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Set up in 1995, by John Empson and Beggars Banquet
owner Martin Mills, Mantra Recordings exists
alongside affiliated labels XL Recordings, 4AD
and Beggars Banquet and initially set about filling
the musical gap between the guitar rock of Beggars
and the purist dance ethic of XL Recordings.
As boundaries between musical genres became blurred the label
established itself as having a 'no barriers' approach and
encouraged diversity - the ethic was to release quality records
- as simple as that - unrestricted by forcing a label identity
- or at least that's our official excuse.
Early signings included Natacha
Atlas ( then front woman with Transglobal Underground),
Asian agit hip-hoppers Fun'Da'mental, South African
rap outfit Prophets of Da City and Scottish (trip)
hoppers Coco & The Bean.
With a global sound already established the addition of legendary
reggae artist Bim Sherman was a natural - his collaboration
with Talvin Singh and Adrian Sherwood on the
acoustic album 'Miracle' is a highlight of the catalogue.
As Mantra started to become established globally the
roster was further strengthened by the addition of powerful
guitar acts Six
By Seven, Groop Dogdrill and China Drum
all three releasing two albums on the label - all supported
by heavy touring schedules and heavy drinking that took it's
toll on bands and label alike.
In a characteristic A&R u-turn the studio based act Muki
recorded two critically acclaimed post-club electronic albums
for the label and created an altogether calmer atmosphere
around Alma Road.
1999 saw two critical signings for Mantra in Gorkys
Zygotic Mynci and Saint
Etienne both established acts with strong individual
identities that fit perfectly into the Mantra mould.
The Mantra A&R department was so exhausted in the
Millenium year that they tried to not sign any more acts,
in an obvious attempt to do as little work as possible. The
plan was scupperred by an uncharacteristic injection of enthusiasm
from new man Michael Mclatchey who promptly stalked
Manchester's electronic genius King
Of Woolworths and managed to scare him into signing
to Mantra.
We may get out more in the future... |
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Three balmy nights in
the summer of 2001 at London's Scala
ostensibly to celebrate Mantra's 5th
birthday but really just an excuse to get all
our band's and all our mates together and drink
and jump around a bit. First night, 6th August,
featured live performances from Gorky's
Zygotic Mynci, South and The
Toe plus a DJ set from the Delgados.
This was followed on the 7th by sets from Natacha
Atlas, and Fundamental. And then
on the 8th by Six
By Seven, Parva,
Rock Of Travolta and DJ sets from Dot
Allison, Richard Fearless, Saint
Etienne and King
Of Woolworths. By which point we were
completely jaded and shaking like a leaf. With
nothing to show for it but a warm glow and these
photos. Perfect!
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