Cr2 Records...The Story So Far
Cr2 records was set up in July 2004 by former Credence head honcho & one half of MYNC Project Mark Brown.
In its first year Cr2 managed to muscle its way to the top of the hugely competitive house music market by releasing consistently high quality house music. With releases from the likes of Eric Prydz & Steve Angello, 100% & Danny Howells all going into the UK top 40 singles chart, its easy to see why Cr2 has forged a reputation as being one of the best independent house labels in the world, and one of the only labels with the ability to challenge the majors!
Other outstanding releases on the label in 2004/05 came from the likes of Skylark Thats More Like It, Anthony Acid Sweat, Lee Cabrera Voodoo Love, Steve Mac & Steve Smith Loving You More, Exhibit A G Minor, Spencer Parker Open Your Eyes & Bush II Bush The Piano Track. All were massive in clubland, with the label receiving support from virtually every dj under sun, from Sasha, Pete Tong, Nick Fanciulli, Sander Kleinenberg, John Digweed, Roger Sanchez, Tom Stephan, Paul Woolford, Hernan Cattaneo, Tom Middleton, Erick Morillo, Steve Lawler, Satoshi Tommiie, X-Press 2 & many more!
Cr2 further cemented their place as a force to be reckoned with when they launched their own compilation brand United Nations Of House to critical acclaim. The compilation had a unique concept whereby tracks from well known artists from around the world such as Danny Howells, Skylark, Tiefschwarz & Sander Klienenberg, sit along side tracks from virtual unknowns from all corners of the globe. 17 countries were represented, including Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Albania, as well as more established countries on the house music map like UK, Holland, Gemany, USA, Italy and many more. After the success of Volume 1, Volume 2 is already in production and is set to be released in spring 2007!
2006 proved to be an amazingly successful time for Cr2. In January Cr2 launched sub label Cr2 Trax to cater for the more underground electronic sound that was blossoming within the scene. Cr2 also released The Egg Walking Away in January and that proved to be one of the biggest tracks of 2006, fusing electronic hooks with indie guitars! Further awesome releases came from Superbass, Ran Shani, ATFC, & Danny Freakazoid whose debut album we released to a great response in October '06.
Other successful releases on the label in 2006 included Eddie Thoneick & Kurd Maverick Love Sensation 2006 (Essential New Tune), Alse Golden Sun (number 1 in buzz chart), Onionz Burnin, & Kurd Maverick The Rub (Essential New Tune) plus the massive Fedde Le Grand Put Your Hands Up For Detroit (Essential New Tune) that was signed to Ministry Of Sounds Data Records and reached Number 1 in the UK National Top 40 in November after being one of the biggest tunes in Ibiza that summer.
In January 2007 Cr2 launched sub label Cr2 Digital to cater for the more underground electronic sound that was blossoming within the scene. The string of big tune releases did not stop either, with big hits coming from Hook N Sling 'The Bump', and no less than 3 records in Pete Tong's Essential Selection Show including Kurd Maverick 'Let's Work' and The Essential New Tune for Arno Cost & Arias 'Magenta'.
Looking to spread their sound as global as possible, Cr2 held their first Miami WMC Party at the exclusive Mokai Club in March, and also began the first of several club dates at Ministry of Sound in London. With this side of the business now beginning to evolve and blossom, Cr2 Live & Direct was born!
Live & Direct was chosen as the brand name to accompany all our club nights and events, and to complement this a new CD compilation was started - 'Cr2 Live & Direct Presents'. The concept being to bring together some of the finest artists together on one CD, both showcasing their own styles and sound as a DJ and also coming together to produce an exclusive track for the album which will be featured on the bonus 3rd Unmixed Disc. The series kicked off with Dirty South & Kurd Maverick which was released in August 2007, and was followed by one of America's favourite but perhaps slightly lesser know heroes - Oscar G, Live from Space Miami - one of the greatest Nightclubs in the World.
The Summer was of course filled with more hits - the highlights being Fedde Le Grand v Funkerman 'Wheels In Motion', Spektrum 'Kinda New', Eddie Thoneick Feat. Berget Lewis 'Deeper Love', Federico Franchi 'Cream' and DJ Jeroenski 'Back Once Again'.
Cr2 also welcomed the signing of the MURK Records catalogue (Miami's Oscar G & Ralph Falcon), with the first release being the mighty 'Reach For Me'. It is without question down to the A&R vision and drive that Cr2 has forged itself into such a highly respected place in the market - and early to recognize the shift occurring within the musical scene away from the 'Electro' sound and towards a more stripped down techy sound, Cr2 were quick to pick up on two of the hottest tracks around (and anthems of Ibiza?s coolest Minimal hotspot, DC10) 'Sudoko Kid' by Ito & Star, and 'Alcoolic' by Popof.
So, 2008 and what better way than to start the year with a Number 11 UK hit! That's right, Mark Brown narrowly missed out on the Top 10 with his debut solo single - 'The Journey Continues', which featured a sample from the hugely popular TV Advertising campaign run by Lloyds TSB throughout 2007, and also featured the vocal talents of Saint Etienne singer - Sarah Cracknell. The success of the record again highlighting that Cr2 have the ability to deliver crossover hits into the mainstream as well as keeping their credibility amongst the most cutting edge clubs across the World.
The Live & Direct brand also continued to build nicely, with events in Spain, USA, Colombia, UK and the release of Cr2's first Miami CD Compilation. With several new and exciting Live & Direct compilations, and the Kings of The Underground Series also unleashed fans can rest assured that there will be no shortage of great new music coming their way in 2008! Look out for Live & Direct events in your area, and throughout the Summer Cr2 will be putting on events in Ibiza.
The launch of the brand new Cr2 website early in the year was another highlight, and the online shop selling vinyl, CD?s and MP3 downloads meant that fans of Cr2 all over the World now had a place where they could find out and purchase everything to do with Cr2!
With a growing team and a growing release schedule keep your eyes firmly fixed for more quality house music ahead!
Look out for Danny Rampling's LIVE & DIRECT Two Decades of House Compilation (Out 25th August 2008) and Delicious and Abigail Bailey's LIVE & DIRECT Compilation (Out October 2008).
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