Recent re-issues are constantly touted as “lost masterpieces” or “holy grails” of some sort. And surely, some are stunning discoveries. The recent flood of funk and soul re-issues are deserving of their allure, but like everything, some are just better than others. As Nate Nothing outlined, the Numero Group has had a remarkable recent show of success. While patterns emerge as to which labels uncover gems--and which make embellished assertions--Numero has done an outstanding job in a consistent, careful manner.
The label consists of founder Ken Shipley (above, right) and a dedicated team that scours the country for forgotten music. The forethought displayed in Numero’s releases are gleaming; The Eccentric Soul series [17 and counting] come with liner notes that contextualize the music and its makers, adding depth to the crackly recordings. Most of the records uncovered have rarely been heard, if ever. The silliness and sorrows are depicted with dignity and, almost always, add staggering perspective to the music.I've been impressed by each Numero release, and the recognition they quietly gain. We’re lucky to have Mr. Shipley show us his "terribly unglamorous" operation and explain exactly how, and why, he does what he does. Thanks for humoring us Ken. Here's to your outstanding label.
Please introduce yourself for fans wondering who you are?
Ken Shipley, the Numero Group’s minister of information.
How many members are on your staff?
Six.
Take us through a typical day at Numero headquarters.
Doors open at 9, though typically bodies don’t cross the threshold until 10. There is no set schedule, other than that the mail needs to go out at noon and UPS comes at 5:30. Everything else in between can be shifted to earlier or later depending on its priority. 90% of what we do is terribly unglamorous. Books need to be kept, boxes get packed, purchase orders go out, just like any other workplace. Once a month we crunch hard and finish a project, and that’s generally the most interesting work. Rob and I lock our selves in our offices and write for hours, take it home, swish it around, argue, rewrite, take antacid.
How much of the year do you spend traveling, looking for records?
These days not nearly as much, as most of what we do is on the phone and through the mail. We generally do a few trips a year and get a handful of things lined up on the way. In the case of Grand Bahama Goombay, we actually got Recording Tap and Outskirts Of Deep City rolling at the same time.
Is your personal record collection insane or what?
Rob’s is probably the deepest, though we both have rooms dedicated to records at our houses.
How did the first release in the Eccentric Soul series come about?
I had just lost my job at Ryko Disc and wanted to start a new label. Rob and I had a mutual friend and ended up meeting in a bar. He had an idea for a compilation called Eccentric Soul; I took that idea, tinkered and came back with something bigger. The catalyst for taking it beyond the random compilation of 45s that Rob wanted to do was Bill Moss, who informed me that he had made a few dozen recordings, not just the two Rob was talking about. I thought labels would be much more interesting and could tell a nice tightly wrapped story.
What were the main motivating factors that made you want to start the label?At Ryko I had a few projects I wanted to do that never happened and ended up taking one of them with me. Meeting our other partner Tom Lunt in a grocery store while we were both unemployed didn’t hurt either. At the same time I was spending a lot of time at Sheer Magic’s soul night in Chicago, just listening and talking to other soul aficionados. The music of those nights needed to be heard, and it seemed like there wasn’t enough people trying to make that a reality.
What was the first record you found for the label that blew you away?
Antena, though I found it for another label.
Can you tell us which are your favorite tracks off of some of these Eccentric Soul releases?
-Mighty Mike: "Loaded To The Gills", "I’ve Got To Have You", "Function Underground"
-Prix Label: "You Got Me (Demo)", "Mystic", "Wait A Minute"
-Home Schooled: "I’m Not Ready For Love", "Time", "Now That School Is Through"
-Deep City: "Am I A Good Man", "Someone To Fulfill My Needs", "I am Controlled By Your Love"
Where do you typically hear about these records and where do you normally find them?
The larger world of collecting is the best resource. Talking to people, listening to their mixes, bumming MP3s, and listening is the key. Finding the originals is rarely my goal as most of this stuff is impossibly rare. I collect masters these days.
How many records do you sift through before deciding on the ones that make it onto the comp?With some compilations it seems like you’ve barely got enough! We like to find between 16-20 songs for a record, but it’s key to use only the best stuff. In the case of Twinight and Tragar we had to make a bunch of painful cuts because the material was so good.
Which was the most difficult project in the series to put together?
They’re all tough in their own way. You forget how difficult it was after you finish. But if I had to pick, I’d say Twinight because it took us two years to finish and we kept getting better stuff. The record just never wanted to end.
Which was the easiest and why?
Lenaburg definitely. John Dixon handed us the entire thing and all we did was color in the story.
Who mainly gets to keep these discovered records?
We have library in our office for all the treasure. Like Alexandria meets Ft. Knox.
What are some future Numero releases you have in the works?
NUM020 Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note Labels
NUM021 Soul Messages From Dimona
NUM022 A Local Custom: Downriver Revival
Do you get a chance to listen to contemporary music?
There are people I like, but I don’t have as much time to listen to outside music as I’d like. It’s hard enough just listening to the stuff we’ve got on the whiteboard. That said, I enjoy the moody stylings of Cat Power and Hope Sandoval, cut and paste shit like the Avalanches or Dilla’s Donuts, and am eagerly anticipating GnR’s next album.
What advice, if any, would you give to others who want to start a label like Numero?
Now is clearly not the time. Save your money and go to business school.
What does the label envision for itself in the future?
We’re going to be the next Folkways. Wait and see.
**For more information on the Numero Group and their releases, please visit http://www.numerogroup.com/
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