Ropeadope Records says it will focus on its digital-only releases in 2007. To that end, Ropeadope will create a digital imprint, Ropeadope Digital (read press release). Artists signed to the digital imprint will retain their masters. The first round of releases will come from artists such as Skip Heller, Electric City, Aunt Jessica and DJ Klock. The label goes through IODA for digital distribution and RED for physical distribution.

Ropeadope Digital releases will be sold at Ropadope.com as well as the usual music download stores. Wired's Listening Post blog reports the downloads will be sold in MP3 format at Ropeadope.com.

The list of digital-only labels is sure to grow in 2007. Warner Music Group's Cordless Recordings, launched in November of 2005, is testing a digital-only business model. (Some of its titles may be released on CD, but it is predominantly a digital label.) CBS Records was recently re-launched as a digital label. Another trend will be digital-only releases on all sorts of labels. Look for more and more labels to use the low cost of digital distribution to release fan-focused material while using physical formats for more important releases.