Defected Records Labels
Label Profile

 

There is no question Defected is the biggest player in dance music right now. From festivals, to Spotify playlists, key artists rosters, its Defected Radio show, and a stable of labels that has huge reach and impact for any release. Led by Simon Dunmore and Wez Saunders the company is a hugely influential influencer of Dj sets and line ups around the world.

 

It’s a brilliant model - all based on selling out events - from introducing artists on their social media channels, to having them remix another track, to their own releases and then lower profile feature spots on Defected Tours before building their profile to headliners. It’s a glorious machine and it works.

 

As a company Dunmore’s background at AM:PM and Cooltempo has shaped his broad appreciation of the many shades of house music, whilst Saunders ran several labels before joining the company and leading them to more successes. They have a host of labels from Defected to Glitterbox, who have massive audiences to Movin’s Records, Faya Combo and Freeze Records who may be lesser known to most. But here’s a snap shot of the bigger names that come under the Defected umbrella.

 

Defected

Defected Records the front line label that specialises in house music. Founded in 1999 by former AM:PM and Cooltempo A&R Simon Dunmore, and initially funded by London nightclub and label Ministry of Sound. The label was an immediate success - the first release being Soulsearcher’s ‘Can’t Get Enough’. Twenty years on and the label is running events globally, including their own six-day festival in Croatia.

 

Glitterbox

A label Dunmore often champions, the disco-inspired label based on the Defected Ibiza club night events brings the glam and show business to things. The label is managed by Seamus Haji who also does the labels A&R.

 

DFTD

DFTD started in 2003 as a deeper look at the Defected Records sound. For me it’s the best label they run. It focuses on fresher, newer, undiscovered talent from around the world - along with the occasional appearance of big established names when the sound takes them away from the more commercial sounding house productions. For Deep House heads this label is bound to feature in their crates.

 

Classic Music Company

Back in 1994 Luke Solomon and Derrick Carter began Classic Music Company and UM was on their original promo list - the label was quirky and different to anything else. The pair established a roots of diverse artists who bucked convention but shared a desire to satisfy only their own artistic intentions. Creating a platform to share their left-of-centre house selections with the world, Classic began in 1994 as a vinyl imprint, starting at catalogue #100 and counting backwards to zero. Once at zero, Classic retreated briefly before coming back stronger, wonkier and with extended family under the Defected umbrella. In 2018 Classic Music Company branched out into events and gigs - as is the Defected model, to huge acclaim.

 

4 To The Floor

4 To The Floor is very much a keto label, or as Luke Solomon put it “4 To The Floor is very much about selecting music that has stood the test of time. It’s a celebration of house music history.” With names like Kings of Tomorrow, David Morales, DJ Seen, Mousse T, King Britt, Robert Owens, Luke Solomon and more featuring.

 

Yoruba

Yoruba Records is of course the label of Osunlade. Globally known for its deep house music, the label has in recent years contributed to a more diverse world music approach as Osunalde has explored those African expressions of music and ryhthm. With its signature dance music, Yoruba still holds as one of the most influential independent labels around today.

 

Soulfuric

Soulfuric Recordings is one of the most renowned labels in House music worldwide and has released material from highly acclaimed artists such as Soulsearcher Axwell, Cleptomaniacs, Brian Tappert, Jazz'n'Groove, Copyright, Hardsoul, Jask, John Julius Knight, DJ Fudge, Ron Carroll, Dj Meme and Bobby D’Ambrosio just to name a few. Soulfuric itself has a number of sublabels which other include, Soulfuric Deep, Soulfuric Traxx, and Device.

 

Slip n Slide

Defected recently bought the Slip n Slide catalogue. A label I grew up on and one most house heads will be very familiar with. Slip N Slide was originally founded in London the early 90s as a platform for the very best of the new wave of US House music that was sweeping in from across the Atlantic at the time. It was soon amongst the trend setters in house music, on par with Strictly Rhythm, Henry Street and Nervous Records.

 

The label built a name for itself taking chances on young producers with talent, and went on to release some of the best early tracks and remixes from now legendary producers and DJs over the years. X-Press 2, Deep Dish, Masters At Work, Kings Of Tomorrow, King Britt, Josh Wink, Peace Division, Joey Negro and of course the mighty Blaze, (who for many became synonymous with the label).