Acid Jazz Records continues to roll on along its idiosyncratic and fiercely independent path more than 3 decades after founder Eddie Piller set up the label with Gilles Peterson in an attempt to document the music that was emerging fom their small London scene. Piller dreamt bigger and when after only a year Peterson was tempted away by a big money offer from the major label Phonogram, the label began to develop into the behemoth it became. A revamped team – including current label partner Dean Rudland – were behind the emergence of an international scene named after the label. A sense of the wonder of the pop potential of great soul music made international stars of Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies and The James Taylor Quartet, whilst cult artists like Mother Earth and Corduroy lay down exciting sounds and critically aclaimed recordings.

Established as an international marque of quality, it looked at ways of branching out. Some of its associated projects included the ground-breaking Blue Note nightclub in Hoxton Square, and the music of all genres radio station Totally Wired Radio. Whilst always holding true to its love of the classic soul, jazz, funk, mod, folk and psychedelic sounds, it has mixed a tendency to look back with an excitement at embracing the future. These are always in accordance with a continued dedication to releasing music old and new on the label and its subsidiaries.

Today the label is the home to Matt Berry’s exceptional records, The Lightning Orchestra’s psychedelic afro-beat adventures, the roots explorations of the Soul Revivers, and the highly successful On The Corner with Martin Freeman and Eddie Piller compilation series. Our collaboration with Argentinian producer Kevin Fingier brings us a melting pot of retro soul, latin and African influenced 45s on his Fingier Records label. Recently Countdown Records has been revived to bring us mod influenced music both old and new, including a new album by one of our great inspirations Graham Day, and reissues by The Prisoners, Fleur De Lys and Makin’ Time. We also do a great line of jazz, soul and funk reissues on Acid Jazz and our sister label Miles Away, while reggae is catered for by our Roots label. A deal with West African label Albarika Stores gives us another vibrant out-let.