RED previously handled releases for more than sixty independent record labels.

In October 1999, Sony Music Entertainment sold 80% of RED Distribution to Edel SE & Co.

As part of this deal, a new company was launched, Red Essential, which is based at the Cooking Vinyl Group's West London offices.

[1] On June 5, Sony also included the American RED Distribution in its merger with The Orchard.

[1] As of September 2019, RED MUSIC was completely shuttered and consolidated into The Orchard.