Across nearly 30 years Black Market Records brought you the sounds of Adonis, The It and Larry Heard (to name but a few). When the sounds of Chicago, Detroit and New York were beginning to develop, Black Market was there. Now this trailblazing imprint is reissuing gems from its back catalogue. With your local record stores brimming with revivified House, Igloo Magazine catches up with pioneering label, and its head Rene Gelston, to learn something about music history, legendary characters and the sounds of today.
Igloo :: Black Market is nearly twenty five years old. Looking back, what have been the low and high points? How has House changed?
Rene / Black Market :: I started Black Market in 1984 so I guess we are nearly 29 now. I tend to remember only the high points and many come to mind but one everlasting memory is when you witness and become part of a new music movement.
So here’s a quick list:
1984 :: Wag club. Black Markets Friday night that founded rare groove in the London capitol with the DJs Barry Sharpe and Lascelles they have never got their true recognition they deserve for breaking this genre – Wall to wall sweat – packed inside-packed outside.. every record dropped took the roof off… The great thing about dance music is to be in a club and it goes off..it still makes the hair on my neck stand up.
1986—1987 :: My wife Vivien takes me to Paradise Garage to hear Larry Levan. I could write a whole chapter on this but all I can say is there will never be anywhere like that club at that point in time. I took Norman Jay there for the his first time and when Lolita Holloway hit the course of Love sensation he nearly fell on the floor.
Opening Black Market on w 20th st NYC every Friday and Saturday. Liz Torres, Cultural Vibe and Moonfoo all played there and DJ Maurice Watson R.I.P.
Deff Jam on Elisabeth St :: Leyor and Russell always made us welcome. They were special times to be in NYC, the birth of House and Hip Hop before the place was sanitised by mayor Giuliani.
1988 :: Opening the Black Market Record store in Soho London—the fuel to the fire for House music.
1989 :: Leaving a recording studio in Chicago at 7am after working with Adonis and Marshall Jefferson all night. It was a beautiful sunny morning and I had a master tape under my arm. Heaven.
Meeting Larry Heard and signing Gallimaufry Gallery; our friendship still continues today.
Sitting with Derrick May and Frankie Foncett on our first scouting mission for new music in Detroit. Derrick played us the demo of Strings of Life. It was very rough and sounded like it was played on a Casio. We passed on it.. derrr…
On returning to London I walked into the store and Stafford said Rene listen to this – it was French Kiss by Lil Louis – I called his manger Dwayne Powell whom I had a good relationship with as he also represented Larry Heard and Kim Myselle who I directed to RCA Records, Dwayne offered me the record for Europe for a small fee – but my bank manger was having none of it having already over spent on my scouting trip.
1990-—98 :: Working on the Mr Fingers LP Introduction and Larry Heard’s Alien LP. Managing Juan Atkins and releasing Underground Resistance, and CJ Lewis went triple platinum.
1999—2000 :: Phoebe One was awarded a MOBO for best female Hip Hop artist and working with Darren Jay on the Drum and Bass series Total Science.
2000—onwards :: Opened Black Market in Toronto, great place, greater people! Won promoters of the year on a number of occasions for electronic music. But the highlight of these events has to be (in no particular order) Jeff Mills at Boa, Morgan Geist, Derrick May, Larry Heard, Mike Huckaby, Tom Kwo at 99 Sudbury, Adam Beyer 99 Sudbury, Danny Krivit, Ghostly International (Ryan Elliot, Osborne, Adam Marshall, Skream and Dillinja).
As for low points the only regret I have is agreeing to licence the use of my brand name for a period of time. My advice is never do this as you can not control the direction or propaganda they put out and in the end they will lead your name / brand into the wrong direction.
Igloo :: The label went into hiatus in 2008, how does it feel to back at the coal front?
Rene :: I can’t really say that I’m fully back running a label again as I am just releasing re-issues at the moment although we did release 25 Years from Alpha by Larry Heard / Airpistol by Osborne and Mr White Aeroplane.
Igloo :: What direction would you say Black Market is now heading in? Any plans for releasing some new material?
Rene :: I’m excited to be back in the UK and putting Black Market back where it should be with new artists / music and new products—all coming soon but first up will be our digital platform in July.
Igloo :: There has been an undeniable resurgence in house music over the past few years. How do you feel about this second wave of Chitown?
Rene :: I don’t think house will ever go away it will just mutate and change to suit its skin. Yes there’s some interesting stuff coming out of Chicago again. Will it change the face of dance like last time? Let’s see.
Igloo :: Despite the gloom and doom of the Western economies, new labels are still spouting up. What advice have you got for these fledgling imprints?
Rene :: If you believe in the music your releasing then just stick with it. It takes time to build up a catalogue and reputation but it’s worth it in the end. Look at Planet Mu—the label is good because it believes in its principles of releasing new music.
Igloo :: What artists are you feeling excited about at the moment? Is there any particular sound that you’re really enjoying?
Rene :: I like everything—new and old across the board. Good records just jump out no matter what the genre or label.
Igloo :: Finally, what were the last five records you bought?
Rene :: Some disco classics I was missing but basically my wife buys the music and I just enjoy it. It’s on all the time at home.
For more information about Black Market, visit www.blackmarket.co.uk.
