I tend to buy books without having any actual intention of reading them, but due to extreme boredom, i recently got in touch with my geeky side.

I came across this series of books by blackdog publishing called Labels Unlimited. Each book is dedicated to a specific label and provides a history of some of the UK's most interesting Independent Record labels. It also shows the artwork of nearly every release, so if you like your books to contain more pictures than texts, these books will be just your thing!

Labels Unlimited: Rough Trade Records
Geoff Travis is probably one of my biggest heroes in the music industry.. ALOT of the bands he's signed were absolute wank but he did strike gold on a number of occasions. Starting up a popular record store, he started working with local musicians, after a band from france came to visit him, he started up Rough Trade and through his unique business techniques, he laid down the foundations of what to do and what not to do when running a music business..
His biggest success was probably the signing of the smiths and although the business went to the shitter some years after they left, he picked himself up again and went on to sign the likes of the strokes and the libertines.

Labels Unlimited: Warp Records
Leading independent Warp is the home of Aphex twin. I still get a bit freaked out by him so i'm delaying looking at the pictures for a little while!!

Labels Unlimited: Ace Records
Being Irish, i was really impressed by the achievements of the companies founders. Belfast man, Roger Armstrong worked with the likes of irish booking legend Jim Aiken, irish trad group the Chieftains, as well as tour-managing for the Horslips. His partner, englishman Ted Carroll also managed Thin Lizzy. so before they had even started their label, they'd worked with HUGE music names (in Ireland anyway). Starting as a london record stall, the guys started importing old american music (1950's rocknroll, jazz, blues etc) and they've based an entire business model on licensing other peoples music and selling it here.

There's other books in this series, notably one based on Ninja Tune due out in the summer... (co-written by pete quicke as well!)

Virgin: A history of virgin records

I've not actually read this yet but with company that signed the likes of the sex pistols and with a founder that pretty much owns the word 'entrepreneur', it should be an interesting read. if buying this, make sure the shop has bags to put it in as walking about london with a massive book saying virgin in huge red letters, might get you a few looks on the tube.

The Rise and Fall of EMI Records
This book isn't really a picture book but it's probably one of the best i've picked up. Electronic and Musical Industries has had a craaaazy history, starting up HMV, selling random products like x-ray machines, signing the beatles and wierdly owning the blackpool tower. This book tells you how a little company from England established itself as one of the big four record labels and redefines in my head what a major is meant to be. Suprisingly it's not based around the success artists but more about it's executives and their successes (including the beatles, buying virgin), failures and their backstabbings. for any wannabe music industry heads, you need to check this book out.