January 9, 2003 - Toronto, Canada -- Casablanca Media Acquisitions Inc. today announced a new joint venture with Chicago based Trax Records. The deal will see Casablanca work with Trax Records and its associated labels and publishing division to acquire and develop new recording and publishing interests. Casablanca has also been appointed the worldwide administrator of the existing Trax recording and publishing catalogue.

Largely responsible for the establishment of House Music throughout the world, Trax Records burst on the scene in the early 1980âs with a unique sound that earned the moniquer "House" because of its warehouse roots. A string of classic dance hits followed including Move Your Body, Baby Wants To Ride, Washing Machine, Can U Feel It, House Nation, Acid Trax, Your Love, We are Phuture, and U Used to Hold Me.

In addition to its extensive back catalogue of master recordings and publishing, Trax also established Phat Trax, one of the hottest underground urban/hip hop dance labels. Phat Traxâs first release, La Who by La Junta quickly became the most downloaded track on French MP3.com. "The principals of Trax, Larry Sherman and Rachel Cain, have a raw instinct for this genre," commented Casablanca President Ed Glinert. "They are always one step ahead of where the scene is going -- they have a magic touch. We are delighted to team up with Trax and to help them achieve the next level of success".

Larry Sherman believes that "Casablanca has the right mix of experience and displays a great sensibility for what Trax is all about". Mr. Sherman went on to say, "I'm really excited about the new opportunities that this joint venture will bring to Trax, to our artists, and to the future of dance and urban music".