Basement Records

Basement Records

Profile:
The Basement label was started up in 1990 and was run from the Record Basement shop in Reading. The label was run by Phil Wells (aka Basement Phil).

The main artists on the label included Jack Smooth, Basement Phil, Wax Doctor, Kev Bird, DJ Mayhem, Top Buzz, Alex Reece, Donovan Bad Boy Smith, Alex Hazzard, Spencer T, Loftgroover, Roger Johnson, Sentinel aka Photek, Intensity aka Source Direct, Peshay, Inner Visions aka J Majik, Subject 13, Architex & Dune.

One of the things that set Basement apart from the rest was the distinctive sound of the early releases 3 - 35, courtesy of Jack Smooth's engineering and co-production. 'Jungle Techno' is a phrase drawn from the label, with the phrase credited to Mikee B (one third of Top Buzz) who once famously commented that a Basement Records tune he was listening too, had sounds that were actually similar to those in a jungle, mixed with Detroit influenced soundscapes.

The label was a big favourite with most DJ's throughout the Rave Years and DJs such as Top Buzz, Grooverider, Mickey Finn, Ratty, Tango, Swan-e, Phantasy, Kenny Ken, DJ SS, Seduction, Slipmatt, Loftgroover, Colin Dale, Colin Faver, Frankie Valentine, Stu Allan, Mark XTC and Keith Suckling were often heard playing several Basement releases in every set.

When the label switched to DnB it was championed by LTJ Bukem, Fabio & Grooverider, Doc Scott & Peshay.

Labels affiliated with legendary in house producer Jack Smooth were Sound Entity and Smooth Recordings and he had a behind the scenes influence on labels such as Legend Records, Symphony Sound and Sinister Recordings and many more including the Rave Anthem 'Trip to Trumpton'.

After the peak of the Rave Scene in 1993 the Basement label was one of the first to shift to releasing the more experimental side of Jungle, the genre now known as 'Drum N Bass' throughout the mid 90's before closing down in 1997.

The label was relaunched in 2000 and since then there have been a few releases and a Basement Classics series of reissued Rave and DnB tunes.
Sublabels
Contact Info:
Tel: 01305 833456
Email: [email protected]
Sites:

Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
B247CD003-2 Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime vs. Force & Styles - Battle Of The DJ's Match 2 Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime vs. Force & Styles Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime vs. Force & Styles - Battle Of The DJ's Match 2(2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Beats 24-7 B247CD003-2 UK 2004 Sell This Version
BRSS 001 Basement Phil - Take Me Up Basement Phil Take Me Up BRSS 001 UK 1991 Sell This Version
BRSS 002 Basement Phil - Bachbeat / I Love You Basement Phil Bachbeat / I Love You BRSS 002 UK 1991 Sell This Version
BRSS 003 Kev Bird - Inside Your Mind EP Kev Bird Inside Your Mind EP (EP) BRSS 003 UK 1991 Sell This Version
BRSS 004 Techno Bros.* - The Ugly Side Of Pop Techno Bros.* The Ugly Side Of Pop BRSS 004 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 005 Hedgehog Affair - Rush Till Dawn Presents Hedgehog Affair Pt. 2 Hedgehog Affair Rush Till Dawn Presents Hedgehog Affair Pt. 2 BRSS 005 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 006 Kev Bird & The Wax Doctor - The Visit To 14B E.P. Kev Bird & The Wax Doctor The Visit To 14B E.P. (EP) BRSS 006 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 007 Smooth But Hazzardous - Violent Headrush EP Smooth But Hazzardous Violent Headrush EP (EP) BRSS 007 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 007DJ Smooth But Hazzardous - Violent Headrush EP Smooth But Hazzardous Violent Headrush EP(12", EP, Ltd, Promo) Basement Records, Basement Records BRSS 007DJ UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 008 DJ Mayhem - Damage DJ Mayhem Damage BRSS 008 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 008DJ DJ Mayhem - Damage EP DJ Mayhem Damage EP(12", EP, Ltd, Promo) Basement Records BRSS 008DJ UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 009 Basement Phil & The Engineers - We Can Rock It E.P. Basement Phil & The Engineers Basement Phil & The Engineers - We Can Rock It E.P. (EP) BRSS 009 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 010 Hedgehog Affair - Rush Till Dawn Presents Hedgehog Affair Pt. 3 Hedgehog Affair Rush Till Dawn Presents Hedgehog Affair Pt. 3 (EP) BRSS 010 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 0011 Wax Doctor - A New Direction E.P. Wax Doctor A New Direction E.P. (EP) BRSS 0011 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 012 Kev Bird - This Is A Trip Kev Bird This Is A Trip (EP) BRSS 012 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 013 Top Buzz - Livin' In Darkness / Viola's Delight Top Buzz Livin' In Darkness / Viola's Delight BRSS 013 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 014 Techno Bros - We Are...... Techno Bros Techno Bros We Are...... Techno Bros BRSS 014 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 015 Jack 'N Phil* - Punishment / A Trip To Knowledge Jack 'N Phil* Punishment / A Trip To Knowledge (EP) BRSS 015 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 016 DJ Mayhem - Storm Trooper / Cold Acid DJ Mayhem Storm Trooper / Cold Acid BRSS 016 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 016 Techno Bros - We Are Techno Bros Techno Bros We Are Techno Bros(Acetate, 12") Basement Records BRSS 016 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 017 Chemical - Hex / Sub Sector Chemical Hex / Sub Sector BRSS 017 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BRSS 018 Wax Doctor - Another Direction / The Stalker Wax Doctor Another Direction / The Stalker BRSS 018 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 019 Top Buzz - Livin' In Darkness (Remixes) Top Buzz Livin' In Darkness (Remixes) BRSS 019 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 020 Two Dark Troopers - I Wanna Be Your Lover / Darkcore Two Dark Troopers I Wanna Be Your Lover / Darkcore BRSS 020 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 021 Kev Bird And The Wax Doctor* - Pt. 1 Kev Bird And The Wax Doctor* Pt. 1 BRSS 021 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 022 Kev Bird And The Wax Doctor* - Pt. 2 Kev Bird And The Wax Doctor* Pt. 2 BRSS 022 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 023 Ruff With The Smooth - Art Of Intelligence / Sounds Superior Ruff With The Smooth Art Of Intelligence / Sounds Superior BRSS 023 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 024 Mayhem* - Fierce / M-Power Mayhem* Fierce / M-Power BRSS 024 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 025 Electronic Experienced - V-10 Overload / No. 303 Electronic Experienced V-10 Overload / No. 303 BRSS 025 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 026 Top Buzz - Livin' In A Dream / The Wok Top Buzz Livin' In A Dream / The Wok BRSS 026 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 027 Wax Doctor & Jack Smooth - New Direction (93 Remix) / What's Goin' On Wax Doctor & Jack Smooth Wax Doctor & Jack Smooth - New Direction (93 Remix) / What's Goin' On BRSS 027 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 028 Jack N Phil - Tek Trak / We Are Unity Jack N Phil Tek Trak / We Are Unity BRSS 028 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 028 2 Jack n Phil - Unity Remixes Jack n Phil Unity Remixes(12", TP, W/Lbl) Basement Records BRSS 028 2 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 028R Jack N Phil Featuring Wendy - We Are Unity (Remixes) Jack N Phil Featuring Wendy Jack N Phil Featuring Wendy - We Are Unity (Remixes) BRSS 028R UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 029 DJ Mayhem - U.L.F. / Parametrix DJ Mayhem U.L.F. / Parametrix BRSS 029 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 030 Wax Doctor & Jack Smooth - Unfriendly / Rock To The Groove Wax Doctor & Jack Smooth Wax Doctor & Jack Smooth - Unfriendly / Rock To The Groove BRSS 030 UK 1993 Sell This Version
BRSS 031 Kev Bird - Kano / Sub Zero Kev Bird Kano / Sub Zero BRSS 031 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 032 Electronic Experienced - I.Q. / More I.Q. Electronic Experienced I.Q. / More I.Q. BRSS 032 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 033 Mad Dogs* - The Jack & Phil Remixes Mad Dogs* The Jack & Phil Remixes BRSS 033 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 034 Scott-Free - My First Adventure / Street Fighting Scott-Free My First Adventure / Street Fighting BRSS 034 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 035 Jack 'N' Phil* - Volume 3 Jack 'N' Phil* Volume 3 BRSS 035 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 036 Roger Johnson - One On One / The Drum 'N' The Bass Roger Johnson One On One / The Drum 'N' The Bass BRSS 036 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 037 Ruff With The Smooth - Twisted Girl / Who's Loving Me Ruff With The Smooth Twisted Girl / Who's Loving Me BRSS 037 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 038 Blinded By Science - Scanners / Afterlife Blinded By Science Scanners / Afterlife BRSS 038 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 039 Safari Sounds - On My Mind / The Change Safari Sounds On My Mind / The Change BRSS 039 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 040 The Sentinel - Heavy Vibes / Pulse Of Life The Sentinel Heavy Vibes / Pulse Of Life BRSS 040 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS 041 Basement Phil - Flying (Remixes) Basement Phil Flying (Remixes) BRSS 041 UK 1994 Sell This Version
BRSS42 Peshay - Futurama / Endless Thoughts Peshay Futurama / Endless Thoughts BRSS42 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS42 Temptation Project* - Planetary Feelings Temptation Project* Planetary Feelings(12", TP, W/Lbl) Basement Records, Homegrown Records BRSS42 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS43 Jack 'N' Phil* - I Like It / Listen Jack 'N' Phil* I Like It / Listen BRSS43 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS44 Jack 'N' Phil* - I Like It (Remixes) Jack 'N' Phil* I Like It (Remixes) BRSS44 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS45 Donovan Bad Boy Smith - Universal / The Water Donovan Bad Boy Smith Universal / The Water BRSS45 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS 045, BRSS 45 Donovan Bad Boy Smith - Universal / The Water Donovan Bad Boy Smith Universal / The Water(12", Promo) Basement Records BRSS 045, BRSS 45 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS46 The Rood Project - Thunder (RJ Remixes) The Rood Project Thunder (RJ Remixes) BRSS46 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS47 Roger Johnson - Walk Of Life / The Drifter Roger Johnson Walk Of Life / The Drifter BRSS47 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS48 X-Files (2) - Intensity / Forbidden Medicine X-Files (2) Intensity / Forbidden Medicine (Single) BRSS48 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS49 The Sentinel - Awakening / Genesis The Sentinel Awakening / Genesis BRSS49 UK 1995 Sell This Version
BRSS50 The Architex - The 50th - Blueprint / Steps The Architex The 50th - Blueprint / Steps BRSS50 UK 1996 Sell This Version
BRSS51 The Architex - Blueprint (Remixes) The Architex Blueprint (Remixes) BRSS51 UK 1996 Sell This Version
BRSS52 Inner Visions* - Southern Comfort / Hidden Menace Inner Visions* Southern Comfort / Hidden Menace BRSS52 UK 1996 Sell This Version
BRSS53 Subject 13 - Spirit Breakdown / Can't Wait Tonight Subject 13 Spirit Breakdown / Can't Wait Tonight BRSS53 UK 1996 Sell This Version
BRSS54 Justice - Pseudo Jazz EP Justice Pseudo Jazz EP (EP) BRSS54 UK 1996 Sell This Version
BRSS55 Intensity (2) - The X-Files Volume 2 Intensity (2) The X-Files Volume 2 BRSS55 UK 1996 Sell This Version
BRSS56 Sentinel* - Dig Deeper / Toulépleu Sentinel* Dig Deeper / Toulépleu BRSS56 UK 1996 Sell This Version
BRSS57 The Architex - The Continuation The Architex The Continuation BRSS57 UK 1996 Sell This Version
BRSS58 Mystic Moods - A Sense Of Summer Mystic Moods A Sense Of Summer BRSS58 UK 1996 Sell This Version
BRSS59 Justice - Pseudo Jazz EP II Justice Pseudo Jazz EP II (EP) BRSS59 UK 1997 Sell This Version
BRSS60 Dune - The Blade / Imported Dune The Blade / Imported BRSS60 UK 1997 Sell This Version
BRSS61 The Architex Feat. Slade (2) - Altitude / The Bridge The Architex Feat. Slade (2) The Architex Feat. Slade (2) - Altitude / The Bridge BRSS61 UK 1997 Sell This Version
BRSS62 Dune - Pentagon City / Keep On Dune Pentagon City / Keep On BRSS62 UK 1997 Sell This Version
BRSS063 Basement Phil - Past Present And Future EP1 Basement Phil Past Present And Future EP1 (EP) BRSS063 UK 2015 Sell This Version
BRSS064 Basement Phil - Past Present And Future EP2 Basement Phil Past Present And Future EP2 (EP) BRSS064 UK 2015 Sell This Version
BRSS065 Mystic Moods / Brothers With Soul - Past Present And Future EP3 Mystic Moods / Brothers With Soul Mystic Moods / Brothers With Soul - Past Present And Future EP3 (EP) BRSS065 UK 2015 Sell This Version
BRSS 066 Tango & Ratty - Train Track 2002 / Tonic Tango & Ratty Train Track 2002 / Tonic BRSS 066 UK 2002 Sell This Version
BRSS067 R.A.G.E.* - Focus / Timecode R.A.G.E.* Focus / Timecode BRSS067 UK 2002 Sell This Version
BRSS068 Top Buzz - Living In Darkness (2004 Remixes) Top Buzz Living In Darkness (2004 Remixes) BRSS068 UK 2004 Sell This Version
BRSS069 Jack Smooth - Plight Of The Innovators Jack Smooth Plight Of The Innovators BRSS069 UK 2006 Sell This Version
BRSS 070 Vital Elements - Bad Boy Tune / Flipside Vital Elements Bad Boy Tune / Flipside BRSS 070 UK 2006 Sell This Version
BRSS071 Architex* - Altitude Architex* Altitude BRSS071 UK 2007 Sell This Version
BRSS072 Jack n Phil / Basement Phil Featuring Shadow Cartel - Past Present And Future EP5 Jack n Phil / Basement Phil Featuring Shadow Cartel Jack n Phil / Basement Phil Featuring Shadow Cartel - Past Present And Future EP5 (EP) BRSS072 UK 2015 Sell This Version
BRSS073 Shadow Cartel - Back To The Headz Part 1 / Part 2 Shadow Cartel Back To The Headz Part 1 / Part 2 BRSS073 UK 2016 Sell This Version
BRSS074 Shadow Cartel - Spirit Of Africa / Spirit Of The Shadow / No, No, No / Ghost Shadow Cartel Spirit Of Africa / Spirit Of The Shadow / No, No, No / Ghost BRSS074 UK 2016 Sell This Version
BRSS075 Shadow Cartel - Everybody In The Place / For The Night / Higher Remix / Stagger Shadow Cartel Everybody In The Place / For The Night / Higher Remix / Stagger (Single) BRSS075 UK 2016 Sell This Version
BRSS076 Shadow Cartel - Feed Me Bass / Back With Ur Love Shadow Cartel Feed Me Bass / Back With Ur Love BRSS076 UK 2016 Sell This Version
BRSS077 Mystic Moods - A Jazzier Groove EP Volume 3 Mystic Moods A Jazzier Groove EP Volume 3 (EP) BRSS077 UK 2016 Sell This Version
BRSS 078 Oblivion - The Street Beats Projects Oblivion The Street Beats Projects BRSS 078 UK 2018 Sell This Version
BRSS 078 Oblivion - Night Windows / Lush Oblivion Night Windows / Lush(12") Basement Records BRSS 078 UK 2017 Sell This Version
BRSS079 Roger Johnson - In My Soul E.P Roger Johnson In My Soul E.P BRSS079 UK 2019 Sell This Version
BRSSCD002 The Truper, The Sentinel - The Truper And Sentinel Projects The Truper, The Sentinel The Truper, The Sentinel - The Truper And Sentinel Projects (Comp) BRSSCD002 UK 2015 Sell This Version
BRSSCD5HG Various - Homegrown Classics Volume 1 Various Homegrown Classics Volume 1 (Album, Comp) BRSSCD5HG UK 2016 Sell This Version
BRSSCD7PM Various - Precious Material - A New Beginning Various Precious Material - A New Beginning(2xCD, Album) Basement Records, Precious Material BRSSCD7PM UK 2017 Sell This Version
BRSSCD008SB Various - Street Beats Volume 2 Various Street Beats Volume 2 (Comp) BRSSCD008SB UK 2017 Sell This Version
BRSSCD009 Eze-G - The Street Beats Projects Eze-G The Street Beats Projects(CD, Album) Basement Records, Street Beats BRSSCD009 UK 2019 Sell This Version
BRSSCDG 002 2 Dark Troopers* / Techno Bros - I Wanna Be Your Lover / We Are Techno Bros 2 Dark Troopers* / Techno Bros 2 Dark Troopers* / Techno Bros - I Wanna Be Your Lover / We Are Techno Bros(2xFile, MP3, 320) Basement Records BRSSCDG 002 UK 2007
BRSSCL1 Wax Doctor - A New Direction / Herbal Tekno Wax Doctor A New Direction / Herbal Tekno BRSSCL1 UK 2002 Sell This Version
BRSSCL2 Hedgehog Affair - Second Rush / These Are The Sounds Of House Hedgehog Affair Second Rush / These Are The Sounds Of House BRSSCL2 UK 2002 Sell This Version
BRSSCL3 Kev Bird / Wax Doctor - Dark Matter / Airspace Kev Bird / Wax Doctor Kev Bird / Wax Doctor - Dark Matter / Airspace BRSSCL3 UK 2002 Sell This Version
BRSSCL4 Mayhem* - Damage / Signal Generator Mayhem* Damage / Signal Generator BRSSCL4 UK 2002 Sell This Version
BRSSCL5 Hedgehog Affair - Oh My God I'm A DJ / We Told You Hedgehog Affair Oh My God I'm A DJ / We Told You BRSSCL5 UK 2002 Sell This Version
BRSSCL6 Top Buzz - The Top Buzz EP Top Buzz The Top Buzz EP BRSSCL6 UK 2004 Sell This Version

Reviews

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saxroma1

saxroma1

October 30, 2021
Undying respect for all you've done for the culture, Phil – should you be reading this. I was hoping to pick up some Basement merch (better late than never), but the website appears to be down at the moment. Hope this is a temporary state of affairs!!
basementphil

basementphil

September 3, 2018
Unfortunately due to various reasons the back catalogue will not be released digitally.
alagermound

alagermound

May 14, 2018
edited over 6 years ago
Are we ever going to see digital releases of the back catalogue, I have all the vinyls but they are well used and so the sound quality is not really doing the label much justice when played out, seems crazy not to make these available to a wider audience!?
TennersTenTun

TennersTenTun

September 5, 2015
This is one of the few labels that you can buy pretty much any 12" without even hearing it and it'll be well worth it....Proper Hardcore, Jungle, Techno, Breakbeat. Acid sounding tracks.
spaceface01

spaceface01

July 20, 2011
edited over 12 years ago
A word of warning for anyone thinking of purchasing any of the digital re-releases on this label. After seeing them for sale on junodownload, i decided to pick up some of their early rarities, but i have to say i'm hugely disappointed. I have no idea who sourced these digital copies, but they're blatant vinyl rips, and not particularly good ones at that. Shame on you Basement Records if you had anything to do with what appears to be nothing more than a quick cash-in. It takes some of the shine off what is otherwise a deservedly well-respected label.
hemlock

hemlock

April 6, 2006
edited over 18 years ago
Basically,every decent rave tune that made your hairs stand up on your neck in 91/92 was as a result of these guys---the dark d&b and hardcore they made are seminal classics in dance culture,my favourite being kev birds airspace---true innovators of the 1992 scene and on every rave tape going thats good!
JustinEffect

JustinEffect

May 8, 2004
One of my favourite labels, mainly for their '92 and '93 releases - helped create that distinctive dark drum + bass/ techno sound in 1993, played by Randall, Ratty and others, that was unfortunately waylaid by the ragga influenced 'jungle' sound in 1994.
Leggy

Leggy

March 30, 2004
Probably my favourite label ever - in the words of Mad P, "Hardcore, Jungle, Techno" at it's best! EVERY DJ on the scene played Basement tunes in 1992/3 and you'd be hard pressed to find an oldskool tape from that era that doesn't contain one.

Big up Basement Phil for starting this one back in 1991. It's a cliche, but they don't make 'em like that anymore!
Sub.Frequency

Sub.Frequency

July 14, 2003
This label started developing a lot of personality at about release #40, with The Sentinel's "Heavy Vibes / Pulse Of Life." At this point it became a great podium for moody and beautiful melodic jungle. The tracks put out at this point were thoughtfully composed songs, a lot containing emotive melodies utilizing the moody, mellow Rhodes synthesizer. Several of my most favorite "intelligent" jungle tracks were put out by this amazing label, among them The Sentinel's sexy and dreamy "Genesis."
AtomicCow

AtomicCow

November 10, 2002
The #1 Jungle Tekno label, dons of darkness. Has an instantaly recognizable, unique sound. The beats were usually more 4 to the floor sounding, plenty of dark pads and analogue sounds. Very consistent in quality, from about #12 to around #40 when it started getting bland ("intelligent", mellow d'n'b).