Melodiya
The Russian Label.
Melodiya was the state-owned major record company/label of the Soviet Union. It was established in 1964 as the All-Union Gramophone Record Firm of the USSR Ministry of Culture Melodiya. It utilized gigantic resources of numerous recording studios, manufacturing facilities throughout the USSR as well as a powerful centralized distribution and promotion system. The best selling format at the time was 33 1/3 and 45 RPM Vinyl records. As of 1973 Melodiya released some 1,200 gramophone records with the total circulation of 190-200 million per year and 1 million compact cassettes per year and was exporting its production into more than 70 countries.