New York, NY - For the first time in its 28-year history, High Times magazine has made a groundbreaking leap into the world of music with its newest entity High Times Records. In keeping with its grass roots approach, High Times Records has teamed up with indie distributor Caroline Distribution to offer an eclectic mix of releases.

Mike Esterson (Papaya Records, 420 Tours), producer of the infamous High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, has been named president of High Times Records. To round out the team, he's called upon High Times magazine staffer Devin Horwitz to handle A&R and Dru-Ha of Duck Down Records as a marketing/label consultant.

"We at Caroline couldn't be happier than to be joining forces with a bastion of the counterculture as enduring and widely-read as High Times. We've always been impressed by their consistent support for music from outside the mainstream. Their affinity for many of the musical genres that Caroline has enjoyed success with, along with their access to a broad and very loyal following of readers and artists, make them a great candidate to run their own label, and a perfect partner for us," explains Michael Bull, VP of Label Relations, Caroline Distribution.

High Times Records plans to cater to music and marijuana lovers alike, while working with artists who truly understand that special synergy. The premier release, THC (The Hip-Hop Collection) Vol.1 (to be released April 16th) is a 14 song Hip Hop compilation sure to intrigue even the most discriminating fan. The record boasts all new and exclusive material crafted with High Times in mind. Contributions have come in from such stand-out artists as RZA (Wu-Tang Clan), B-Real (Cypress Hill), The Pharcyde, The Beatnuts, The High and Mighty, and Black Moon. As a follow-up summer release, reggae fans can expect a soundclash not to be forgotten. Mad Professor squares off against The Scientist for the ultimate in dub battles, as recorded live at The Cannabis Cup.

President Mike Esterson is confident in the success of this new venture explaining, "The High Times brand name has proven itself to be an awesome marketing weapon and will continue to do so with this endeavor."

With over 500,000 readers, High Times Magazine is a newsstand mainstay. The publication is well respected for chronicling three decades of music and marijuana coverage as seen through the eyes of the counterculture. High Times is excited to be working with these cutting edge musicians in a greater capacity than just within the pages of the magazine.

Caroline Distribution has been a force in independent national distribution for the past 18 years, specializing in underground and outsider music from Punk and Indie Rock to Metal, Electronic Dance music and Hip Hop. Caroline has been instrumental in developing the pre-major label careers of artists such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Mos Def, The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, Primus, Soundgarden, Faith No More, Green Day, The Offspring, Blink 182, Jurassic 5 and countless others.