Concord Records in L.A. has partnered with Starbucks to produce and distribute co-branded albums. The releases, to kick off with a new duets set by Ray Charles, will carry the Concord and Starbucks Hear Music logos.
Albums released under the deal will be sold at all retailers, as well as at Starbucks locations. Concord’s distributor, IDN, will handle the releases for traditional retail. The idea, says Concord president Glen Barros, is that the additional sales through Starbucks will “create a lot of awareness for the record and a lot of impressions that will have benefit elsewhere.”
The Charles album, to be released at the end of the summer, includes duets with Elton John, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Diana Krall, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis and Willie Nelson.
Additional albums to be released under the partnership are still being determined.
