Melodiya

Melodiya was the state-owned major record company/label of the Soviet Union. It was established in 1964 as the All-Union Gramophone Record Firm of the USSR Ministry of Culture Melodiya. It utilized gigantic resources of numerous recording studios, manufacturing facilities throughout the USSR as well as a powerful centralized distribution and promotion system. The best selling format at the time was 33 1/3 and 45 RPM Vinyl records. As of 1973 Melodiya released some 1,200 gramophone records with the total circulation of 190-200 million per year and 1 million compact cassettes per year and was exporting its production into more than 70 countries.After having disappeared from the market since 2004, Melodiya started rereleasing their recordings in 2006 and are quickly building up a formidable catalogue.