New documentary drops today to celebrate 25 years of AKO Beatz
It premieres today in celebration of the Drum ‘n’ Bass label
A documentary is being released today to celebrate the 25th anniversary of drum ‘n’ bass labels A-Ko Recordings and AKO Beatz.
It’s available for free, and features contributions from the likes of Goldie, Mantra and Double-O.
Catch the trailer below:
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DJ Stretch launched A-Ko Recordings in 1996. Since, a number of offshoots have emerged, including AKO Beatz. Founded in 2014, it focuses on pushing both new and establish artists working within jungle and drum ‘n’ bass.
On the doc, Stretch tells Mixmag: "It was important for me to document the last 25 years of AKO and its importance in the jungle / drum and bass scene. 25 years needs to be celebrated with all the fans, DJs, producers, design team and record stores that have all supported the label."
The project has been managed by Stretch and Verity Raphael, with additional footage filmed by DJ Jay Mistry.
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The full documentary has also been edited and produced by DJ N.E. Girl - aka Esther Wanyama - based in Copenhagen. She’s one third of Solumn Records, and resident at Co-Select: a London collective that advocates for balanced representation in underground music.
You can view the documentary on Youtube from 6pm today (December 25).
Niamh Ingram is Mixmag’s Weekend Editor, follow her on Twitter