The Melankolic label was launched in September 1996. The first release from the label, whose name is inspired by the band's motto of "glad to be sad," was Skylarking: The Best Of Horace Andy, a compilation of reggae hits by the respected dub artist who guested as a vocalist on Massive Attack's Blue Lines and Protection albums.
"Massive Attack wanted to start a label to release things other than their own [work], which would have a similar style and direction to their own material," said David Balfour of Virgin Records U.K.
Regarding why the label is being distributed by Caroline in the U.S., instead of the band's Virgin label, Balfour says, "We deal with Caroline for many of our acts in the U.S. I don't know if Virgin refused to take it or if it was offered to Caroline. I'm not really too aware of the politics of U.S. record companies."
Melankolic is wholly owned by Massive Attack and maintains a separate U.K. office. The band's managers, Marc Picken and Tim Clark, serve as label directors, while day-to-day supervision is handled by James Sully.

Dot Music: Mon 22 Sep 1997 16:05
MELANKOLIC - SERVING UP A COCKTAIL
Unlike some acts who turn up on artists' labels, those on Massive Attack's Melankolic are receiving much critical acclaim. Atmospheric Bristol band Alpha's debut album Come From Heaven was described by Melody Maker as "the very essence and alchemy of love given voice in music" while veteran reggae star Horace Andy was voted one of Mojo's Top 100 voices in history.

Classical composer Craig Armstrong's orchestral work on everything from Massive Attack's Protection to the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack and to his forthcoming album The Space Between Us ­hyped as the orchestral album of the Nineties ­has consistently received praise and awards. And everyone is raving about the forthcoming work from Melankolic's new signing Lewis Parker, calling him one of the most important hip hop artists of the year. In a way, the four signings represent the cocktail of Massive Attack's own music ­old school reggae, cinematic, trip hop and rap ­although Virgin joint managing director Ashley Newton, who signed them, says that is a coincidence.

He explains, "They've spoken about the concept of of having a label for ages. Their music sounds like how they run their lives ­this cool, determined, minimalistic existence ­but they are taking this label really seriously. Their businesslike approach is down to their manager, Marc Picken, who has brought structure to their lives and changed the way they approach things, although they'll keep creating." Picken, who has run the Virgin offshoot since its conception two years ago, says Massive Attack's members themselves are central to the label. "The boys don't only deal with the A&R," says Picken. "They have a hand in most aspects of Melankolic's projects. Their real strength is being able to communicate on an artist-to-artist basis, in terms of both music and business, which most A&R men can't do. They are particularly close to Alpha, who they know from Bristol. Also, Mushroom (Massive Attack's DJ) has helped Lewis a lot because both are hip hop heads."

Although Melankolic was initially launched so Massive Attack could continue working relationships with artists who had contributed to their own music (Andy is a regular guest vocalist, while Armstrong did orchestral arrangements on Protection), Picken says the label has no stipulated sound. Picken says, "The only thing we look for in an artist is their potential to develop on the label. That is where our interest lies at present, whether we're talking about a kid like Lewis, who has only ever put out a couple of singles, or a legend like Horace, who has a career both behind and in front of him." The label concentrates on signing musicians who work outside the mainstream but who they believe could be hugely commercial, given sufficient time and support.

"We don't want to sign some radio-friendly singles band because we don't find that a challenge. We'll leave it to the majors to discover the next Oasis," adds Picken. Scottish composer Craig Armstrong, who has worked with U2 and Madonna as well as scoring soundtrack music for Goldeneye and Romeo & Juliet, admits that he had no plans to put out solo material until he was approached by Melankolic. His album, The Space Between Us, out next month, closely follows the label's recent release of Come From Heaven, the debut album from Alpha.

"My music for Melankolic has a very filmic feel," says Armstrong. "It's an extension of the more abstract work I did with Massive Attack. The band likes my dark, romantic stuff. I recorded 30 tracks in total, then Marc and Massive chose the the ones they liked best." The first act outside Massive Attack's immediate orbit to be signed to Melankolic is Lewis Parker. "The band had hip hop in their music but, before me, not on the label," says Parker. "I see that as the connection. Also, my hip hop is quite vibey and easy-going, which fits with the Massive philosophy." Parker is scheduled to release a series of mini albums over the next 12 months.

"Over the past two years, I have recorded 40 tracks which were meant to come out as a concept album," he says. "Virgin didn't like that idea. They want to see how the first few tunes do before putting out all the material." Melankolic's future plans also include a move into film soundtracks (possibly for Armstrong's second solo album) and the release next year of at least two compilation albums (working title, Legends Of The Sound System) which trace Massive Attack's Eighties influences. Picken also hopes to establish an artist development arm of the label. "Our present deal with Virgin does not enable us to offer new artists development money," he says.

"That is an advantage that the majors have over us and something we are looking into." Alongside their experience and reputation, Massive Attack can now also offer Melankolic acts studio time in Bristol. The band have finally completed building their own studio, where they recently recorded and produced their third album, due out in January. Massive's own material will continue to come out on Virgin. "We felt it would be a bit patronising to the acts on the label to be in Massive's shadow," says Picken. "There is a link to the band, but these are very much the artists' own projects." Massive maintaining a distance may well prove a wise move. One overseas distributor has already requested that the label supply a signed photo of the band for every Melankolic album sold. Not too cool at all.