N-Coded Music
N-Coded Music is a New York City-based record label specializing in releases from artists in the smooth jazz genre.
The label was originally known as N2K Encoded Music, formed in 1997 by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen, founders of GRP Records, and producer Phil Ramone. Their original business model was to break out new artists and groups from various genres (mainly smooth jazz) by releasing their music through its co-owned online music site, Music Boulevard, in the form of CDs and downloads using the Liquid Audio format. CDs were also distributed by Sony Music's independent RED Distribution for the traditional retail market. Artists signed to N2K Encoded included Jonathan Butler, Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame), and Candy Dulfer, to name a few.
After Music Boulevard and its main competitor CDNOW merged, N2K Encoded was sold to Warlock Records and renamed N-Coded Music. The rock artists signed to the label did not make the cut.