Re: Stepping Stone

J. Mikel Ellcessor (jmikel@usaor.net)
Sat, 28 Dec 1996 11:08:52 -0500


Greetings all,

Re: Daniel's inquiry....
>
> Anyone heard anything from this label (Steping Stone)? It's a new label out of L.A., and
> their first release, a comp called Groovin' High, got some great
> reviews.....has a K&D track ("Definition"), Silent Poets, plus some more
> obscure stuff like Kwanzaa Posse and Nobukazu Takemura.....they just
> released two CD's of UK groups as well, Mighty Truth (a personal fave), and
> Marden Hill, which even Billboard mag noticed. They've got a website at
> www.steppingstone.net.

Stepping Stone's 2nd & 3rd releases are out at retail (distributed by
Indi/Alliance) and the vinyl remixes have been shipped to DJ's. The
press reviews have been astounding and the full discs ship to radio on
January 3. Marden Hill & Mighty Truth will be worked to a hand-picked
list of beat-friendly stations (I think the list sits at approximately
350) that span A3 (commercial and non-commercial), Gavin jazz, college
jazz, CMJ's main panel, NAC, alternative specialty shows and urban.

We had a release party with The Beat in LA about three weeks ago that
drew over 900 people and was a stone riot. The evening featured a
fashion show with BC Ethic. In fact, keep an eye on the BC Ethic ads now
running in Vibe, Urb, elsewhere because the shots feature members of
Marden Hill. There's a major co-promotional campaign underway between
Stepping Stone and BC Ethic that has a display featuring Marden Hill
images and music in various clothing retailers (including Neiman-Marcus
and Nordstrom) around the country.

Before this teeters completely over the edge into a gratuitous plug, let
me add some relevant facts:
- we're working on a Marden Hill tour of North America in 1997. Stay
tuned.
- if you are a DJ or radio station and would like to be serviced on
either or both of the titles, please e-mail me directly.
- if you are a retailer and do not have the titles, or an account with
Indi/Alliance, please e-mail me and I will make certain the right folks
contact you.

Finally, we are interested in working with North American artists that
can develop as touring acts. Please send us with your promotional
material. Call me at 412.244.0954 for details.

Thanks for reading (and the inquiry, Daniel) and Happy New Year!

J. Mikel Ellcessor (for Stephen Zelenka & Greg Brock)
Promotion & Marketing
Stepping Stone Records