A couple of years back, music from 1962 and before became available for re-issue by numerous labels in the UK. Real Gone Music [[UK label) and Jasmine have issued some great packages, including re-issues of Motown tracks from the early days. [[Real Gone has issued some great sets on jazz artists and crooners via their "8 Classic Albums" series. There are a couple of Motown sets among these, including an album set and a Motown singles set.)

My question is: How do these labels get access the music? Aren't the original recordings still owned by and stored in the record company vaults and archives? Who gives these various record companies access to all of this old music? Do they use the master recordings? Who allows them do get to them? How does this work?

I would sure love some help with this matter.