Producing Instrumental CD containing copywrited music

[jdjazz]

I would like to produce and sell a CD (Instrumental) containing copywrited songs. I will be performing the tunes and recording mixdowns myself.


I know about mechanical licenses but I would like to know the correct steps to take in order not to violate any laws.

These are mostly Italian and French songs with a few standards thrown in..

When I went to BMI, ASCAP and Harry Fox for the search on who owns the copywrite but there are numerous people who own various rights to the song..
How do you tell which person is the right one to contact for permission?

Record labels such as Columbia and Arista do produce these CD's - I imagine that you can request to send a demo to these compainies (correct)?

Thanks
jdjazz