The gradual resurgence of vinyl in the last few years, on the face of it, would seem to be nothing but good newls for House Music. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. As the bottom finally fell out of the vinyl market a decade or so ago, a new breed of Deep House emerged. Heavily influenced by the Balearic sound of the late ’90s, this Euro-centric music enjoyed strong sales on digital formats (and was responsible for me buying my first CDJ).
As vinyl came back into vogue, sales came almost exclusively from disco re-edits, bootlegs, re-issues and “throwback” House. Arguably the most original and innovative House music of the era was left behind in an uncertain digital world. Over the last few months however, it seems a lot of previously web-based labels are dipping a toe into the murky world of black plastic…
With over 40 fantastic releases made by producers you’ve probably never heard of, New Zealand’s UM Records are the latest to risk their first 12″ record. From Big Al’s understated terrace opener “Damelo”, to Marc Cotterell’s addictive deep groover “Into The Light” with its hauntingly over-saturated vocals, these four cuts provide a strong representation of the label for vinyl-heads. Here’s hoping UM’s gamble pays off, and more labels are able to follow suit..
