And - SHAZAM! - the OP was gone.
Er, Warp Records, by the way.
And - SHAZAM! - the OP was gone.
Er, Warp Records, by the way.
I love Hyperion. Great classical stuff, and beautiful art choices for the covers as well.
Also, Shanachie. Lots of folk, ethnic, blues, and other eclectic types of music.
Shanachie is nice.
Historically, my favorite must be Amphetamine Reptile, even though they went belly up about a year ago. I think I own about 80% of their output and saw most every band on their label live.
My new favorite label, coming in at second place, would be Ninja Tune, home to so many great drum n bass, like Amon Tobin, Fog, …
I think that third place would be Touch and Go (with all of their affiliates, like quarterstick, drag city, etc) all the great Chicago bands and noteworthy business practices.
I’d love to put Discord higher on the list, but I just don’t know that many bands on this label any more. However, they get points simply for being run the way they are, and being home to Fugazi, Nation of Ulysses, Shudder to Think, Beefeater…
After that, my record collection consists of mostly Lookout, Alternative Tentacles, Boner, Sympathy for the Record Industry, Blast First, Glitterhouse, Grass, Tupelo, Caroline. I’m sure there’s more, but that’s what comes to mind this morning.
All Time? I also have to go with Touch & Go. Old Butthole Surfers, Jesus Lizard, Slint, Big Black, old Urge Overkill. As Ich’s Bin said, thrown in their affilaites – now you include bands like Gastr del sol, aerial/Papa M, Stereolab, Will Oldham/Palace, King Kong, Royal Trux, Smog on Drag city; and bands like June of 44, Rachel’s, Kepone, and (the much ass-kicking) Mule on Quarterstick. They had it goin on from the late 80s to the mid 1990s.
Thrill Jockey has/had Tortoise, The Sea and Cake, Trans AM, a Minor Forest and all the side projects from these bands (Brokeback, Sam Prekop, Isotope 217, Archer Prewitt, etc). Good shit there.
I have to mention Cargo, because they have released everythign that is good about San Diego Music. Most of it revolving around Rob Crow, ABS IV, and Pall Jenkins – Including Three Mile Pilot, Thingy, Pinback, Heavy Vegetable, Black Heart Procession, and Optiganally Yours.
Moving forward, it looks like as if Jade Tree seems to be getting some steam behind them – Euphone, Jets to Brazil, Pedro the Lion, Joan of Arc.
Verve for Jazz
London for Classical
Varese Sarabande for Film Scores
My favorite is Bloodshot Records. I can honestly say I’ve never been disappointed with any disc I’ve listened to with their label on it.
From their philosophy statement:
I’ve become assured enough of their ability to pick good music that I’d be comfortable ordering anything from them without hearing it first. Case in point is the terrific Alejandro Escovedo disc I’ve got spinning right now. It’s an interesting mix of Tejano, Rock and even some country.
Another thing I’ve noticed: Although most of it isn’t my cup of tea, you are hardpressed to find anything crappy on Rykodisc.
I personally like A Different Drum Records, which is also a damn fine online record store.
Hopeless records
Jade tree
Discord
Are the labels that I find release consistently good bands.
Immediate Records. Loved a good 90% of the stuff Immediate owner and former Stones manager Andrew Oldham put out.
abm
Minus Records and it’s earlier incarnation(well kinda) Plus 8. Plus 8 was started by two of my favorite DJs, Richie Hawtin and John Aquaviva. They also throw the best warehouse parties ever, Richie’s parties are the stuff of legends here in Detroit. They’re always on the cutting edge of Electronic Music.
I like Rough Trade and Mute. While there are bad artists on those labels, they’re outnumbered and outshined by the good ones.