I remember sinking my fishing line in the Detroit River as a kid in Windsor, Ontario, where more than often, I'd bring up one of those ugly whiskery-denizens of the deep: the catfish. Though not the prettiest of God's creatures, those unsightly and diverse fish do cook up and satisfy excellently. In North America alone there are 39 species of native catfish (and there's even some recipes for Catfish Tacos and Catfish Stew).

So it might seem odd that a relatively new record label, featuring blues, roots, country, folk and bluegrass music would take the name Catfish. But they did. And within five years the UK's Catfish Records have quickly developed into a cool catch with a music catalogue of over one hundred high quality albums. Presently confirmed as the UK's foremost "roots" and "blues" based recording company, their motto is "embellishing the future by embracing the past". Catfish also maintains a unique and profitable distribution business -- getting some of the best recordings available out to the appreciative aficionado.

The label started out in 1997 specializing in the blues. And not just the "blues" but the whole spectrum of the genre: from Mississippi (Charley Patton, Son House, Willie Brown and Robert Johnson), Texas (Lightnin' Hopkins, Ramblin' Thomas, Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown), the Piedmont region (Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Blake, Barbecue Bob and Blind Boy Fuller), Tennessee (Sleepy John Estes), New Orleans, to wide selection of modern electric (Albert Collins, Lowell Fulson, T-Bone Walker, Luther Allison). Other artists include none other than Bessie Smith, Willie Dixon, Big Joe Turner, Charles Brown. Ma Rainey, Professor Longhair, and Ray Charles. Catfish then wisely developed its "blues" scope so that it encompasses country, folk, bluegrass and "roots" music.

This persistence and pursuit for excellence is paying off. The label's Charley Patton box set was short-listed for MOJO magazine's prestigious Album of the Year. And in 2001 Catfish put out the hugely successful (both artistically and commercially) country album Together at the Bluebird featuring the various talents of eclectic musician/songwriters Steve Earle, Townes van Zandt and Guy Clark. Earlier this year the label handled the UK and pan-European release of the Grammy-nominated POET: A tribute to Townes Van Zandt record, which features performances from artists including Emmylou Harris, Cowboy Junkies, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, and The Flatlanders. No doubt other winning plans are in the wings.

Certainly one of the most ambitious of projects on Catfish's agenda is the unique "Roots of..." series. These are compilations of the real (and perceived) influences for various artists such as Muddy Waters, Elvis Presley, John Lee Hooker, Led Zeppelin, Chuck Berry and Eric Clapton. Valuable for both the student of music and fan alike, the "Roots of..." provides a glimpse into the authority and motivation for these major artists. For instance, the Hooker CD contains selections from Big Joe Williams, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson and Memphis Slim. With this series Catfish figured out how to avoid the faults and failures that plague most of the half-witted and meandering collections out there today. If only all compilations could have this kind of focus; the reissue world would be a better place.

Several interesting projects and collaborations are in the works this year, including a DVD release of Bill Wyman's 'Blues Odyssey', which the label hopes to issue in the fall. Meanwhile, Van Morrison, David Gilmour, Keith Richards and Marianne Faithful are among the artists all slated to make appearances on the Pretty Things' newest recording. Slide guitar virtuoso Michael Messer is currently putting together the finishing touches to his eagerly awaited follow-up to the tremendously well-received 2001 release King Guitar, and Irish singer/songwriter Terry Clarke's Green Voodoo album has just been released worldwide. Recorded in Austin, Texas with a stellar band including Jesse "Guitar" Taylor, Rosie Flores and David Halley, it represents Clarke's finest work to date. But for 2002 overall I have to single out one major item of importance: guitarists Leadbelly, Blind Willie McTell and Blind Lemon Jefferson will have their own major box sets out soon. If they are anything in terms of the sound quality and comprehensiveness of the Charley Patton box set, Catfish will be the label of choice for every serious music lover.

For more information, visit Catfish Records.