Gone but not forgotten: 10 short-lived influential labels
Digging deep for your next favourite track
Music USA (1994-1996)
While New York’s dance scene has always been in the spotlight, whether because of the Paradise Garage or Strictly Rhythm, neighbour New Jersey deserves a fair share of acclaim. The Garden State boasts a proud dance music history that revolved around the infamous Club Zanzibar where Tony Humphries would spin the latest NJ sounds. Music USA was a sub-label founded by hip hop imprint Echo International as an outlet for the sound described by locals as uptempo r'n'b. It only lasted from 1994 to 1996, but its back catalogue is a goldmine for chunky drums, lush pianos and sultry vocals from singers like Colonel Abrams and Inner Life’s Wendell Morrison.
