Industry Insights

Jungle Rocks an Old Dairy in Camden Town

Label: Jungle Records
Artists: Iggy Pop, Fields of the Nephilim, Mercury Rev, The Eden House

This month marks the end of an era in Old Dairy Mews, a tiny cobbled allleyway opposite Camden's famous stables market.  Jungle Records, a mainstay of the independent alt. rock scene since the mid eighties, is moving to pastures new, to exploit their substantial catalogue in offices more suited to the digital age.

At the peak of the vinyl and CD market, when distributors and labels needed warehouses to store what now merely occupies megabites, the pressing plant vans came and went down the nightmarishly narrow alley, frequently leaving their wing mirrors behind.  Key Production, who manufacured all Jungle's product (and still do), were based in the same quaint building and it was a bustling community of like minded music obsessives making money out of what they loved most.  Key (who celebrate their twentieth anniversary this year) moved to another part of Camden some years ago, but Jungle have remained (until now), although the old warehouse, previously full of vinyl and CDs, has been put to better use as Goldtop recording studios.  So Jungle Records begin a new chapter, in new offices, with new releases and a substanital back catalogue, and long may they thrive.

Recent Insights

Jungle Rocks an Old Dairy in Camden Town

This month marks the end of an era in Old Dairy Mews, a tiny cobbled allleyway opposite Camden's famous stables market.  Jungle Records, a mainstay of the independent alt. rock scene since the mid eighties, is moving to pastures new, to exploit their substantial catalogue in offices more suited to the digital age.

Cherry Red, Still In The Pink

When punk exploded in the late seventies, it was the big bang that started the life cycle of many of today's most respected independent record labels.  One of these is Cherry Red Records, who celebrated their 30th anniversary last year and have evolved into a major market force in the music industry while still maintaining their autonomy.

Punk, Pop and Too Bloody Many 7"

Ian Ballard, the founder/manager/owner of Damaged Goods Records has been the recipient of quite a bit of media attention recently. His substantial vinyl collection was lauded in Record Collector magazine (he was Collector No. 65) and twelve releases on the label featured in The emusic Dozen.

Music Shopping for the Connoisseur

Way back at the end of the last millennium, 1989 to be precise, Pure Groove opened their record shop in Holloway riding the wave of the booming independent dance scene. Today, when over two thirds of music retail outfits have bitten the dust, Pure Groove are still around, and not only that, they are thriving in their new West Smithfield location.