Features
The Top 20 Record Labels Of 2016
These imprints have driven dance music forward this year
5 Lehult
"Read my lips," the vocal goes on DJ Assam's 'With A Sound In My Heart'. With a seductive voice like that, we'll do anything they tell us to. The tune instantly became a Mixmag office favourite and '8040', the title track of the EP, is a bundle of house joy, loaded with subtle acid stabs, bounding piano chords and a longing vocal cry. If summer-fresh house and disco-tinged jams are what you're after, Hamburg label Lehult's got a treasure-filled chest to delve into. It launched in 2014, with its biggest success being Liem's 'If Only', a track played by Kerri Chandler to pay tribute to the victims of the Le Bataclan tragedy last year.
No outsiders have been let into the label just yet. DJ Assam and Liem are two of the co-founders, alongside Lucky Charmz, Eddie Ness and Johan Kaseta, all of whom put out music this year. Lucky Charmz got squelchy with 'Latency Jam', Eddie Ness brought out the sun on 'Afro' and Johan Kaseta combined sugary, chipmunk vocals with a dose of swinging funk on 'Lei Tindissima'. While Hamburg's Golden Pudel has been closed for the majority of the year, the Lehult gang ensured the party was well and truly alive in the city by booking Jeremy Underground, Shanti Celeste and San Proper for their night at PAL. Boxing Day's looking to be a treat as well, with Lehult joining forces with Studio Barnhus for a post-Christmas bash. Still need persuading? This mix will bowl you over. D Turner
