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Extracts from The Guiness Who's Who Of Rap, Dance & Techno
(Published 1994)
PWL
Hardly the coolest record label on the dance scene, owned as it is by
the Stock Aitken & Waterman triad, PWL has nevertheless made a massive
contribution to the subculture by licensing mainstream successes (on PWL
Continental) from Europe, including DJ Proffessor, 2 Unlimited, Capella
and RAF, while PWL International has offered the world Toxic Two ('Rave
Generator'), Opus III ('It's A Fine Day'), Vision Masters ('Keep On
Pumpin' It') and Undercover ('Never Let Her Slip Away', 'Baker Street'
etc.). In addition there was a rave offshoot/promo label Black Diamond
which originally housed tunes like 'Rave Generator' and 2 Unlimited's
'Workaholic', until they crossed over. However, Black Diamond
disappeared in 1992 to be replaced by 380, headed by John Barratt, and
named after it's address at a converted church on Manchester's Deangate.
It's career began with Family Foundation's 'Xpress Yourself', then
Ultracynic's 'Nothing Is Forever'.
Eastern Bloc
Famed as the Noth of England's premier record shop, Eastern Bloc's
in-house Creed imprint launched 808 State, K-Klass, Ariel and Justin
Robertson, The latter and Mike E-Bloc (see E-Lustrious) worked together
on the counter before pursuing their own musical careers. Creed was
brought under the generic MOS label banner in 1991 (MOS standing for
More O' Same - to be prenounced in a thick Mancunian accent). Eastern
Bloc inaugurated its own brand label in 1993. Peter Waterman of SAW
fame) was the unlikely purchaser of the establishment when it ran into
financial difficulties. He then placed DJ and club owner Peter Taylor in
charge of the proceedings, with a brief to record strong, commercial
dance music. Taylor had formally worked with Waterman as part of the PWL
set-up, notably remixing Kylie Minogue's 'Keep It Pumping'. He also runs
the Angels club in Burnley, Lancashire. The label's first release was a
licensed track, 'Waterfall' by Atlantic Ocean, the second 'She' by Ideal
- Manchester DJs Jon Dasilva and A.G. Scott. However, it was the
'Loveland' saga which earned their biggest headlines. A band of that
title, affiliated to Eastern Bloc, released their version of Darlene
Lewis' 'Let The Music (Lift You Up)' without obtaining sample clearance.
A legal tussle ensued, until both parties agreed to release a joint
version, performing together on Top Of The Pops.
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