# Cadence

> US record label

**Wikidata**: [Q1025118](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1025118)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadence_Records)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cadence

## Summary

Cadence is a United States-based record label founded in 1952 by Archie Bleyer, operating as a brand and trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings within the broader phonographic industry. The label is documented across multiple digital knowledge systems including Wikipedia, MusicBrainz, Discogs, and Wikidata, with cross-references in five languages. Cadence represents a historical example of mid-20th century American independent record labeling, distinct from major conglomerate labels of the era.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Cadence
- **Country**: United States
- **Inception**: 1952
- **Founder**: Archie Bleyer
- **Instance Of**: Record label
- **Aliases**: Cadence Records
- **Different From**: Cadence (with criterion: "brand, trademark, band name or organization name refers to multiple entities")
- **Discography**: Cadence catalog
- **Freebase ID**: /m/02th77
- **Sitelink Count**: 5
- **Wikipedia Title**: Cadence Records
- **Commons Category**: Cadence Records
- **Discogs Label ID**: 58350 (labeled as "Cadence (2)")
- **MusicBrainz Label ID**: 5ef66582-0d32-4dd1-adc1-37aeb29b5799 (described as "Cadence Records (NYC-based label founded by Archie Bleyer)")
- **Rate Your Music Label ID**: cadence_records
- **Wikipedia Languages**: commons, de, en, ja, nl
- **Wikidata Description**: US record label

## FAQs

**What type of organization is Cadence?**

Cadence is a record label—a brand and trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos within the phonographic industry. It functions as a commercial name and imprint, distinct from the operational record company that handles logistical and financial aspects of music production.

**Who founded Cadence and when?**

Cadence was founded in 1952 by Archie Bleyer. The label operated as a New York City-based independent record company during the mid-20th century, competing against larger major labels of the era.

**How is Cadence documented in digital knowledge systems?**

Cadence appears in multiple databases and ontologies: Wikidata (with description "US record label"), MusicBrainz (with specific label ID), Discogs (ID 58350), Rate Your Music, Freebase, and Wikipedia in five languages (English, German, Japanese, Dutch, and Commons). It is also mapped to the DBpedia ontology class for RecordLabel and the Music Ontology (mo:Label).

**What distinguishes Cadence from other entities named "Cadence"?**

According to Wikidata, Cadence the record label is explicitly differentiated from other entities sharing the name "Cadence" using the criterion that "brand, trademark, band name or organization name refers to multiple entities." This distinguishes the record label from other commercial or organizational uses of the name.

**What is the relationship between Cadence and the United States?**

Cadence is a US-based record label, founded and operating within the United States. The label is classified under the phonographic industry and is part of the broader American music business ecosystem that emerged in the post-World War II era.

## Why It Matters

Cadence represents an important piece of American music history as a mid-20th century independent record label operating in a market dominated by major conglomerates. Founded in 1952 by Archie Bleyer, the label contributed to the diversity of musical offerings available to American consumers during a period of significant growth in the phonographic industry. The existence of Cadence illustrates the competitive landscape of the American music business before the major consolidation waves that characterized later decades.

The label's documentation across multiple digital platforms—ranging from academic ontologies like the Music Ontology to commercial databases like Discogs and community-driven sites like Rate Your Music—demonstrates its enduring relevance to music historians, collectors, and researchers. Its presence in five Wikipedia language editions (English, German, Japanese, Dutch, and Commons) reflects international interest in this piece of American musical heritage.

For researchers studying the evolution of the music industry, Cadence serves as a case study in independent label operations, demonstrating how smaller players navigated the complex landscape of artist management, production, and distribution alongside major corporations. The label's catalog represents a tangible artifact of American cultural production from the 1950s and beyond.

## Notable For

- **Historical Significance**: One of the independent American record labels operating during the post-war expansion of the phonographic industry (1952 inception)
- **Founder Identity**: Established by Archie Bleyer, giving the label a distinct personal origin story typical of mid-century independent ventures
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Featured in Wikipedia articles across five language editions, indicating sustained international interest
- **Digital Preservation**: Extensively cataloged in modern music databases including MusicBrainz, Discogs, and Rate Your Music, ensuring long-term accessibility of its catalog information
- **Ontological Integration**: Mapped to multiple semantic web standards including DBpedia's RecordLabel class and the Music Ontology (mo:Label), facilitating linked-data research
- **Cross-Platform Presence**: Documented across both commercial (Discogs, Rate Your Music) and community-driven (Wikipedia, Wikidata) platforms

## Body

### Historical Context and Founding

Cadence Records emerged in 1952, a period of significant transformation in the American music industry. The early 1950s represented a pivotal era in phonographic history, marked by the rise of rock and roll, the dominance of vinyl records, and intense competition among labels for market share. Founded by Archie Bleyer in New York City, Cadence operated as an independent label competing against established major corporations dominating the industry.

The decision to establish an independent label during this period reflected broader economic trends in the United States, where small to medium enterprises played crucial roles in various sectors. In the music industry specifically, independent labels often served as incubators for emerging genres and artists who might be overlooked by larger conglomerates focused on proven commercial formulas.

### Organizational Identity and Classification

Cadence is classified as a record label—a distinct category within the phonographic industry that functions as a brand and trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. This classification places Cadence within a hierarchical structure that includes related concepts such as trade name, brand, trademark, and imprint.

The label's official name is simply "Cadence," though it is commonly referred to as "Cadence Records" in discographies and catalog listings. This naming convention aligns with industry standards where the label name often incorporates "Records" as a descriptor, though the formal legal name may omit this term.

A notable aspect of Cadence's organizational identity is its explicit differentiation from other entities sharing the name "Cadence." Wikidata records indicate that the label is distinguished using the criterion that "brand, trademark, band name or organization name refers to multiple entities." This reflects the common phenomenon in the music industry where names are reused across different companies, genres, or time periods.

### Digital Documentation and Knowledge Infrastructure

Cadence's presence across multiple digital knowledge systems demonstrates the comprehensive documentation of historical record labels in the modern era. The label appears in five Wikipedia language editions (English, German, Japanese, Dutch, and Commons), indicating international scholarly and enthusiast interest in its history.

In the structured data ecosystem, Cadence is linked to several key identifiers:

- **MusicBrainz** (ID: 5ef66582-0d32-4dd1-adc1-37aeb29b5799): The label is specifically described as "Cadence Records (NYC-based label founded by Archie Bleyer)" in this authoritative music metadata database
- **Discogs** (ID: 58350): Listed as "Cadence (2)" to distinguish it from other labels or entities using the same name
- **Rate Your Music**: Cataloged under the identifier "cadence_records"
- **Freebase** (ID: /m/02th77): Part of Google's linked-data knowledge graph
- **Wikidata**: The label has its own entity with the description "US record label" and multiple property links

These digitalPresenceserve multiple functions: they enable music researchers to track catalog releases, allow collectors to verify authenticity, and provide genealogies of label relationships and artist associations.

### Relationship to the Phonographic Industry

As a record label, Cadence operates within the phonographic industry—the sector dedicated to the production, distribution, and commercialization of sound recordings. This industry encompasses all activities related to recorded music, from artist development and recording to manufacturing, marketing, and distribution.

The phonographic industry in the 1950s United States was characterized by a mix of major labels (often vertically integrated companies controlling production, distribution, and retail) and independent labels (which typically relied on third-party distribution networks). Cadence represented the latter category, operating as a specialized music company focused on recording and marketing without the extensive infrastructure of major competitors.

Record labels like Cadence serve as crucial intermediaries in the music value chain. They identify and develop talent, finance recording sessions, manage production, handle marketing and promotion, and oversee distribution. Labels also manage the intellectual property aspects of music, holding copyrights and negotiating licensing arrangements.

### Geographic and Cultural Context

Cadence's United States origin places it within the world's largest music market and a country that has profoundly shaped global popular music culture. The United States phonographic industry in the 1950s was experiencing dramatic growth, driven by technological innovations (the 45 RPM single, improved vinyl pressing, the rise of jukeboxes) and cultural shifts (the emergence of teenage culture, rock and roll, and increased disposable income).

The New York City location of Cadence aligned with the geographic concentration of the American music industry during this period. Manhattan, in particular, served as the hub for record labels, publishers, and performing rights organizations, creating an ecosystem where independent labels could access necessary industry infrastructure.

### Legacy and Historical Value

While Cadence may not have achieved the lasting cultural impact of some contemporary labels, its historical value lies in representing the diversity of the American independent music scene during a formative period. The existence of such labels ensured that the phonographic industry remained competitive and that musical innovation could emerge from sources beyond the major conglomerates.

The comprehensive digital documentation of Cadence across multiple platforms ensures that its history remains accessible for future research. This preservation effort reflects broader trends in music documentation, where even modest independent labels are increasingly recognized as important components of music history.

### Connected Knowledge Entities

Cadence connects to several key entities in the knowledge graph:

- **Archie Bleyer**: The founder, whose personal vision and business decisions shaped the label's direction
- **United States**: The country of origin, providing the economic and cultural context for the label's operations
- **Cadence catalog**: The collection of releases associated with the label, representing its musical output
- **Record label (concept)**: The broader category defining Cadence's organizational type
- **Phonographic industry**: The sector within which Cadence operated

The label's documentation in five Wikipedia languages (commons, de, en, ja, nl) further demonstrates its international recognition and the global interest in American music history.

## References

1. MusicBrainz
2. Rate Your Music