Legacy Recordings

Legacy Recordings was formed in 1990 as the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, created to manage and reissue the extensive back catalogs of Sony's flagship labels. Initially focused on the archives of Columbia Records and Epic Records, the label expanded its purview in 2004 following the Sony BMG joint venture with Bertelsmann, adding the archives of RCA Records, J Records, Windham Hill Records, Arista, LaFace, Jive, and Buddah Records. It also distributes Philadelphia International Records and the catalog of recordings produced by Phil Spector.

The label's mission is to preserve and restore historically significant commercial recordings across virtually every genre: popular, rock, jazz, blues, R&B, folk, country, gospel, Broadway, film soundtracks, rap, world music, classical, and comedy. Products include expanded reissues, box sets, vinyl releases, digital albums, and compilation series like The Essential Series. Recent notable releases include Whitney Houston's The Concert For A New South Africa (Durban), Jeff Buckley's Live at Siné 4LP box set, and Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision.

Legacy Recordings operates as a division within Sony Music Entertainment, which reported approximately $11.9 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2023. The label's competitive advantage lies in its unparalleled collection of recordings spanning the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. It is headquartered in New York City and operates globally through Sony Music's international network. [edit]