MUSIC WEEK, 9 SEPTEMBER 1995

Label launch heralds PWL's A&R network

The move, which centres around the launch of a new label, Coliseum Records in Manchester, will see a new 750,000 state-of-the-art recording studio being built in the city.

PWL will also install around 6,000 pounds worth of sampler and keyboard equipment in its existing six shops, and open them up to new talent around the UK.

PWL chairman Pete Waterman says new producers or bands discovered through the shops will be given the opportunity to work on further material at PWL in London or the new studio complex in Manchester. Currently under construction, the set-up will include a programming suite, rehearsal rooms and two studio areas.

"Record producers are the meat and potatoes of the business and along with the shops we want budding producers or artists to have the facilities on their doorsteps," he says.

Waterman says eventually he hopes to extend the concept by expanding to around 24 shops nation-wide, which will act as A&R bases with access to local PWL studios. As part of this scheme he is currently examining the feasibility of two further studio sites.

The launch coincides with the arrival of remixer Johnny Jay as joint head of dance A&R for PWL International. Jay, who will co-ordinate Coliseum Records, believes the initiative is unique. "A project of this size has never been attempted before and I'm confident it will boost PWL's strength and influence in the music industry beyond belief," he says.

Jay, who has remixed tracks by artists including Urban Cookie Collective, Rednex and East 17, will share the head of dance title with Eastern Bloc label manager John Barratt.

Coliseum, which will act as an umbrella imprint for the other two shop-based labels, Eastern Bloc and Shindig, will have a broad musical range incorporating rock, pop, house and garage.

But Waterman says it will give the group access to rock and guitar bands not yet serviced by its stable of eight pop and dance labels. "You've got to be on the scene, but we've never had a way of getting into the boy bands market before," he says.

PWL is a joint venture company with Warner Music. Founder Waterman sold a stake to the company in November 1992.