Fontana

Label launched by Philips Phonografische Industrie (PPI) in 1956 in France as a variety label. Currently active as a jazz and pop label under [L=Universal Music UK]. A logo change occurred in 1957. It was launched in the UK in 1958. initially used to market recordings licensed from Epic outside of the US, it later expanded to other US labels. In September 1964, PPI's US affiliate, Mercury Record Corporation, introduced the label in the US for international recordings, although it eventually became a mainstream pop label. In 2013, Fontana's independent circuit was sold off to Ingrooves, leaving Fontana Records separate. The label was revived in 2025 along with a restructure of [L=Universal Music UK]'s labels. It serves as the UK home for Universal Music’s affiliated jazz labels [L=Blue Note], [L=Verve Records], and [L=Impulse!]. Their roster also includes pop artists who moved from [L=Decca] in the same label restructure. The label is currently managed by [A=Tom Lewis (4)]. Label Code: LC 0211 The 7-digit numerical catalogue numbers were introduced in April 1970. Any item with such a number is after that date. Printing dates on French EPs of the late 50s/60s appear as "MY" or "MMY" (e.g. "81" = August 1961; "118" = November 1958).