Sundazed Music
American independent record label specializing in archival reissues and historically significant recordings.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Sundazed Music is an American independent record label founded in 1989 by Bob Irwin and Mary Irwin and based in Coxsackie, New York. The label began with a strongly defined interest in 1960s surf, garage rock, psychedelic music, and related forms of American pop. Its early releases reflected Bob Irwin's enthusiasm for overlooked and under-documented recordings, but the company's activities grew into a broader archival music operation covering many genres, periods, formats, and catalog owners. The label's origins are closely connected to Bob Irwin's work restoring older vinyl recordings for the then relatively new compact-disc market. His restoration expertise brought him into contact with major record companies seeking to preserve and reissue material from their back catalogs. Irwin contributed to archival work associated with Sony Music's Legacy Records and also worked on early recordings by artists including Bob Dylan, Nancy Sinatra, and the Byrds. He spent time at Arista as well. This technical and historical background shaped Sundazed's emphasis on source tapes, mastering, restoration, contextual catalog research, and carefully prepared physical editions. Sundazed's first releases were The Great Lost Knickerbockers Album! by the Knickerbockers and Western Union by the Five Americans, both issued in 1989. The company subsequently developed a substantial catalog of reissues involving artists such as the Turtles, the Challengers, the Liverpool Five, and Jan and Dean. It also issued Jan and Dean's previously difficult-to-find concept album Save for a Rainy Day, reissued the catalog of New Orleans funk pioneers the Meters, and expanded into country, jazz, soul, garage, psychedelic, surf, folk-rock, and other areas. Its country activity included extensive reissues of Capitol Records albums by Buck Owens and recordings associated with Jimmy Bryant, while its Euphoria imprint was used for vintage jazz-guitar material. The label operates through a combination of licensing, direct artist or estate relationships, and catalog ownership. Sundazed has licensed recordings from major rights holders including Universal Music Group, Sony, and Rhino, while also working directly with musicians, managers, estates, and independent catalog owners. Over time, it acquired or obtained control of a number of smaller catalogs and tape archives, including Golden State Recorders material, Edison International recordings, Best Records, United International, Cedwicke, Wickwire, Garland Records, the Shiloh Records catalog, and an extensive Kay Bank Studios tape archive. These transactions strengthened its position as an archival specialist rather than simply a contemporary release label. Its reissue program has included historically important and cult recordings such as Skip Spence's Oar, material by the Pyramids and the Revels, the Columbia albums of Moby Grape, and previously unreleased Columbia sessions by Love. The Moby Grape campaign also demonstrated the legal and rights-management difficulties that can accompany archival work: Sundazed withdrew the first three reissued albums after disputes involving former manager Matthew Katz. Sundazed has also created specialized imprints to address particular formats or musical communities. In 2015, following a conversation between Bob Irwin and Kentucky Headhunters guitarist Greg Martin about an older instrumental recording, the company established Sundazed RFD, devoted to instrumental 45 RPM singles. Other imprints associated with the company's expanded activity include Modern Harmonic, Americana Anthropology, Beat Rocket, Dot Matrix Recordings, and Liberty Spike Recordings. Together, these labels extend Sundazed's reach across more decades and genres while retaining its central identity as a preservation-oriented, archival record company.
History
Sundazed Music was established in 1989 by Bob Irwin and his wife Mary in Coxsackie, New York. Its initial identity was built around the rediscovery and preservation of 1960s surf, garage, and psychedelic recordings. Bob Irwin's technical expertise preceded the label: he restored older vinyl recordings for the compact-disc market, work that attracted the attention of larger record companies seeking reliable archival transfers and remastering. He assisted with material connected to Sony Music's Legacy Records and worked on early recordings by Bob Dylan, Nancy Sinatra, and the Byrds. He also had professional experience at Arista. The label's first two releases were The Great Lost Knickerbockers Album! by the Knickerbockers and Western Union by the Five Americans. Sundazed then developed a catalog of reissues centered on neglected or historically notable music, including releases by the Turtles, the Challengers, the Liverpool Five, Jan and Dean, the Pyramids, and the Revels. Its work was not limited to individual albums: the company also reconstructed larger bodies of work, including the complete LP catalog of the Meters, the New Orleans funk group, on vinyl and compact disc. During the 1990s and 2000s, Sundazed widened its scope beyond its original surf and garage emphasis. It issued country reissues, including Capitol Records albums by Buck Owens and recordings associated with Jimmy Bryant, and used its Euphoria label for vintage jazz-guitar material. The company also became involved in the restoration and re-release of albums that had acquired cult status, including Skip Spence's Oar in 1999. In 2009 it worked with Morly Grey on a reissue of The Only Truth and released previously unavailable Columbia sessions by Love. A major part of Sundazed's development involved rights licensing and catalog acquisition. The company licensed recordings from Universal Music Group, Sony, Rhino, and other rights holders, while also negotiating directly with artists, estates, managers, and independent owners. In 1995 it acquired the Jan and Dean album Save for a Rainy Day from Dean Torrence. In 1996 it acquired the master recordings of Golden State Recorders. In 2000 it acquired the Edison International label and recordings connected with the Music Emporium, Abnak Records, the Five Americans, Bobby Patterson, and Jon and Robin. In 2002 it acquired the Best Records, United International, Cedwicke, and Wickwire catalogs, including recordings by the Pyramids and the Daisy Chain. Archival reissue work also exposed the legal complexity of historical catalogs. Sundazed reissued albums by Moby Grape that had originally appeared through Columbia, but the first three albums had to be withdrawn after legal disputes involving former manager Matthew Katz. The company continued to pursue other difficult-to-access material, including planned work involving the Pyramids and the Revels, in cooperation with producers, managers, original members, and rights holders. In 2015, Sundazed introduced Sundazed RFD, an imprint dedicated to instrumental 45 RPM recordings. The project grew from a discussion between Bob Irwin and Greg Martin about the older instrumental track Groovy Grubworm. Early RFD releases included Groovy Grubworm by Harlow Wilcox and the Oakies, Shark Country by the SloBeats, and The Lonely Bull by the East Nashville Teens. The company continued to expand its archival holdings in the late 2010s and early 2020s. In 2019 it acquired Salem, Oregon-based Garland Records. In 2021 it obtained exclusive rights to the Shiloh Records catalog, including Safe At Home by the International Submarine Band and recordings by the Kentucky Colonels. That year it also purchased a substantial tape archive from Kay Bank Studios, supporting its work with the Trashmen. In 2018, the label was reported to be preparing reissues of Mike Nesmith's three First National Band albums: Magnetic South, Loose Salute, and Nevada Fighter. Alongside Sundazed's core catalog, associated imprints such as Modern Harmonic, Americana Anthropology, Beat Rocket, Dot Matrix Recordings, and Liberty Spike Recordings have broadened its genre and period coverage. Sundazed's continuing role is therefore that of an independent archival music house combining restoration, physical reissue, licensing, catalog stewardship, and specialist label development.
- 2021
Shiloh Records rights obtained
[1]Sundazed acquires exclusive rights to the Shiloh Records catalog, including recordings by the International Submarine Band and Kentucky Colonels.
- 2021
Kay Bank Studios tape archive acquired
[1]The company purchases an extensive Kay Bank Studios tape archive to support its work with the Trashmen.
- 2019
Garland Records acquired
[1]Sundazed purchases Garland Records, a label based in Salem, Oregon.
- 2015
Sundazed RFD is introduced
[1]The label launches an imprint devoted to instrumental 45 RPM recordings.
- 2009
Morly Grey and Love archival releases
[1]Sundazed reissues Morly Grey's The Only Truth and releases long-unavailable Columbia sessions by Love.
- 2002
Several independent catalogs acquired
[1]The company acquires the Best Records, United International, Cedwicke, and Wickwire catalogs.
- 2000
Edison International catalog acquired
[1]Sundazed acquires Edison International and recordings linked to the Music Emporium and Abnak Records.
- 1999
Oar is reissued
[1]Sundazed issues a re-release of Skip Spence's influential album Oar.
- 1996
Golden State Recorders masters acquired
[1]The company purchases the master recordings associated with Golden State Recorders.
- 1995
Save for a Rainy Day catalog acquired
[1]Sundazed acquires the Jan and Dean concept album Save for a Rainy Day from Dean Torrence.
Products and positioning
An independent archival record label focused on restoring, documenting, licensing, acquiring, and physically reissuing historically important music across surf, garage, psychedelic, country, funk, jazz, folk-rock, and other genres.
Vinyl records · 1989
Archival vinyl reissues
Sundazed's core output includes restored and remastered vinyl editions of historically significant albums and singles. The catalog covers surf, garage, psychedelic, country, funk, folk-rock, jazz, and other genres, often drawing on licensed masters, artist relationships, estates, or catalogs acquired by the company.
Compact discs · 1989
Compact disc reissues
Compact discs were central to Sundazed's original archival mission, reflecting Bob Irwin's experience restoring older vinyl recordings for the CD market. These releases commonly present remastered albums, expanded editions, compilations, or previously unavailable material.
Instrumental 45 RPM singles · 2015
Sundazed RFD
Sundazed RFD is a subsidiary label created for instrumental 45 RPM recordings. Its early releases included Groovy Grubworm by Harlow Wilcox and the Oakies, Shark Country by the SloBeats, and The Lonely Bull by the East Nashville Teens.
Archival album reissues · 2018
First National Band reissues
Sundazed prepared reissues of Mike Nesmith's three First National Band albums: Magnetic South, Loose Salute, and Nevada Fighter. The recordings originally appeared on RCA Victor after The Monkees television series ended and feature Nesmith with John Ware, John London, and O.J. 'Red' Rhodes.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2021
Expansion of archival rights and tape holdingsM&ABackground
Sundazed continued to expand its source material and catalog control through independent rights transactions.
Action taken
The company obtained exclusive rights to the Shiloh Records catalog and purchased an extensive Kay Bank Studios tape archive.
Aftermath
The acquisitions broadened the label's archival resources, including material connected with the International Submarine Band, the Kentucky Colonels, and the Trashmen.
2015
Creation of Sundazed RFDProduct launchBackground
Bob Irwin and Greg Martin shared an interest in the older instrumental recording Groovy Grubworm and discussed creating a dedicated outlet for similar material.
Action taken
Sundazed launched Sundazed RFD as an imprint focused exclusively on instrumental 45 RPM recordings.
Aftermath
The imprint gave Sundazed a specialized format and genre platform for instrumental singles.
2000
Acquisition of Edison International and associated recordingsM&ABackground
Sundazed expanded beyond licensing individual titles by acquiring the Edison International label and recordings associated with the Music Emporium and Abnak Records.
Action taken
The company purchased the label and related catalog assets, adding recordings by the Five Americans, Bobby Patterson, Jon and Robin, and other artists.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Sundazed's role as an owner and steward of independent archival catalogs.
Sources1 sources
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