrying it forward as we launch this new chapter.'
Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Motown's Tamla Records revived for 'positive, life-changing music'
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