As Chief Executive of Wide Hive Records, Howe has moderately grown a record label when much of the musical marketplace has seen intense restructuring. In his production style, Gregory remains dedicated to bringing together young branching-out artists with musical legends. Now in its fifth year, Wide Hive is spanning a bridge between soul-jazz tight musicianship and the raw spirit of hip hop. "It's in the new interesting combinations of samples, sounds, instruments, and players that musical boundaries are expanding most," says Howe.

In 1998, guitarist/producer Howe teamed up with bassist/ percussionist Babak Tondre to embark on Wide Hive's founding release, 'dissent', which remains one of the most sought-after down-tempo funk recordings on record shelves. After 'dissent,' Howe embarked on two projects simultaneously; a solo production for Calvin Keys and the construction of Wide Hive Records facilities. He then embarked on an another album, dissent's "Bleeding Together." With unusual instrumentation and new vocal contributions by Nathalie Sanchez, he radically redefined a new trajectory for musical sound.

Currently, as both a producer and a member of Variable Unit, Howe has completely vested himself in the vibrant Bay Area music scene that continues to create the artistic community which has become the core of Wide Hive Records. Aside from the interesting combination of players and ideas, this group has created a nucleus for which projects have already spawned from many of the artists involved. DJ Zeph's solo debut was completed by Howe, Ben Conrad and Zeph during the making of VU's Seven Grain.

Howe constructed Wide Hive Records recording studio, offices, and cafe in Downtown San Francisco, where the space provided not only a permanent location to launch the label, but, most notably, also housed the first of a series of 'Live Issued Production Services (LIPS)' events where label artists and affiliated acts were recorded live, in a professional setting, mixed by first rate engineers; then mastered, duplicated and sold to the audiences in attendance. The concept gained local and national attention in periodicals such as Black Book and Forbes 'Transparent Eyeball' column. Now having completed over a dozen such events which have taken place at many venues around San Francisco, He plans to release a 'Wide Hive Live' compilation in 2005. With the concept of 'Live Issued Production Services (LIPS)', Howe has narrowed a common gap between record production and live performance by creating a new opportunity for an emerging musical medium.

For interviews, photos, or more information about Wide Hive artists, please contact:
press@widehive.com - (415) 282-9433.






dissent // Swap Meet Seers

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"File dissent under uncategorical. The 10-piece Bay Area band synthesizes strings, chords, horns, drums, keys and just about every other sound known to man (and woman) into a sonically layered melt whose artistry is as stupefying as it is enjoyable."


   © 2004 WIDE HIVE RECORDS  PO BOX 460067  SAN FRANCISCO CA  94146