Colemine Records is an American independent soul and funk label founded in late 2007 by Terry Cole in Loveland, Ohio. It is home to Durand Jones & The Indications, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Harlem Gospel Travelers, Young Gun Silver Fox, The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, and Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos. Colemine is distributed by Secretly Distribution and operates the Karma Chief Records and Plaid Room Records sublabels. The label is housed within the Plaid Room Records record shop in Loveland, Ohio, giving it a direct connection to vinyl culture and record store customers.
Colemine built its reputation on modern analog soul and funk. Its signings of Durand Jones & The Indications (whose albums have reached broad audiences and appeared on late-night television) and Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio (whose instrumental soul-funk has been a streaming and vinyl success) established the label as a leading force in the modern soul revival. The label's model is built around vinyl releases, with a strong direct-to-fan record shop presence through Plaid Room Records. Its roster spans American soul (Durand Jones, Delvon Lamarr), gospel (Harlem Gospel Travelers), and yacht rock-influenced funk (Young Gun Silver Fox).
How Colemine Operates
Colemine runs dedicated A&R under owner Terry Cole from its Loveland, Ohio headquarters. The label is distributed by Secretly Distribution, giving it global physical and digital reach. Colemine is housed within the Plaid Room Records record shop, which gives the label a direct connection to vinyl culture and record store customers. The label's strength is its analog soul and funk curation and its vinyl-focused business model. Its sublabels include Karma Chief Records (for broader releases), Plaid Room Records (the record shop), and Soul Slabs.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make soul, funk, gospel, or Afrobeat with an analog aesthetic, Colemine Records is one of the most respected independent labels in the modern soul revival. Its track record with Durand Jones & The Indications and Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio shows it can develop artists who reach broad audiences while maintaining analog credibility. Its vinyl-focused model and record shop presence give it a direct connection to the vinyl collecting community.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Analog soul aesthetic: Colemine has a distinct analog soul and funk sound. Music outside that aesthetic will not fit.
- No unsolicited demos: Colemine does not accept cold submissions.
- Vinyl focus: The label's model is built around vinyl releases. Digital-only artists may find it less relevant.
- Small team: A boutique operation has limited marketing bandwidth.
Notable Artists and Releases
| Artist | Release | Year | Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durand Jones & The Indications | American Love Call (album) | 2019 | UK Independent Albums No. 2, UK Physical Albums No. 73 |
| Durand Jones & The Indications | Private Space (album) | 2021 | UK Albums Chart No. 98, Germany Albums Top 50 No. 35 |
| Durand Jones & The Indications | "Cruisin' to the Park" (single) | 2019 | 21 million+ YouTube views, featured on late-night television |
| Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio | I Told You So (album) | 2021 | Billboard Contemporary Jazz No. 1, Jazz Albums No. 3, Heatseekers No. 12 |
| Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio | Cold As Weiss (album) | 2022 | Released via Colemine Records, featured on KEXP and NPR |
| Harlem Gospel Travelers | He's On Time (album) | 2019 | Charted on Billboard, endorsed by Elton John on Apple Music radio |
| Harlem Gospel Travelers | Rhapsody (album) | 2024 | Grammy nomination (Colemine's first Grammy nomination) |
Video Highlights
Deal Structures
Colemine Records operates traditional recording deals for soul, funk, gospel, and Afrobeat artists. The label funds recording, vinyl pressing, and distribution through Secretly Distribution. In exchange, Colemine takes master ownership for the contract term. The label's model is built around vinyl releases, with a strong direct-to-fan record shop presence through Plaid Room Records. Some releases are co-released with Dead Oceans (a Secretly Group label), as seen with Durand Jones & The Indications. Colemine also operates sublabels: Karma Chief Records (for broader releases) and Soul Slabs. The label does not offer 360 deals or distribution-only agreements publicly. Deal terms are negotiated individually given the boutique nature of the operation.
How Artists Get Signed
- Build a distinct analog soul and funk identity. Colemine signs artists with a clear aesthetic that fits the label's vintage sound profile.
- Develop an independent profile through touring and vinyl releases. Colemine favors artists with existing traction in the vinyl collecting community.
- Get noticed through the Plaid Room Records network. Owner Terry Cole discovers artists through the record shop's direct connection to vinyl culture and record store customers.
- Secure management or industry referral. Colemine does not accept unsolicited demos. Submissions come through managers, attorneys, or existing label relationships.
- Demonstrate alignment with the label's analog aesthetic. Artists outside the soul, funk, gospel, or Afrobeat sound will not fit the roster.
Similar Labels
- Daptone Records - Analog soul label based in Brooklyn
- Big Crown Records - Soul and funk label with analog aesthetic
- Numero Group - Archival and reissue label for soul and funk
- Secretly Group - Colemine's distribution partner
- Concord - Independent music group with soul catalog
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Colemine deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The vinyl-focused indie model
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building a soul music profile
- Daptone Records - A related analog soul label
- Colemine Records Official Site - Roster and releases
