Let the debate begin...

Resident Advisor has just published its top 20 labels of 2008 here. It was compiled using input from a long list of contributors to the site (listed at the bottom of the page), so everyone will have a different opinion about what the best labels were this year. Out of interest, here's the list of my favourite labels that I submitted to RA:

Sandwell District
Ostgut
Delsin / Ann Aimee
Modern Love
Spectral
Dial /  Smallville
M<O<S<
Wagon Repair
Time 2 Express
Clone /  Clone Classics
Perlon
Creme / Crème Jak
Workshop
Rush Hour
Underground Quality
FXHE
Yore
Minimise
Nature
MDR

I chose them on the basis that they released my favourite records this year. So what were yours?

Comments

[clom]

I'll agree with the majority of the ones you've listed. Thanks especially for drawing attention to Sandwell District, some brilliant releases this year.

Other labels that snagged my attention:

Something
Punch Drunk
Sound Signature
Hyperdub
Wireblock
Werk Discs (who, in the last few months have released two of the best albums of the year, Zombys "Where were you in '92" and Actress' "Hazyville")

[clom]

D'oh.

Totally forgot Prime Numbers!

[Benjamin]

My top 5 labels in 2008:

1. Marcel Dettmann Records
2. Sandwell District
3. Ostgut Ton
4. Sleeparchive
5. Fullpanda Records

[Benjamin]

Okay, top 6...

6. Time To Express

[Joe H]

my top ten
1 - philpot
2 - mojuba
3 - ostgut ton
4 - something
5 - mule electronic/music
6 - workshop
7 - sthlmaudio
8 - dial
9- quintessentials
10- millions of moments

[b0b]

Also I agree with almost half of the posted list (not familiar with the other half but will investigate). Other favorites

- Frantic Flowers
- Frustrated Funk
- Subject Detroit
- Eevolute / EevoNext
- Third Ear
- Iridite
- Mixmode recordings (Delano Smith)

[teleost]

ostgut ton...

...

everything else...

[Kenny]

Moustache
Sistrum
Creme
Clone / Classic Cuts
Dissident

[chrisdisco]

i quite strongly disagree with lumping dial and smallville together. while they are a similar crew, what they've been doing is different. smallville had an amazing year, whereas dial had a remarkably subpar and disappointing year - perhaps the first time that has happened. it is funny, for so long dial were majorly under-rated and now they are being over-rated...

[Testindustries]

Hey guys, thanks for sending on your lists - some great choices. Chris, the reason I put Dial and Smallville together was a) to get more labels that I like listed and b) because Dial released one of my favourite sinles - 'Miles' by Lawrence and Smallvill put out the Move D/Benjamin Brunn label. As such, their inclusion in the list reflects my top singles and albums, which I'll post here soon. I agree though, Dial had a poor year; Lawrence's lp failed to move me and 'Miles' was the only single of theirs I bought. next year then...

[kuri]

Not necessarily in order of preference:
Third Ear
Delsin
Ferris Park
Rush Hour
Yore
Subject Detroit
NightVision
Logos
Uzuri
Styrax

[d]

No mention of D1 recordings! pity...

[terence]

Not sure I could narrow it down to 5 but...

1.Sandwell District
2.Raster Noton
3.Downwards (You can't ignore them - even if they don't release anything - Same goes for Bunker though they have released)
4.Skull Disco
5.Echoecho (I discovered it only this year)
6.Modern Love
7.Hotflush
8.Emergence
9.Touching Bass
10.Ancient Methods

[Fan]

Subject Detroit
Token
Restoration Records

[clom]

oh, and echocord put some great stuff out.
esp the metal mikkell thing.

[peder]

i thought dial had a pretty strong year actually - john roberts "hesitate" was an excellent debut.

of labels that people haven't mentioned yet, i thought running back had a great year - mark e's "slave 1", prosumer, move d and the the new radio slave.

irr (the areal sub-label) also. dj koze's "i want to sleep" is one of the records of the year for me, and the john daly and ada releases were also very strong.

[Benjamin]

Nice list, Terence.

[Neil]

Subject Detroit!