Rainbow Blonde Records

Rainbow Blonde Records is an independent record label founded by José James, Talia Billig (aka Taali) and Brian Bender. ^[1] The label was initially formed when James received the rights back to his first album The Dreamer from Brownswood Recordings,^[1] and grew to include original releases from a roster including artists Ben Williams, Taali, Jharis Yokley and Bright & Guilty.^[2]

Rainbow Blonde Records
Founded	2018 (2018)
Founder	José James, Talia Billig, Brian Bender
Genre	Jazz, R&B, singer-songwriter, Electronica
Country of origin	U.S.
Location	New York City, Los Angeles
Official website	www.rainbowblonderecords.com

History

Rainbow Blonde was founded by James and Billig in 2018 in New York City.^[1] The two met while Billig was working at Blue Note Records^[3] for Bruce Lundvall.^[4]

In building Rainbow Blonde, James and Billig worked to create a collective as much as a new record label.^[1] Rainbow Blonde's collective includes house photographer Janette Beckman, filmmaker Madelyn Deutch, business manager Kristin Lee and many others.^[5]

Taali's debut LP "I Am Here" was the first full-length original release for Rainbow Blonde in 2019.^[6] In February 2020, Ben Williams released his first LP on Rainbow Blonde with his critically acclaimed civil rights album "I Am A Man.".^[7] José James released his first new LP on Rainbow Blonde with his album No Beginning No End 2 in March 2020.^[8]

Discography

LPs

1. The Dreamer (10th Anniversary Edition) (2018) – José James
2. I Am Here (2019) – Taali
3. I Am A Man (2020) – Ben Williams
4. No Beginning No End 2 (2020) – José James
5. Blackmagic (10th Anniversary Edition) (2020) – José James
6. José James: New York 2020 (Live) (2021) – José James
7. When Did The World Start Ending? (Live at Levon Helm Studios) (2021) – Taali
8. Merry Christmas from José James (2021) – José James
9. On & On (2023) – José James
10. taali (2023) – Taali
11. 1978 (2024) – José James
12. Sometimes, Late At Night (2024) – Jharis Yokley

EPs

1. Were Most Of Your Stars Out? (2019) – Taali
2. Were You Busy Writing Your Heart Out? (2020) – Taali

Instrumental LPS

1. No Beginning No End 2: Mentals (2020) – José James
2. I Am A Man: Mentals (2020) – Ben Williams
3. I Am Here: Mentals (2020) – Taali
4. Bright & Guilty: Mentals (2020) – Bright & Guilty

Singles/Remixes

1. Soft Age (2019) – Bright & Guilty
2. STDs (2020) – Bright & Guilty
3. Soft Age (KoolKojak Remix) (2020) – Bright & Guilty
4. Hear You Now (TR/ST Remix) (2020) – Taali
5. High Road Pt. 2 (Natasha Diggs and Ian Wallace Remix) (2020) – Ben Williams

See also

• List of record labels

References

1. Bacior, Robin. "Label Spotlight: Rainbow Blonde". Spotify For Artists. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
2. "Rainbow Blonde Discography". Discogs. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
3. Murph, John. "José James' Upcoming Album Reverberates with the Warmth of the 1970s". Downbeat Magazine. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
4. "Meet Taali". Voyage LA. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
5. "Rainbow Blonde Collective". Rainbow Blonde. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
6. Zeitlin, Alan. "This New York Singer Gets Down To Earth With Her Jewish Roots In New Album". The New York Jewish Week. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
7. Himes, Geoffrey. "Ben Williams' Righteous Vocal Power". Downbeat Magazine. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
8. Graff, Gary. "José James Premieres Aloe Blacc Collab 'Turn Me Up,' Talks Running A Label". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved November 2, 2020.