PAPA RECORDS

Established in 2002, in East London, by Oli Lazarus, Papa Records has released house music with scale and efficiency over the years but protected, impressively, its core commitment to serving substance and impact. The label, today, is an institution, with over 150 singles and albums tucked proudly under its belt. The list of contributors is, in turn, remarkable - a who’s who of innovators and motivators including legends of the game Blaze, Atjazz, Jon Cutler, Reel People and Osunlade alongside comparatively fresh-faced producers like Richard Earnshaw, Sebb Junior, Jude Brown and N-You-Up. Cooking up intense house goodness that radiates with deep, soulful, jazzy and even broken beat influences, Papa is where dancefloor dreams are made…

Of late, those dreams are conjuring particular snap and bite. The label is adding newfound grit and muscle to its discography, as Sebb Junior’s hard-funkin’ Dolla Bill, N-You-Up feat. Mike Dunn’s bangin’ Jack My Body and Jude Brown’s deep ‘n’ drivin’ Bad For Me EP all testify. These straight-up dance tracks highlight a beautiful new direction for Papa. One that respects the past but takes clubland’s electronic future by the scruff of the neck. One that explores hard ‘n’ soul with intelligence, excitement and unassailable flair.