Amongst thousands of worldwide record stores working with our Common Ground solution, there are also numerous other profiles such as labels, independent collectors and today’s focus: distributors! These unsung heroes ensure that the beats keep flowing and the melodies find their way into our hands, at an international scale. Let's take a glimpse of the heartbeat of our musical ecosystem.
One Eye Witness (Amsterdam, NL)
Our pick from their catalogue:
Regno Maggiore - Esasummà [Gang Of Ducks]
Since its first simmerings in 2017, It only took a few years for the flying Dutch entity to become the biggest sea serpent in the vast sea of club-material distributors. Amsterdam-based One Eye Witness undeniably promotes a distinctive sound, consistent in the endless float of labels that sails in its wake. Bouncy electro, sharp breakbeat and trancey house, perfectly embodied by Kalahari Oyster Cult label, its first and most loyal collaborator.
→ https://www.one-eye-witness.com
A few labels represented by the distro:
Sound Metaphors (Berlin, GE)
Our pick from their catalogue:
Mário Rui Silva - Stories From Another Time 1982-1988 [Time Capsule]
More than just a distributor, this Berlin-based gem boasts an iconic physical shop in Kreuzberg. Who never came across a totebag minted with the iconic Sound Metaphors circular logo? Still, just like the in-store selecta, the distribution unit has an incredible catalog of leftfield music, ranging from cosmic synth, italo-disco, dreamy trip-hop, world/global pop, 80s/90s dancefloor killers… Plenty of lovely music from their own labels (Bless You, Thank You, Miss You, H.A.N.D., Sound Metaphors 23…) and beyond!
→ https://distribution.soundmetaphors.com
A few labels represented by the distro:
Off the Grid (Berlin, GE)
Our pick from their catalogue:
Born In 1986 - Tears In Our Eyes [Garage Hermétique]
Founded in 2015 by DJ and Producer Federico Benedetti (aka Onirik) to distribute his own Finest Hour label and friends’ ones like Bass Cadet Records, Off the Grid Berlin-based distro / e-shop / label / podcast / party series is on a mission to spread the love for underground club music in all its forms. Whether your heart beats for soulful, groovy, deep, hypnotic, trippy, melodic or minimal house, the man got you covered! And don’t worry, he also has other kinds of ambient, braindance, electro, trance or techno materials.
→ https://www.otg-records.com
A few labels represented by the distro:
The Pusher (Paris, FR)
Our pick from their catalogue:
Don Cherry & Jean Schwarz - Roundtrip - Live at Théatre Récamier - Paris (1977)
Operating from the heart of Paris since the early 00s, The Pusher distribution is a groove music haven. With a roster that spans the crème de la crème of soul, disco, funk, rare groove, afro, jazz, latin, hip-hop, world, electronics… they will curate the warm, suave nights of music aficionados. Just like head honcho Pascal Rioux, who also runs Favorite Recordings, EDR Recordings, STIX Records, Sol Discos, Big Single and Rotax Disques!
→ https://www.thepusher.fr
A few labels represented by the distro:
Written by Loïs Markarian ©Common Ground 2023