Relaunching digitally in Sept with fresh remixes of the back catalogue, here is a chance to relive the music in a different light, a new Classic era is about to dawn…
The Classic Music Company was started by Derrick Carter and Luke Solomon in 1994 and became the chief of quality house music output for the latter half of the decade.
The name evolved from a car journey during a tour of the UK. Whilst on the M1, Derrick and Luke drove past a sign advertising Cadbury’s Classic bars. They both looked at the sign and unanimously cried, “Are you hungry?” After a couple of sandwiches and naturally, a couple of chocolate bars at the next services the event stayed in their mind, and whilst struggling to come up with a name they both recalled the incidence. ‘Classic’ was born.
Their ego’s were chastised for a while after by close friends who thought that calling the label ‘Classic’ meant they had to live up to a lot. Fortunately the label wrote dance music history and although it was sadly stopped short much of its produce maintains a healthy spot in countless record boxes to this day.
The original idea was to put out a load of records made by them and their mates, start the catalogue numbers at 100 and work their way backwards until they reached zero. Cash in and buy a small island in the West Indies - the perfect plan. Unfortunately this didn’t happen.
Due to an ever changing musical business model, Classic was one of the first to get caught up it is beginnings. The advent of the digital generation, the damning of dance music by journalists (who in turn ended up shooting themselves in both feet) and the closure of their distribution company meant Derrick, Luke and close friend and co-owner of sister label, Music for Freaks, Justin Harris, were forced to put their hands in their pockets.
A few bob, a pop record and well earned rest later, Luke, Justin and Derrick have been able to take stock and watch the new industry evolve around them.
Now for the next chapter..
Classic is reborn, introducing a string of new releases, culminating in the back catalogue reworked and remixed by the new generation of electronic producers.
The onslaught will begin from September and will be kicked off by a wondrous remix of Rob Mello ‘Critical’, by man of the moment, Fabrice Lig. There will also be mixes of the much sought after single Freaks made with Robert Owens a few years back, some Derrick Carter mixes of ‘Stucco Homes’ and ‘Third Face’ and the superb after punk funk record by LDOE, featuring mixes from Luke Solomon. Not forgetting a remix of Isolee ‘Brazil.com’ by Henrik Schwarz. The list goes on..
Classic will also be hosting a series of parties to celebrate the regeneration along with label owners Derrick Carter, Luke Solomon and Justin Harris plus lots of special guests.
Forthcoming:
Commencing on Oct 13th with Rob Mello - Critical (Fabrice Lig remixes)
Chicago Dancefloor Voodoo - Transfusion (Edited by Derrick Carter)
Mike Dixon - House of Mouths (Brian Heath’s Guaranteed Analysis)
LDOE - Crimes (Luke Solomon remixes)
Freaks - Right Now (Reworked)
Brett Johnson and Dave Barker - Stucco Homes (remixes from James Curd, Luke Solomon & D)
Robbie Hardkiss - Everything is Changing (Justin Harris Re-doob)
“D’s New 3rd Fac3 Dub” (Rmx + More by Derrick Carter)
10.10.08 - Space reunion at East Village
Kenny Hawkes & Luke Solomon
