Leeds based record label Baker Street Recordings (DISTRIBUTED THROUGH PRIME DIRECT) have earned their reputation as one of the most exciting House music labels to emerge from the UK in recent years, thanks to a hard work ethic and consistently quality music. Producers at the forefront of the underground house scene have featured on Baker Street releases; names such as Moodymanc, Sei A, Sasse, Lee Mortimer, Demarkus Lewis, Lil’ Mark and Justin Harris of Freaks, alongside up and coming characters such as Bang Bang, Tom Davis, Martijn, Neil Bainbridge and label owners Paul Hardy and Jacob, who are also collectively known as Holmes & Watz.
Formed in late 2006 by Paul Hardy and Jacob Kelly, Baker Street stay true to their hometown’s house pedigree and follow in the footsteps of the city’s musical standard bearers 2020 Vision and Back To Basics. And as good solid northern lads Jacob and Paul don’t have any grandiose claims or disillusions, “our sound is not one of the future, just of good House music.”
Both Paul and Jacob have released a string of EPs for their label as solo artists and together as the aforementioned Holmes & Watz, which explains their label name and defines their roles within the label; Paul handles all the admin, content, financials and A&R (‘the brains’ – Doctor Watson) while Jacob is responsible for promotions, events and also A&R (‘the brawn’ – Sherlock Holmes). Paul also works for Ralph Lawson’s 2020 Recordings/ dotbleep and credits much of the Baker Street success to learning from Ralph. As such his music has graced both labels, along with Lost My Dog, 22 Digit and Undertones. Aside from Baker Street, Jacob’s music can be found on labels such as Music For Freaks, 3am and PE Music, while Holmes & Watz productions have also appeared on Minority Music and Paranoid.
The music from Baker Street is consistently well received across a wide spectrum of A-list DJs from big room jocks such as Timo Maas and Axwell to worldwide deep/tech stars including Fred Everything, Mark Farina, Brothers Deep and Fish Go Deep. In particular, Nick Holder has repeatedly shown his support, stating “fantastic again, Baker Street is rollin’”, Mr White from Larry Heard’s legendary Alleviated Records looks out for everything, “another great release yet again from Baker Street” and Luke McKeehan, owner of Nordic Trax and one of the most respected label-heads in the business, is a huge fan, “Baker Street are killing it, wicked wicked stuff again.”
Further support has poured in from leading magazines such as iDJ, DeBug and DMC Update who all heap glowing reviews on Baker Street, while respected online outlets Our House Mag, Inhale and Traffic have featured the label and it’s owners in-depth. And aside from releasing some of the best house music money can buy, Baker Street are known for their legendary parties, the highlight of which is their annual February soiree. The 2009 instalment saw a mouthwatering line-up of Derrick Carter, Moodymanc, Lil Mark, Buckley and Solo take over an old Warehouse in Leeds. In Jacob and Paul’s own words “IT WENT NUTS! Derrick was on form and the vibe there was electric.”
As Sherlock Holmes would have no doubt have said to his sidekick, “Baker Street Recordings are mighty spiffing, it’s elementary my dear Watson”
Website: www.bakerstreetrecordings.com / www.myspace.com/bakerstreetrecordings