ISAAK SOAKS IN SUN WITH PRIMARY WAVE

Primary Wave Music has struck a strategic alliance with Chris Isaak that involves an ownership stake in his existing master recordings, a joint venture and a label deal.

Primary Wave will own half of Isaak’s masters, among them “San Francisco Days,” “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing,” “Somebody’s Crying” and “Wicked Game.”

The multimillion-dollar deal includes a JV wherein he can sign new artists and a recording contract with Primary Wave’s recently acquired Sun Records, through which he will release new material.

PW CEO & Founder Larry Mestel said, “Chris is a truly iconic talent, and I was drawn to his almost encyclopedic knowledge of the Sun catalog and its rich history. We look forward to working with Chris and his amazing manager, Sheryl Louis.”

Isaak’s connection to Sun extends to his 2011 studio album, Beyond the Sun, which featured his versions of songs originally recorded for the legendary Memphis label.

“I spent hours of my youth looking at second-hand singles at thrift shops, and while those old records might have been several generations before me, the impression they’ve made on me has lasted a lifetime,” Isaak said. “The most captivating of all the singles were always the ones with that coveted Sun logo. The label was, and still is, home to the voices of my heroes. To now be officially part of the label and have the Sun logo on my music is humbling and gratifying in ways I cannot quite convey.

“Further to that, I feel it’s important that we look to the future and go about creating the next generation of legends. I’m thrilled to take on that task with Sun to both discover and curate new music.”