Color Red Music

What Color Red Music does

Color Red Music is an independent record label founded in 2018 in Denver, Colorado by Eddie Roberts, guitarist of The New Mastersounds. The label specializes in funk, soul, jazz, blues, rock, afrobeat, and reggae, with a catalog of more than 100 vinyl products spanning LPs, EPs, singles, CDs, curated box sets (including the Rare Sounds series), and branded merchandise. Its core technology is a Shopify-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at color-red.com, augmented by digital distribution to Spotify and Apple Music and a network of curated playlists. The roster includes legacy and contemporary artists such as The New Mastersounds, The Breaks, Soulive, George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners, The Headhunters, Polyrhythmics, Freekbass, and Grammy-nominated MonoNeon; Color Red has also developed international recording partnerships, notably with Floki Studios in Iceland and Eleven Music Experience.

Color Red operates a hybrid business model combining transactional physical-media sales and a recurring subscription component. One-off revenue comes from individual vinyl record sales priced roughly $15-$50 per LP, CDs at $10-$15, merchandise at $12-$62 per item, and premium box sets priced $60-$299. Recurring revenue comes from the Color Red Vinyl Club subscription at $30/month with 3-month ($81) and 6-month ($153) prepay options, offering a 15% sitewide discount, early access to releases, exclusive member offers, and a free LP on signup. Distribution channels include the proprietary e-commerce storefront with global shipping, digital streaming platforms, and a wholesale program for retailers. Marketing is primarily organic social (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), email newsletters to subscribers, and curated Spotify playlists, with brand credibility derived from Roberts' 25+ years of industry relationships.

The company serves two primary customer segments: independent funk, soul, and jazz artists seeking label services for vinyl production, distribution, and promotion with artist-friendly terms, and music collectors and enthusiasts who value high-quality physical media and want to directly support independent artists. Geographic reach is concentrated in North America with growing European activity through Iceland and UK partnerships. As of the most recent data, Color Red has 7 employees, no disclosed external funding, and operates as a privately held, founder-controlled business.

Name

Color Red Music

Legal name

Color Red Music

Website

https://color-red.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Color Red Music is an independent Denver-based record label founded in 2018 by Eddie Roberts, specializing in vinyl releases, CDs, merchandise, and a subscription Vinyl Club for funk, soul, jazz, and related genres, serving independent artists and music collectors worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Record Label

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225)

SIC

Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652), Retail-Record & Prerecorded Tape Stores (5735)

akta.pro primary industry

Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Creator/Artist Direct-to-Fan Streaming & Membership (MPAIACAF)

Keywords

• Independent record label
• Vinyl record sales
• Music subscription service
• Funk soul jazz music
• Physical music media

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Vinyl Record Sales: Direct sales of vinyl records (LPs, EPs, singles) through the company's e-commerce platform. Products range from standard albums to limited edition color vinyl and box sets. One-time purchase model with prices ranging from $15 to $50+ per LP.
2. Vinyl Club Subscription: Monthly subscription service ($30/month) delivering curated vinyl records to members. Includes 15% discount on all products, early access to releases, exclusive member offers, and free 12 LP with signup. Pre-pay options available for 3-month ($81) and 6-month ($153) packages.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and mugs. Unit pricing ranging from $12 to $62.
4. CD Sales: Sale of compact disc releases at price points typically between $10-$15 per album.
5. Vinyl Box Sets: Premium bundled vinyl releases including curated box sets like the Rare Sounds series ($97-$299) and genre-themed bundles like the Shades of Funk bundle ($110).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Color Red Music is an independent record label that produces, distributes, and sells physical music media—primarily vinyl LPs, CDs, and themed box sets—directly to consumers through its Shopify-powered e-commerce platform. The label also operates the Color Red Vinyl Club, a recurring monthly subscription that delivers curated vinyl records with member discounts and exclusive early access to releases. Founded in 2018 in Denver, CO, the label specializes in funk, soul, jazz, blues, rock, afrobeat, and reggae genres and has built a roster of hundreds of independent artists.

Product overview

Color Red Music is an independent record label founded in 2018 by Eddie Roberts in Denver, CO, specializing in funk, soul, jazz, blues, rock, afrobeat, reggae, and related genres. The company's product portfolio centers on physical music media—primarily vinyl records and CDs sold through its e-commerce platform—with the Color Red Vinyl Club as the flagship subscription service offering monthly curated releases at discounted prices. Additional offerings include themed vinyl box sets (such as the Rare Sounds series), branded merchandise, and digital music streaming through integrated platforms. The ecosystem is designed to connect music fans directly with independent artists, providing artists with a platform for distribution while offering fans high-quality physical music products and exclusive access through the subscription club.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vinyl Records High-quality vinyl LP records featuring funk, soul, jazz, blues, rock, reggae, afrobeat, and electronic music from independent artists. Available in standard albums, double LPs, EPs, singles, and limited-edition color vinyl formats. Sold directly to music collectors and fans through the color-red.com e-commerce storefront.
• Color Red Vinyl Club A monthly vinyl subscription club ($30/month) connecting music fans directly with artists. Members receive curated vinyl records at discounted prices, with early access to featured releases, exclusive member offers, and 15% off sitewide. Pre-pay packages available for 3 months ($81) and 6 months ($153).
• Compact Discs (CDs) CD releases featuring the same catalog of funk, soul, jazz, and related genres available on vinyl. Priced from $10-$15 per album and sold through the color-red.com storefront.
• Merchandise Branded merchandise including mugs ($12-$15), t-shirts ($22), trucker and snapback hats ($28-$33), and hoodies ($62), representing Color Red Music and the Vinyl Club.
• Vinyl Box Sets Curated box set collections including the Rare Sounds series ($97-$299) and themed bundles such as the Blues Bundle ($90), Shades of Funk Bundle ($110), and The First Four Bundle ($60), featuring multiple vinyl releases from Color Red artists.
• Digital Music Streaming Digital music available for streaming through integrated platforms including Spotify playlists and Hypeddit links, featuring original releases by Color Red artists for digital access and discovery before purchase.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of artists empowered since 2018
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Floki StudioscoreTechnology or IntegrationFloki Studios is a century-old former grocery store on Iceland's north coast transformed into a recording studio. Used by Color Red for high-profile recording sessions including Soulive's 'Flowers' album and Floki Sessions with George Porter Jr. The studio's remote location and vintage analog gear create unique recording environments.
• Eleven Music ExperiencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEleven Experience is an experiential travel company whose boutique record label Eleven Music collaborated with The New Mastersounds on 'The Deplar Effect.' The album was recorded at Floki Studios in Northern Iceland as the inaugural project for the label partnership.
• Go Maps MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner label featured on Color Red's partners page with curated playlists. Collaborative relationship within the independent music ecosystem.
• Red Night RecordingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner label featured on Color Red's partners page with curated playlists. Collaborative relationship within the independent music ecosystem.
• Session ResurrectionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner label featured on Color Red's partners page with curated playlists. Collaborative relationship within the independent music ecosystem.
• Buena Vista WestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner label featured on Color Red's partners page with curated playlists. Collaborative relationship within the independent music ecosystem.
• ATA RecordsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUK-based label (ATA Records/One Not Records) that originally released The New Mastersounds' 'Plug & Play' album in 2008. Now a collaborative partner with Color Red in the vintage recording ethos space.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Luaka Bop: Independent label founded by David Byrne focused on global, funk, afrobeat, and Brazilian music. Comparable cross-border genre focus and boutique catalog of physical releases.
• Truth & Soul Records: NYC-based independent label specializing in soul, funk, and R&B with a vintage analog recording approach. Comparable boutique scale, artist-friendly ethos, and vinyl-forward distribution.
• Daptone Records: Brooklyn-based independent label focused on soul, funk, and afrobeat with analog recording ethos and a deep vinyl catalog. Closely comparable genre focus, vintage-recording positioning, and DTC vinyl distribution model.
• International Anthem: Chicago-based independent label with a curated jazz, experimental, and soul-leaning roster and a strong vinyl and subscription presence. Comparable artist-friendly ethos and vinyl-first model.
• Stones Throw Records: Independent label known for funk, soul, hip-hop, and instrumental releases with a vinyl-first merchandising approach. Comparable indie artist roster and direct-to-fan physical-format model.
• Now-Again Records: LA-based independent label focused on reissues of funk, soul, afrobeat, and global music on vinyl. Comparable genre focus on vintage-inspired sounds and collector-oriented vinyl releases.
• Colemine Records: Ohio-based independent label specializing in funk, soul, and jazz with a parallel direct-to-consumer vinyl-first model. Closely comparable niche-genre focus, indie artist roster, and emphasis on analog recording quality.
• BBE Records: UK-based independent label with deep catalogs in soul, funk, jazz, and afrobeat. Comparable genre focus and international reach with vinyl distribution.
• Big Crown Records: NYC-based independent label focused on soul, funk, R&B, and reggae with strong direct-to-consumer vinyl sales. Comparable boutique indie scale, genre overlap, and physical-format priority.

Emerging players

• Fat Beats: Independent distributor and retailer specializing in vinyl, with a curated catalog of funk, soul, jazz, and hip-hop releases. Comparable customer base and vinyl-led merchandising, though operating more as retail/distribution than a creator label.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/colorredmusic
• Facebookfacebook.com/colorred.co
• Instagraminstagram.com/colorredmusic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/color-red-music

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Color Red Music