In 1981 Joe Carter established his own label, Empathy Records, to feature his music and the music of other artists.

Samba Brasil is a quartet comprised of three North Americans and one Sao Paulo native. They blend breezy vocals, folk percussion and jazz improvisation into a rich and rhythmic brew of Samba, Baiao, Batucada and Bossa Nova. On this recording they have several guest instrumentalists including trombone, electric guitar, percussion and string quartet. SAMBA BRASIL So Many Stars Empathy Records Catlina Szabo - Vocals, Piano, Keyboards Gene Bozzi - Drums, Percussion, Vocals, Keyboards Jeff Fuller - Guitar, Bass Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards Tim Moran - Alto Sax, Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet List of Tunes: Brincadeira Friday The 13th So Many Stars Pra Sempre Garuta de Ipanema Manhã de Domingo Early Spring Paisagem Comica Five in the Shower Going Away Sacu du Patu Tristeza	"Brincadeira" "Garota de Ipanema" "Tristeza"
Casbah, The Cecil Payne Quartet, places baritone saxophonist and flautist Cecil Payne in a unique drumless quartet setting. The Bebop veteran of the Dizzy Gilliespie, Tadd Dameron and Randy Weston groups anchors a session that JazzTimes Magazine calls "a fine album" and Jazziz Magazine suggests it is "a cool jazz album definitely worth snagging." THE CECIL PAYNE QUARTET Casbah Stash Records Cecil Payne - Baritone Sax, Flute Richard Wyands - Piano Joe Carter - Guitar Stafford James - Bass List of Tunes: Casbah Carney Wave A Walkin' Thing Time After Time How Deep Is The Ocean Bosco	"Casbah"
Point Counterpoint, The Warren Chiasson Duo featuring Chuck Wayne showcases the duo that was a mainstay at the legendary New York jazzclub, Gregory's. This session, the last recording of guitar great Chuck Wayne, mixes jazz standards and originals in what Cadence Magazine describes as "a welcome meeting of two old friends." The WARREN CHIASSON DUO Point Counterpoint Empathy Records Warren Chiasson - Vibes Chuck Wayne - Guitar List of Tunes: Satin Doll Wave Waltz For Debby Shiny Stockings Festival My Funny Valentine Diane All The Things You Are	"Wave"
I Hear A Rhapsody, a recording by pianist Don Friedman, whom European author/ critic Joachim Berendt described as "one of the most important pianists of the 60s and 70s for whom the innovations of Bill Evans were a significant point of departure." In the year of its release this album was voted #3 for the year by John Norris (CODA Magazine publisher) in the CODA Magazine Critics' Poll "Friedman is a genuine virtuoso whose playing suggests that far from playing at the limit of his technique he has plenty left in reserve. This album is worth seeking out..."    Stuart Nicholson, The Wire DON FRIEDMAN I HEAR A RHAPSODY Stash Don Friedman - Piano List of Tunes: If I Should Lose You For All We Know 'Round Midnight Olivia I Hear A Rhapsody Half And Half Free Improvisation #1 My Foolish Heart The Song Is You Gentle Rain	"I Hear A Rhapsody"