I think Marshall is trying to build a relationship with these young artists....it's obvious that they have a lot of potential...since they ended the Gold CD program I don't think they handle conventional CD's...
Its a very good idea.
Perhaps Mr. Blonstein would consider some Surround SACD releases of these fresh young artists?
Nice and cheap to do, no licensing, engineers can create the 5.1 alongside the Stereo mix.
Who knows down the line AF might sign/distribute some of the talented artists who produce new music in Surround that we have resident here at QQ (quite a few newer members here are making great new music in 5.1, check it out at every opportunity a lot of it is excellent, albeit in download only form a lot of the time which I'm not a mega fan of) ...and in that way AF could really crank up their Surround release schedule, more cheaply and easily for them.
Just a thought.