Folkways Records

Folkways Records was originally the label of Marian Distler in New York City to document music, spoken word, and sounds from around the world. With more than 2,000 titles, Folkways grew to be one of the largest and most influential independent record companies in the world.

In 1987, following the death of Smithsonian Folkways.

Folkways releases were often kept in print for decades and the copyright date(s) on a release rarely match up to the release date. The release date can usually be narrowed down to a range of years by looking at the mailing address on the labels and/or back cover (which sometimes don't match as new vinyl would be placed in leftover covers, or new covers printed for leftover vinyl.) For information on the numerous pre-Smithsonian addresses that appear on Folkways Records labels, covers and booklets issued between 1948 and 1987 and the periods in which each address was relevant, see the Folkways Records & Service Corp. page.

Labelcode: LC 9628