“Since jazz producers have nearly all vanished, that labels have been put in the hands of portfolio managers, in a time where profit has taken over the quality of the music, the real music, with true emotion… It is a relief to meet with Eric Debègue who works in the aim of changing things and who persists in this way. The word “independent” doesn’t mean “confidential”, don’t forget it!”

Pierre Bertrand - Paris Jazz Big Band (French Jazz Award 2005 – category: French revelation of the year)

The independent musical label Cristal Records was launched in 1996 by the Cristal Publishing SARL. Its founder Eric Debègue defines his record company as activist in comparison with the mainstream major companies. In addition to the label, a publishing activity was also created under the name of Cristal Publishing. The catalogue of the label was rapidly enriched by many agreements signed between Cristal Records and talented jazzmen. The label gained a great recognition in jazz environment.
In 2005, the company acquired the catalogue RDC Records (an independent label) owned by Franck Hagege – well known for his jazz references like Django Reinhardt – as well as for his accordion repertoire. This helped Cristal Records to promote new artists and enabled the label to develop new activities: soundtracks, sound design, compilations… As years went by, the label became notorious and built a solid reputation. It naturally turned to other musical styles.
At the start of this new term, Cristal Records’ will was to give more structure to its production to add better legibility and target its new releases. At the start of this new term, Cristal Records’ will was to give more structure to its production to add better legibility and target its new releases. As for now, all the albums of our catalogue will be identified according to their genre:

world music, french chanson, pop, rock, hip hop, electro

Records Classic: dedicated to classical music and contemporary classical music

dedicated to all forms of accordion

specialized in soundtracks

children

remains devoted to jazz in all its forms.

In the past three years, the company has chosen to develop its publishing departement.
For this the company has two major assets:

The company has focused on publishing side, with composers and artists who trust our experience, in the aim of promoting our artists and strengthening our business. It is very important to find other companies, aside from the majors, smaller, more flexible and reacting.

Thanks to the great work done in the last couple of years on the international scene, Cristal Group has spread in over 22 countries all throughout the world. The partnership developed in sub-publishing agreements and licenses have helped promote our artists beyond boundaries. The label is also seeked by foreign distributors, a proof of the quality of its productions. In the past three years, the company has chosen to develop its publishing departement.