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artist · natacha atlas
release · manbai
year · 2000
genre · lo-fi
label · mantra recordings
catalogue · atlas 10t
website · www.mantrarecordings.com
date · 30-jul-2005
quality · alt-preset standard
source · vinyl
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a1 manbai (nitin sawhney remix) 7:43
b1 soliel d egypte 3:10
playtime · 00h 10m 53s
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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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