DEL-FI GETS MILLENNIAL:

Over the last few years, Los Angeles-based Del-Fi Records has distinguished itself with the intelligent marketing of its classic rock'n'roll catalog. The 40-year-old label, run by producer Bob Keane, has neatly repackaged its voluminous archive of '60s surf music (the Lively Ones, etc.) and has devoted elegantly designed, deeply annotated boxed collections to Keane's most prominent discoveries, Texas-bred rocker Bobby Fuller ("Shakedown!" and "Never To Be Forgotten") and Chicano icon Ritchie Valens (the recently released "Come On, Let's Go!!!). In current release is "Boss Soul," a handsome compilation of Barry White's work as an artist and producer for Keane's Bronco imprint.

Credit is due to Keane's young and energetic staff--including senior VP of operations (and boxed-set guru) Gary Tanenbaum, director of promotion (and recording artist) Elliot Kendall, and publicist (and annotator) Bryan Thomas--for keeping the Del-Fi catalog flame burning. But one can't help but think that these gentlemen have champed at the bit to release some new music on the label.

As the millennium approaches, the company is finally taking up the challenge and has announced that it is establishing a new imprint, Del-Fi 2000 (or--in the manner of Y2K--DF2K for short) for the release of developing artists (BillboardBulletin, Sept. 3).

While DF2K hasn't yet signed any acts, the word is that its first band may be Jiffipop, one of the groups featured on Del-Fi's sensational anthology "International Pop Overthrow."

The compilation, set for release Nov. 3, takes its name from a city-wide pop festival (itself I dubbed after a lively Material Issue song) that ran at a variety of L.A. venues Aug. 21-30. In collaboration with Del-Fi, IPO organizer David Bash put together a collection featuring 20 of the fest's bands; the CD, which was sold at clubs during the event, will be available to retail via Del-Fi's distributor, Navarre Corp.

Declarations of Independents hasn't heard such a consistently excellent comp in many a moon. Featuring bands from such far flung locales as New York; Seattle; St. Louis; Iowa City; Austin, Texas; and even Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the set is so tuneful and entertaining it makes us sorry we stayed home during IPO's run. Especially noteworthy are Evelyn Forever's leadoff cut "Magic Of The Moment," Double Naught Spies' homage "Sonny & Cher," and Single Bullet Theory's Scott Walkeresque closer "Finding Out."

If "International Pop Overthrow" offers some clue to the kind of material DF2K will be releasing, Del-Fi's new venture worth keeping an eye on.

© Chris Morris / Billboard