Release a compilation album: track rights, artists and catalogue records

Define the package and the recordings

Decide whether the project combines existing recordings, newly recorded material or both. Make a final running order and identify the exact approved audio for each track. An album-level theme does not replace the individual track records. A continuous DJ mix, a multi-artist compilation and one artist’s retrospective can require different handling; explain which project you are proposing.

Check permission track by track

• Who controls the exact master being included?
• What agreement authorises its use in this package, for the intended term and territories?
• Are composition uses and any samples, beats or other borrowed material appropriately addressed?
• Who approves the artist credit, artwork and promotional use?
• How will the relevant recording income be accounted for under the actual agreements?

A track already being available to stream does not establish your authority to distribute it or collect its income.

Keep artist credits accurate

Retain each track’s real artists and their profile references. Spotify describes compilation display and track-linking behaviour; Apple has its own album-level Various Artists rules. Confirm the applicable destination and current intake handling instead of placing the label name in every artist field or replacing all track performers with a generic compilation identity. Use the artist-role guide for the underlying contributor sheet.

Preserve the recording identifiers

For an unchanged recording, use its established ISRC with the correct source audio and history. Keep the new package’s release identifier separate. A remixed, edited or newly performed version needs its own assessment. The ISRC guide explains why a new package does not automatically mean a new recording. Do not promise that matching codes guarantee identical display, stream totals or playlist placement.

An original compilation worksheet

A small label plans a seasonal collection with six recordings. Its sheet has one row per track: approved filename, ISRC, performing artist and profile, rights holder, territory and term, permission reference, agreed accounting basis and outstanding task. One track’s permission is incomplete, so the label resolves it or revises the package before submission. This is a hypothetical workflow example, not a verified customer release.

Check platform behaviour without assuming payment

Spotify explains that an unavailable compilation track can sometimes play through linking to an identical authorised version, with royalties going to that version’s rightsholder. Successful playback is therefore not evidence that the compilation label receives that income. Confirm your authority and the actual delivery and accounting records; do not use track-linking as a way to avoid securing permissions.

Bring the package to DistroBolt

Send the proposed track list, artist count, rights scope and existing identifiers for a focused review of the release setup. Use the label distribution page and the label approval checklist to coordinate the project. Confirm actual plan coverage and any separate assistance before committing. This guide does not promise a specific compilation intake control, fee, approval or turnaround.