Biophilia Records

Lore & Background

Fabian Almazan, a Grammy-nominated jazz pianist and composer born in Havana, Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida, studied at the Manhattan School of Music. He performed his own music and worked with Terence Blanchard, as well as contributing to film scores for Spike Lee and George Lucas. Drawing inspiration from biologist Edward O. Wilson's book 'Biophilia', which examines human-environment interaction, Almazan founded Biophilia Records in 2011. The label's first release was his own album 'Personalities', followed by others including Endless Field's eponymous album and Linda May Han Oh's 'Walk Against the Wind', totaling 19 more albums over the years.

The label releases all its music on double-sided, 20-panel origami-like packages that include artwork and liner notes. Instead of a CD, the package contains a code for purchasers to download the music online. Almazan trademarked the packaging as Biopholio™, stating, 'There’s this current movement towards vinyl. But I couldn’t in good conscience start a label and make vinyl and CDs knowing there are already hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic in the ocean, not to mention on land.' Biophilia also works with its artists to volunteer with local environmental and sustainability causes, inviting fans to join events such as marshland cleanups, tree plantings, and free community performances for public school children. Label artists gave a solar-powered Earth Day concert in New York's Union Square on March 18, 2017, in partnership with BioBus, a mobile laboratory that brings science to the city's children.

Reader's Guide

Biophilia Records represents a notable intersection of music and environmental activism. By rejecting traditional plastic-based formats like CDs and vinyl, the label introduced an innovative packaging solution—the Biopholio™—that reduces waste while still providing a physical product with artwork and liner notes. This approach, combined with artist-led volunteer initiatives and solar-powered concerts, positions the label as a model for sustainable practices in the music industry. Its roster includes a range of jazz and experimental artists, such as bassist Linda May Han Oh, percussionist Rajna Swaminathan, and saxophonist María Grand, among others. While the label's output remains modest—over 20 albums as of the article—its philosophy has influenced discussions around eco-friendly distribution. The label's significance lies in demonstrating that a record company can operate with environmental responsibility as a core principle, without sacrificing artistic integrity or fan engagement.

Did You Know?

• Biophilia Records was founded in 2011 by musician Fabian Almazan in Harlem, New York.
• The label's packaging, trademarked as Biopholio™, is a double-sided, 20-panel origami-like package that includes a download code instead of a CD.
• Almazan drew inspiration for the label from biologist Edward O. Wilson's book 'Biophilia'.