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Welcome to Brownswood Recordings, the London-based indie label from globe trotting purveyor of all sounds soulful and inspired, Gilles Peterson. We opened our doors in 2006 with the simple aim of releasing good new music, music with soul – no matter where it’s from or what the style.

And what a journey it’s been since then. Gilles is still flying around, dropping unexpected dancefloor gems on party people around the world. And his Worldwide show on BBC Radio 1 is still a weekly staple for music heads tuning in for anything from vintage folk to dubstep. Meanwhile Brownswood has released a stream of new music.

A series of brilliant snapshots in sound is one way to give a flavour: Gilles chancing upon the beauty of Elan Mehler’s piano composition in the foyer of an elegant Swiss hotel; Gilles first hearing a Ben Westbeech demo - Bristol beat-head with the voice of an angel and an ear for a heart-catching tune – on his car stereo outside a club at 4am. And pretty promptly signing him. Our satisfaction at getting all 44 members of The Heritage Orchestra on to the stage, and no one falling off, at the Cargo album launch. Dancing round the office when the Osunlade mixes of Ben Westbeech’s So Good Today first came in. Watching the Japanese crazers SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS take their first Glastonbury in their stride and draw a huge crowd to the Jazz Stage for a Death Jazz in the mud extravaganza. To be honest, seeing SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS play anything, anywhere has been unforgettable. The whole Brownswood Family decamping to Sête in the South of France for the Worldwide Festival each summer: Watching José James deliver his version of Coltrane’s Equinox with the glittering sea behind, as the sun sets over the open air ampitheatre. Picking out the freshest of new tunes with which to bless the Bubblers compilation series. Crossing Europe with our 2007 Brownswood Loves Jazz tour. Starting up a regular montly Brownswood night at Nublu in New York City.

It’s all go. It’s all been great fun, and there’s more to come!

2008 has so far brought the eagerly anticipated debut album from New York jazz vocalist José James. It’s the culmination of two years work with José and we’re more than excited. In fact we’d humbly suggest, it’s not overstating it to say he’s a singular voice and the record he’s delivered is nothing short of a masterpiece. He played a magical (sold out!) show with Eska at the Roundhouse in early August and you should definitely keep an eye out for more UK live dates. The summer of 2008 also saw the whole Brownswood crew heading down to the 3rd edition of the Worldwide Festival in Sête, where we got our groove on and enjoyed some brilliant music and live sets from the likes of Breakestra, The Cinematic Orchestra, Pascal Comelade, Laurent Garnier, Toshio Matsuura, Ben Westbeech, Roots Manuva and Henrik Schwarz (just to name a few). While back in London, we got blown away at the Death Jazz night by the energetic performances by SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS, Neil Cowley Trio and the Mighty Jeddo.

We’ve also been busy gathering the latest in freshness for the third installment of the Brownswood Bubblers compilation (that now has been released), and generally beavering away to continue to bring you some damn fine music. So keep listening and dont forget to check out our blog for juicy gossip, crazy ramblings, music news and random other stuff that we are into!

Brownswood Blog
Brownswood on YouTube
Brownswood on Flickr

Soil & "PIMP" Sessions live at KoKo, 9th July 2009.

Elan Mehler live in the UK, 12th & 14th July 2009.

The brand new album from Elan Mehler drops on 23rd March! Elan is an exceptionally talented jazz pianist/composer from Brooklyn. Gilles described his last record 'Scheme For Thought' as: "an introspective beauty" whilst Time Out hailed it as "a work of mellow magnifience." 'The After Suite' is an equally impressive body of work. Don't sleep!