House Music Labels to Know
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There are plenty of house music labels out there, but which ones are worth your time? Here are a few of our favorites that you should definitely check out.
Defected Records
Hailing from the UK, Defected Records is one of the most renowned house music labels in the world. The label was founded in 1999 by Simon Dunmore, and it has been responsible for releases from some of the biggest names in house music, including Dennis Ferrer, MK, andCopyright. In addition to its impressive roster of artists, Defected Records is also known for its standout compilation albums, which are perfect for both newcomers and diehard fans of the genre.
Founded in 1997
The label was founded by Paul Woolford and specialises in deep house and techno. The label has released records from the likes of Matthew Dear, Maceo Plex, DJ Koze, and Karenn.
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in disco clubs in the 1970s. It was created by DJs who played extended, repetitive club versions of existing pop songs. These DJs were influenced by earlier disco DJS such as Francis Grasso and Larry Levan. House music quickly spread to other nightclubs and then to outdoor parties and raves, becoming an international phenomenon.
There are many different subgenres of house music, each with its own distinctive sound. Some of the most popular include acid house, deep house, hard house, hip house, and soulful house.
Disco, soul, funk
Disco, soul, funk – it’s the music that defined a generation and continues to influence the sound of popular culture today. The genre was born in the early 1970s, and by the end of the decade, it had taken the world by storm. From the glittering dance floors of New York City to the red light districts of Europe, disco was the sound of a generation.
Today, disco is enjoying something of a renaissance, with a new generation of producers and DJs taking influence from the sound of the 1970s. If you’re looking to get into disco, here are some of the best labels to keep an eye out for.
Defected Records
Founded in 1999, Defected is one of the leading lights of the disco revival. The label has released music from some of the biggest names in house music, including Masters at Work, Copyright, and Klangkarussell. In recent years, they’ve also begun to branch out into other genres, signing artists like Soul Clap and displaying a keen ear for talent.
Glitterbox Recordings
Founded by Simon Dunmore in 2014, Glitterbox is a subsidiary of Defected Records. The label is devoted to releasing modern disco records that harken back to the sound and spirit of classic disco. With a roster that includes Horse Meat Disco, Loleatta Holloway, and Dimitri From Paris, Glitterbox is one of the most essential labels in contemporary disco.
Natura Viva
An Italian label founded in 2006 by DJ and producer Stefano Noferini, Natura Viva is home to some of the finest tech-house and techno artists in the world. The label has released music from big names like Carl Cox and Dubfire, as well as up-and-coming talents like Mollono.Bass and Ryan Elliott. If you’re looking for cutting-edge techno with a bit of a vintage twist, Natura Viva is definitely worth checking out.
Dirtybird
Dirtybird Records is an American house music record label founded by Claude VonStroke in 2005. The label has become known for its quirky, party-centric releases, which are primarily focused on VonStroke’s own productions. The label’s releases have been supported by a wide range of DJs, including Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and Tiesto.
Founded in 2005
Dirtybird is a house music label founded by Claude VonStroke in San Francisco in 2005. The label’s releases are known for their quirky, fun-loving style and have been championed by some of the biggest names in dance music, including Skream, Maceo Plex, and Eats Everything.
Dirtybird has put out some of the biggest tracks in recent years, including VonStroke’s “Who’s Afraid of Detroit” and “The Birdhouse”, Justin Martin’s “Ghettos & Gardens”, andClaude VonStroke’s “Vocal Chords”.
The label is home to a number of talented artists, including Shiba San, Shadow Child, Joker, and Will Clarke.
House, techno, tech house
Dirtybird is a house music label started in San Francisco by Claude VonStroke. The first release was “The Whistler” by fellow San Franciscan Justin Martin. The label has since become known for its fun and playful take on house music, often with quirky or humorous samples. Notable releases include “Hoes Get Down” by J.Phlip and ” badass in the kitchen” by Claude VonStroke himself.
Funky, groovy, bass-driven
Dirtybird is a house music record label founded by Claude VonStroke in 2005. The label’s releases are predominately funky, groovy, bass-driven house music. Dirtybird has released music by Claude VonStroke, Eats Everything, Green Velvet, J. Phlip, Kill Frenzy, Justin Martin, Shadow Child, and Sonny Fodera. The label’s releases are available on vinyl and digital download.
Anjunadeep
Founded in 2005
Anjunadeep is a London-based record label founded in 2005 by group James Grant and Jaytech. The label is a deep house offshoot of Anjunabeats, founded in 2000. The label has been home to many artists including Dusky, Yotto, Cubicolor, Lane 8, and Martin Roth.
Deep house, progressive house
Anjunadeep is a London-based record label representing the deeper and more progressive side of house and techno music. The Anjunadeep sound is typified by hypnotic melodies, ethereal vocal stabs, rolling basslines and Detroit-inspired drums. The label was founded in 2005 by Above & Beyond and James Grant, as a sub-label of their dance music focused label Anjunabeats. Over the past fifteen years, Anjunadeep has helped launch the careers of some of dance music’s biggest names such as Lane 8, Dusky, Cubicolor and Yotto.
The label’s debut release came in 2006 from musical polymath Jaytech with his record ‘Everything Is Alright’. Jaytech would go on to become one of the label’s biggest acts, releasing six artist albums on Anjunadeep across his career. other notable early releases include Andrew Bayer’s ‘Act I / Alchemy / Act II’ EP trilogy and Nitin Sawhney’s ‘Steer By The Stars / Falling In Love Again’ double A-side single.
In recent years, Anjunadeep has continued to go from strength to strength. In 2019, the label hosted its first-ever stage at Tomorrowland festival in Belgium, while also expanding its reputation for quality live shows with showcases atUltra Music Festival in Miami and Mysteryland in Chile. With a back catalogue boasting over 300 releases and a forward-thinking A&R policy, Anjunadeep is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Melodic, emotive
Anjunadeep is a house music label known for its melodic, emotive sound. The label was founded in 2005 by Jono Grant and Tony McGuinness, two of the three members of the UK trance group Above & Beyond. Anjunadeep has released music from a variety of artists, including Dusky, Yotto, and Lane 8. The label’s music has been featured on several major radio stations, including BBC Radio 1 and Sirius XM.
