What is the blueprint for Castle music? Are you looking to specialise in a certain niche?
JR: “Well, Castle is ostensibly a Catalogue company – that is to say, old music. But in order to grow, you really need front line (new) acts. So Castle Music’s plan is multi-faceted, I guess. But in terms of Sequel, we have redefined it, in relation to the other (mostly mid-price) catalogue label, Essential. So Sequel was always primarily a black music label but then you’d have Motorhead, while Essential picked up George Clinton. So we’ve refocused that. But the mid-60s stuff, like Immediate, is still Sequel, because it doesn’t really fit Essential’s ‘rock’ image. We’re not really looking to specialise. Most of our releases are based around repertoire we own and repertoire we acquire, either ownership or licence. But naturally I gravitate towards the 60s/Mod/Soul/Funk/Psych end of the spectrum!” RSG: Like most music fans, your life must be one long road journey of musical discovery. How did you first get into music, what did you first like and what have been the biggest turning points
