Labels to Watch in 2014

If we want to let producers be producers, we need to have proper labels to support them. And while we know that the big labels in EDM are out there pu

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If we want to let producers be producers, we need to have proper labels to support them. And while we know that the big labels in EDM are out there putting on for their respective sounds on a regular basis, there are plenty of imprints that are keeping things just as consistent, but many might be casting to the side. We love looking at the progression of individual artists or acts, but the maturation of the labels that release their music is just as exciting. Take a look at these ten imprints; imprints who proved to us that they were capable of pushing boundaries. Imprints that have the ability to make a real splash in their lanes in 2014. Here are the labels you need to keep a close eye on in 2014.

Main Course

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Astronomar, Bot, and Neoteric set up an imprint that has their fingers on the pulse. In an era where everyone is trying to cash in on the EDM scene, these three allow fans the option of purchasing their releases, or downloading them for free... to the point where they offered up an almost 600MB .zip as a holiday gift. Their concern is quality beats that will mash up clubs, and their consistent release schedule highlights that dedication.

Enchufada

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While based in Lisbon, Enchufada represents the global dance music community, sticking with a constant search for "new music from weird places!" Buraka Som Sistema's home mirrors their fascination with delectable beats from intriguing locales, so if you're a fan of zouk, kuduro, and other worldly sounds being infused with waist-winding bass, this is the imprint you need to peep.

Black Butter Records

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Black Butter has a solid roster of artists that they helped bring to the forefront: Gorgon City, Woz, Joel Compass, Rudimental, and others. They have provided expertly picked house music that is good for the soul... and for the feet. During the great bass-driven house craze of the last few years, Black Butter has been heads above the rest in bringing the freshest tracks to the forefront, without compromise.

Ingredients

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When looking at the future of drum & bass, many point to acts like Dub Phizix and Skeptical, two acts that got their first releases out on Ingredients. Over the last four years, the imprint has also released material from dRamatic & dbAudio, Jubei, Geotype, and Anile, playing a proper balancing act between exposing quality talent and being a haven for established acts to put out forward-thinking material. If they keep up their consistency, they will climb higher in the rankings of dnb imprints you need to keep an eye on.

Terrorhythm

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Plastician's imprint is over a decade old, but in 2013 he saw a renewed outlook on the label, and has a grip of new blood putting out awesome bass music, including Awe, DS1, Curl Up, Ganz, and more. We recently spoke with him, and he seems to have a renewed spirit on where he's bringing the imprint, so now's the time to keep it locked on their movements.

Symbols Recordings

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Kastle's Symbols imprint had a phenomenal 2013, just between Kastle's self-titled album and Lindsay Lowend's Wind Fish EP alone. With a vision on forward-thinking electronic beats, Kastle's singing immaculate tunes from Sweater Beats, Chromatic, Rain City Riot, and others. If you're up for some shit that's a bit deeper but will still keep you grooving, you need Symbols.

Future Classic

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This Australian imprint has done a lot - if it wasn't for Future Classic, the world probably wouldn't know of the goodness that is Flume. Or Hayden James. Or a number of other acts that they've either spotlighted with free releases or signed, like Wave Racer. The signing of Wave Racer is key; with how they've put on for Flume, we have a feeling that Wave Racer could be on the same path. They won't drop the BIGGEST releases of 2014, but they will keep it consistent with their tastemaking.

Fade to Mind

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Fade to Mind dropped some enticing releases in 2013, from the critically-acclaimed Cut 4 Me from Kelela to Kingdom's Vertical XL. They also have Nguzunguzu, Rizzla, MORRI$, and others on their current roster. If you shy away from mainstream dance music and want something truly progressive, Fade to Mind is where it's at.

SATURATE! Records

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SATURATE! is a label out of Hamburg, Germany that doesn't mess about. Pixelord, heRobust, Krampfhaft, Ganz, Doshy, and others have all given SATURATE! the best of what they've got over the years, helping establish this brand as one that's helping mold bass music outside of the typical, club-ready raucous sounds that you are normally bombarded with. Labels like SATURATE! give us hope in a time of, well, oversaturation.

French Express

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Isaac Tichauer, Moon Boots, and Perseus call French Express home, and as "protectors of the feel good," the Express doesn't look for demos - they just find the feels, and expose them. What we end up getting are tracks that you feel in the pit of your stomach. Warm like a shot of expensive liquor, with the same intoxicating effects, French Express will continue to quietly change the way many approach dance music in the States.

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