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Ohr

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Pioneering early Berlin rock, jazz, electronic and experimental music label. Ohr is well known as one of the key labels of the Krautrock scene. Established by producer [a=Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser] and Hansa founder / Metronome executive [a=Peter Meisel], it also spawned the [l=Die Kosmischen Kuriere] and [l=Kosmische Musik] labels. The first Ohr LP was released in April 1970. The final release was completed in December 1973 (released early 1974). In this time, they released 33 albums (four of which were double LPs) and twelve 7" singles. Ohr and its partner labels: [l169236] and [l48843] ran into difficulties with litigation raised against the company by some of its signed artists, causing the seizure of all assets and shutting down of Ohr and related labels in 1975. The label archives were stored at [l266189]'s vaults, some rights were assigned to Metronome (with further re-releases on Ohr or Brain), and later on some releases (whose rights had not reverted to the original artists) were licensed out via partners of Dieter Dierks' own [l412946]. [b]Originals[/b] [excepting doubles, which had 2/56.0## catalogue numbers] The first 17 Ohr LP releases had a 5-digit catalogue numbers: OMM 56.000 to 56.016 The next 12 single LP releases had 6 digit catalogue numbers. OMM 556.017 to 556.033. Originals of OMM 56.000 to 556 017 had no matrix numbers on the label. Later editions of the first 17 LPs also had 6 digit: 556.### catalogue numbers (see Reissues). 7" singles had catalogue numbers: OS 57.000 to 57.012. The first edition of the first five LPs had uniformly designed sleeves by [a=Reinhard Hippen] with a small door in the front sleeve for an included promotion balloon). 56.000 - [r2703772] (red balloon, black print "Haschisch ist Opium für das Volk") 56.001 - [r792419] (yellow balloon, dark blue print "?") 56.002 - [r4081950] (light pink balloon, black print "nun") 56.003 - [r2024082] (light pink balloon, black print "Haschisch ist Opium für das Volk") 56.004 - [r2468699] (green balloon, black print "Haschisch ist Opium für das Volk") Only 500 copies from each with the door cover were pressed. In 250 of them were a balloon attached with a special print on it. These 250 were used only for promotion. The other 250 without balloon was the regular first edition for sale. Many others also came with novelty sleeves, and some with inserts or posters. LP 556.026 and 7" OS 57.010 were never released. [b]Reissues[/b] [b]1970s[/b] Popular early Ohr LPs tend to exist as 4 or 5 Metronome editions in the 1970s: 1. 56.### [i](originals 1970-71)[/i] 2. 56.### vinyl in 556.### sleeve [i](1971-72)[/i] 3. 556.### [i](example is the first press of [r876338])[/i] 4. 556.### with 0654.### or 0664.1## matrix on label [i](1972-1974)[/i] 5. 556.### with additional 0664.7## matrix [i](from 1975)[/i] [i]Most 556.### LP reissues of originally 56.### releases date from 1972 to 1974.[/i] [b]1980s+[/b] Many Ohr LPs were reissued by [l153963], often with original cover and label artwork. These can usually be recognized by the "[b]Pop Import[/b]" logo and address on the cover. For some more popular titles many different pressings exist (often with different labels like PDU, Die Kosmischen Kuriere or black Cosmic Music labels). Some also have a 3-phase circle logo (meaning unknown) and Venus Records logo. Later ones: end of 1980s and early 1990s (now with Mikulski trading as ZYX Music) redesigned the logos again, and a few appeared as budget issues in single sleeves. [b]1990s[/b] [l=Think Progressive] issued a few titles as heavy vinyl, and [l=Spalax] in France issued many on CD (first issues often with Ohr logos), and two also appeared on [l=Repertoire Records] CD. [b]ZYX Music[/b] also issued CDs in Germany, first circa 1992 to 1994 with OHRCD numbers, and 1999+ (CD and LP) reissues all featured the following 4 logos: Ohr, Pilz, Ohr Today, Die Kosmischen Kuriere. It is customary to list all these logo/labels within the database. [b]Label Code[/b]: LC 2127 (Ohr and other labels owned by Bernhard Mikulski GmbH and/or ZYX Music 1978 or later). [l=Ohr Today] was a label established by Dieter Dierks and Bernhard Mikulski GmbH in 1982. Documenting labels via the logos and working out what are company names can be complex. Basically, if it has an Ohr logo then list it and all other label brands. Identify distributors, publishers and marketing and add as appropriate. If in doubt compare other similar releases within the database.