10 of the most influential disco labels of the last decade

Established in 2002 by Gerd Janson and Thorsten Scheu (though now it's mainly DJ and producer Gerd at the helm), Running Back is known for forward-thinking, modern electronic disco and quality analogue house that continues to push the boundaries of 4/4. Leon Vynehall recently released his artist album 'Rojus' (Designed To Dance) on the imprint, which very much serves as a who's who of talented underground artists. Redshape, Theo Parrish, Phillip Lauer, Matthew Styles, Mr.G, Move D have all offered their services. Most dance music fans will have heard Todd Terje's 'Ragysh' from 2011, a release that very much epitomises the hypnotic, groove laden, style of the label. In fact the modern disco overtones, which often strike a similar chord to the Nordic disco scene is what makes Running Back more than just another house label. Such is the cult status of the imprint, it's the place that many big, established artists would kill to release on for the kudos.

Born out of frustration in the middle of nowhere (Uruguay), responsible for bringing DJ Harvey back into the studio and famous for its curveballs (Adventure Party, Marcellus Pitman and Baldelli remixes). Mark Barrott now runs the label from his compound in Northern Ibiza, which, according to Harvey’s definition of Balearic Music (‘music made in the Balearic Islands’), makes him a true modern purveyor of the genre. Releasing eclectic nu-Balearic music with quality cover art, it's at the forefront of the nu-Balearic movement, a scene of diggers mining library music, obscure b-movie soundtrack gems and for post-party meanderings.

Disco has really seemed to resonate with Scandinavians in recent years. So much so that it's lead to it's own genre: Nordic disco. Norwegian label Full Pupp, founded by Prins Thomas and Stevie Kotey, is a leading figure in the scene and responsible for seminal releases from the likes of Todd Terje, spearheading a hypnotic analogue nordic sound that has gone on to define modern day disco.

Since it's inception in 2009, Jimpster's label has become a go-to for big-name house and disco tracks. Artists like Session Victim, Tornado Wallace and 6th Borough Project have made their names on the imprint with disco-influenced bombs. In particular, Session Victim's collaborations have all been smartly-sampled dancefloor fillers which has resulted in two full-length albums, 2012's 'The Haunted House Of House' and 2014's 'See You When You Get There'. Bucking the trend of, at the time, declining vinyl sales, their vinyl releases have seen them become a favourite for DJs like Seth Troxler, Soul Clap and Deetron.

Soul Clap is a Boston-based label run by Soul Clap’s Eli and Charlie that’s been releasing since 2012. The imprint is part of Crew Love, a collaborative concept from them, Wolf + Lamb and Double Standard, pushing the boundaries of e-funk, hip hop and disco. With notable releases from Nick Monaco, Midnight Magic and Benoit & Sergio, the label has also introduced legendary jazz funk musicians to a new audience and found a home for new records from the inimitable George Clinton of Parliment fame.