German chemical company BASF is the largest chemical company in the world. BASF originally stood for Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik (Baden Aniline and Soda Factory). It was founded in Mannheim, Germany, by Friedrich Engelhorn in 1865 for the production of dyes, in 1867 he managed the first industrial synthesis of Indigo, with the effect that jeans became affordable work clothes. They later became leading in the development of plastics (Nylon, Styropor).

The record label run by German chemical company BASF, started financing recordings of classical music in the 1930s and started making stereo recordings in the early 1940s. In the 50s mostly classical and jazz records and later on some popular music as well. After talks for a takeover by Polygram fell through, BASF discontinued their music division effective Dec 31st 1976. Up to this date BASF was listed as distibutor also in the rimtext of the labels in combination with the MPS label. In the US the label remained active until at least October 1978, by the local licensee Audiofidelity Enterprises.

In 1935, IG Farben and AEG presented the "Magnetophone" – the first tape recorder – at the Radio Exhibition in Berlin, and BASF had a magnetic tape division. After acquiring Agfa-Gevaert (which produced photo and film materials) in the 1990s, BASF Magnetics was spun-off into the French Emtec, producing magnetic media products and other computer related consumables such as recordable CDs.

Label Code: LC 2685

BASF used the CRA/CRM/CRF/CRP etc. prefix only in 1971 - from April until the end of the year. In the end of 1971 the cataloguing system was changed into the seven digit numbers.