Five record labels you need to know about

With the enormous amount of new music distributed online every hour of every day, it can be sometimes frustrating to find a dedicated output of sonically pure, well crafted records. Below is a list of five record labels you shouldn’t have to live without, enjoy.

 
5. Needwant

With a catalogue that includes Ejeca, Mario Basanov, Kim Ann Foxman and Soul Clap, we start things off with London imprint Needwant at number five. Having put out over 30 label releases and a number of LPs and samplers Needwant have become a respect hub of chunky electronica, house and techno.

Having marked 5 Years with a 23 tracked sampler and releasing Ashworth’s highly appreciated Grain LP, Needwant will no doubt seek to finish the year in style and welcome 2016 with a view from the top.
 
 
4. Milk & Sugar Recordings

Second up on our list is Milk & Sugar Recordings, headed by iconic DJ duo Milk & Sugar this Munich based label have released everyone from Kolombo, Manuel De La Mare and Doorly.

It doesn’t come more impressive than this when you consider longevity, the label have put out a staggering 189 cuts, including over 30 label samplers. A stand out record for us is KANT’s edit of label heads Ready Or Not for MSR189.

 
3. Domino Effect Recordings

#3 marks the youngest imprint on our list, a task not easy to achieve. S.Jay & Ostertag’s Leeds based Domino Effect label has rose to the top of house and garage in less time than some labels put out one or two releases.

With a catalogue full of names like DJOKO, Raffa FL and Kyle Watson they show no sign of slowing down and we wouldn’t doubt Domino Effect being a staple of British music in the next five years.

 
2. BPitch Control

The biggest label on the list by far, BPitch Control is a massive imprint and to most will need no introduction, but still less known than we feel it deserves. The Berlin label has released everyone from Camea and Paul Kalkbrenner to Ellen Allien and Dixon, being responsible for some of the biggest records in German music.

2015 has been a massive year for BPitch Control, having seen players from Camea, Joy Wellboy, Ejeca and Phon.o, we just can’t wait to see what 2016 brings for the renowned output.

 
1. Watergate

Our #1 pick of record labels you need to know comes in the form of a Germany collective of nightclub meets record label. The locally famous Watergate club, known for it’s unique dancefloor views of the neighbouring river also houses one of the most innovative labels in dance music; Watergate Records.

Home to talents such as Alex Niggemann, Marco Resmann and Ruede Hagelstein among many others, the imprint is a go to for lovers of deep house and techno.