Kama Sutra Records

Kama Sutra Records was an American record label that emerged from a New York music-production business founded in 1964 by Artie Ripp, Hy Mizrahi, and Phil Steinberg. The business initially operated as Kama Sutra Productions, reflecting a production-oriented model rather than a conventional label structure. In 1965, Art Kass joined the enterprise, and the Kama Sutra record label was established. The label became associated with the pop and rock market of the mid-1960s, particularly the softer, melodic side of contemporary music. Its roster and releases included acts such as The Lovin' Spoonful and The Critters, helping give the company visibility during a period when independent labels and artist-focused production companies played an important role in the American recording industry. Kama Sutra's early commercial structure relied on outside distribution. From 1965 through 1969, MGM Records distributed the label's releases. This arrangement gave Kama Sutra access to the infrastructure of a larger music company while allowing it to maintain an independent identity and develop its own repertoire. Beginning in 1969, distribution was handled through Buddah Records, a company co-owned by Art Kass. The change linked Kama Sutra more closely to a broader independent-label network and reflected the evolving business relationships among American record companies during the late 1960s. The original Kama Sutra operation continued into the 1970s but ceased in the middle of 1976. Its history did not end with the closure of the original label. In 1981, Art Kass restarted the business under the name Sutra Records. The later company operated as a label and distributor, marketing or distributing releases associated with Fever Records, Blue Dog Records, Baila Records, and Becket Records. It also signed or recorded a range of performers, including the Cover Girls, Gene Vincent, the Fat Boys, and Victor Willis. This later phase therefore extended beyond the soft-rock and pop profile most closely associated with the 1960s Kama Sutra imprint, reaching dance, hip-hop, rock-and-roll, and other commercial genres. Sutra Records ultimately filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1993. The two catalog periods are now treated separately. The Kama Sutra recordings released between 1965 and 1976 are owned by Sony Music Entertainment and managed through Legacy Recordings. The later Sutra catalog from 1981 to 1993 is controlled by Unidisc Music, apart from the Fat Boys material. Kama Sutra Records is consequently a defunct historical label whose continuing importance rests on its 1960s repertoire, its relationship with Buddah Records, and the later catalog legacy created through the Sutra successor operation.

Kama Sutra Records began in 1964 as Kama Sutra Productions, a New York music-production company founded by Artie Ripp, Hy Mizrahi, and Phil Steinberg. The company adopted a production-house structure at the outset, and its name referred to the ancient Sanskrit text known as the Kama Sutra. The enterprise developed into a record-label operation in 1965, when Art Kass joined the company. This transition placed the business in the growing field of independent American labels serving the pop and rock market. The label's best-known period was the 1960s. Kama Sutra became identified with accessible pop, rock, and soft-rock recordings and was associated with artists including The Lovin' Spoonful and The Critters. Rather than building a fully independent national distribution system, the company used relationships with larger or better-connected industry partners. MGM Records distributed Kama Sutra releases from 1965 to 1969. After that agreement ended, distribution shifted to Buddah Records, which was co-owned by Art Kass. The Buddah relationship connected Kama Sutra to a wider independent-label infrastructure during the label's later 1960s and early 1970s activity. The original label continued operating into the 1970s, but its activity ended in mid-1976. Art Kass later revived the business in 1981 under the name Sutra Records. The successor was not simply a continuation of the original label's 1960s sound. Sutra marketed and distributed several other labels, including Fever Records, Blue Dog Records, Baila Records, and Becket Records, and it signed or recorded performers such as the Cover Girls, Gene Vincent, the Fat Boys, and Victor Willis. Its repertoire and business scope therefore extended across multiple genres and commercial markets. Sutra Records remained active until it filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1993. The historical catalog was subsequently divided by period and ownership. Sony Music Entertainment owns the Kama Sutra releases issued from 1965 through 1976, with Legacy Recordings managing that catalog. Unidisc Music controls the 1981–1993 Sutra catalog, except for recordings by the Fat Boys. The brand is now defunct, but its recordings remain part of the continuing catalog business operated by larger rights holders and reissue specialists.

• 1993

  Chapter 7 bankruptcy

  [1]Kama Sutra Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Sutra Records filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, ending the successor operation.

• 1981

  Sutra Records revival

  [1]Kama Sutra Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Art Kass restarted the business as Sutra Records, with a broader marketing, distribution, and recording role.

• 1976

  Original label ceased operations

  [1]Kama Sutra Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The original Kama Sutra operation ended in mid-1976.

• 1969

  Distribution moved to Buddah Records

  [1]Kama Sutra Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Distribution was transferred to co-owned Buddah Records after the MGM relationship ended.

• 1965

  Record label launched

  [1]Kama Sutra Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Art Kass joined the company and Kama Sutra began operating as a record label.

• 1965

  MGM Records distribution began

  [1]Kama Sutra Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  MGM Records distributed Kama Sutra releases under an arrangement that continued through 1969.

• 1964

  Kama Sutra Productions founded

  [1]Kama Sutra Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Artie Ripp, Hy Mizrahi, and Phil Steinberg founded the New York production company that preceded the record label.

An independent American record label and production operation focused initially on pop, rock, and soft rock, later expanding through the Sutra Records successor into dance, hip-hop, rock-and-roll, and other commercial recordings.

• Singles · 1965

  Kama Sutra singles

  The label's singles were its principal vehicle for entering the 1960s pop and rock market. Kama Sutra releases were distributed first by MGM Records and later through Buddah Records, giving the independent imprint access to broader retail and radio networks.

• Albums · 1965

  Kama Sutra albums

  Kama Sutra issued album recordings during its original 1965–1976 period, with a repertoire associated with pop, rock, and soft rock. The surviving catalog is now owned by Sony Music Entertainment and managed by Legacy Recordings.

• Multi-genre recordings and label distribution · 1981

  Sutra Records catalog

  The successor operation, active from 1981 to 1993, marketed and distributed material connected with Fever Records, Blue Dog Records, Baila Records, and Becket Records. Its activities included recordings involving the Cover Girls, Gene Vincent, the Fat Boys, and Victor Willis.

• 1993

  Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcyOther

  Background

  Sutra Records had operated as the successor to the original Kama Sutra business since 1981.

  Action taken

  The company filed for protection under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.

  Aftermath

  The later catalog was separated from the original Kama Sutra catalog and is controlled by Unidisc Music, except for the Fat Boys material.

  Source

• 1981

  Revived the business as Sutra RecordsStrategy

  Background

  The original Kama Sutra operation had ceased in 1976, but Art Kass later resumed the business under a new name.

  Action taken

  Sutra Records was launched with label marketing, distribution, and artist-recording activities.

  Aftermath

  The successor broadened the repertoire beyond the original label's 1960s pop and soft-rock profile before later entering bankruptcy.

  Source

• 1969

  Changed distribution from MGM Records to Buddah RecordsStrategy

  Background

  The initial MGM Records distribution arrangement ran from 1965 through 1969.

  Action taken

  Kama Sutra shifted distribution to Buddah Records, a company co-owned by Art Kass.

  Aftermath

  The label continued within a more closely connected independent-label and distribution network.

  Source

• 1965

  Established a dedicated record-label operationStrategy

  Background

  Kama Sutra began as a production company and expanded into label activity after Art Kass joined the business.

  Action taken

  The company launched the Kama Sutra label to issue and market recordings under its own imprint.

  Aftermath

  The move created the operating identity associated with the label's 1960s pop and rock catalog.

  Source

1. 1Kama Sutra Recordsen.wikipedia.org