Gone but not forgotten: 10 short-lived influential labels
Digging deep for your next favourite track
Chain Reaction (1995-2000)
When it comes to influence on the dub/minimal techno scene, more often than not the path leads back to Moritz Von Oswald and Mark Ernestus. Released under the duo’s Basic Channel moniker, their label of the same name and Ernestus’ Berlin record store Hard Wax and its Killasan soundsystem all played vital roles in forming the genre. Chain Reaction was a sub-label of Basic Channel that took a slightly more experimental approach than it’s parent. It was a platform for artists like Monolake, Porter Ricks, Fluxion and Vladislav Delay and managed to churn out 45 releases in its first five years. The label went on to release two more singles after that initial burst. Its last release came from Hallucinator in 2003, but the period from 1995 to 2000 was when they really struck gold.
Bromance Records (2011-2017)
It was with a very heavy heart that we said goodbye to Brodinski and Manu Barron's label at the beginning of this year. While we're aware it's far too early to say they're at the back of our memories, they are gone and they did leave us with an influential back catalogue. Kaytranada, Louisahhh!!! and Brodinski himself all graced the French label and Gesaffelstein's 'Control Movements' from the imprint's very first release is a standout. A techy steamer that set the tone for the next five years.
