Certificate 18

Can any collectors confirm when they started using the silver certificate 18 generic sleeves? I know that they were by release 1815, as I bought one at the time, but were they using them by release 1807 or were they just using a white generic sleeve at that time?

So who is behind the new 2016 represses.... CERT1803 & CERT1807

Totally agree with Yettidog!
SD and Photek killed it on this label and people just didn't know / understand the impact of this music at the time. The shelf life of tracks was so short back then that they came and went. Looking back now though we were incredibly lucky to be in a club and hear the likes of Studio Pressure tunes being played out by the likes of Scottie and Kemistry etc. Treasured memories that will never happen again unfortunately....

I've got a little funny thing to say about this label. First, obviously it has very rich back catalogue with earlier works of Photek and Source Direct BUT why do sellers hoard the really nice stock silver sleeves many of Certificate 18 records came in? I've ordered a bunch that I know I use to own with those silver sleeves and sellers always ship them in paper promo inner sleeves or swapped out regular black or white sleeves. Damn it I want some of those silver Certificate 18 record sleeves!

well what can you say, this label originally in its day was releasing some of the best drum & bass & remixes that were totally smashed to death on the dance floor at many a rave. i had the pleasure & witnessed Bukem, Doc Scott & Fabio playing many of these tunes on the circuit and lets say that apart from general crowd gurning, an expression on many peoples faces were "bemused" - had no idea what was hitting them, but my god it was Drum & Bass of its highest quality. For me, the best laid tracks would be the Studio Pressure & Sounds Of Life contributions and these releases in themselves make this label a Winner IMO. To be fair, the original Jackets were nice, the vinyl was crisp and sound quality was excellent and this continued throughout all the releases.......

I am a little buyest as i like the Rupert Parkes / Photek & Source Direct sound from this era - pity Photek changed his style along the path, but i suppose music evolves and he moved with it.....sadly, i am one of those washed up D&B fans from yestayear who still can't get past 1999, but for me, that was when D&B was at its best and was a big part of my life attending and playing at these events......nowadays its all mutated & in most cases a repetitive noise but i am talking main stream.....the liquid stuff is winning hands down and don't think will ever tire.......

overall, a great label in its day with some awesome releases - my only criticism was the change of style the label took in 1999 IMO ruining the flow of some great D&B with some downtempo / breaks - something which if you are honest, will agree, most respectable d&b artists tried and swiftly moved away from........

if you are going to have a d&b label, keep it D&B - don't stray from that sound, cos if you have some quality releases of this labels early calibre, why ruin it?

IMHO the best 'intelligent dnb' label. Now semi-defunct but a great back cat. Check the polar stuff for some excellently crafted dnb, breaks & beats with an icy, detroit vibe.