Exceptional Records
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Exceptional Records is a record label founded in London in 1999. It focuses on electronica, deep house, jazz, break beats, hip hop, broken beats and techno.
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[edit] Label overview
Artists on the label come from all across the globe. Notable signings include Plej, two Swedish brothers whose sound is characterised by their playful, melodic and experimental approach to house music. The duo have already achieved much critical acclaim, having been nominated for a Swedish Grammy. Their album has been something of an underground word-of-mouth smash, with tracks also being heard on prime-time TV series Six Feet Under and Jaguar car commercials in the US. Erik, one half of Plej, as gone on to form new dance band The Similou.
Meanwhile, London-based producer The Rogue Element crafts energetic, breakbeat in a trademark tough dancefloor style. He successfully secured a spot as one of the greats in Breakbeat history by winning the award for “Best Breakthrough Producer” at this year's Breakspoll. The Rogue is in much demand on remix duties, have provided a number of re-workings for the likes of Freestylers, Stanton Warriors and Soul Of Man.
Other past successes include United Future Organization with their brand of trend setting electronica, infused with diverse influences from the frontiers of world music and jazz. Exceptional has also released two albums from the prolific Susumu Yokota. His collection of releases has regularly left critics reaching for the superlatives, showcasing fresh ideas and a timeless elegance.
Over the years many singles have been lifted from the albums and have been remixed by some of the best in the business. A list of stellar remixers includes Kyoto Jazz Massive, Akufen, Jimpster, Swell Session, Quantic, Moonstarr and many more. The single releases are usually aimed at the feet as well as the head to keep all the vinyl junkies out there happy.
[edit] Current and upcoming projects
Looking towards the future, the latest addition to the family is Welsh electronic wunderkind Culprit 1. His beat-fuelled symphonies incorporate elements of DJ Shadow, The Prodigy, and The Chemical Brothers. His releases for Exceptional come hot off the back of remix duties for new indie heroes The Automatic. His dancefloor mash-up featured on their Top 5 smash Monster, and The Culp provides another re-reading on upcoming single Recover. Also listen out for Superpumas killer combination of sinuous grooves and glittering electronic beats, and Radioplastic's smooth signature sound - blending together elements of house and quirky electro.
