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LA Collection - Bellboy - Bandcamp Top 25

by Chris Cowie

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Henrik Frommer
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Djavid Must
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1.
Stone Maker aka Chris Cowie - Flash Funk 06:31
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2.
Junk Funk 05:41
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3.
Russia 09:01
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4.
Silver 07:24
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5.
Sure Thing 07:26
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6.
Therapy 05:48
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7.
Catcher 06:28
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8.
Landlord aka Chris Cowie - +1 05:40
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9.
Landlord aka Chris Cowie - -1 06:47
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10.
Landlord aka Chris Cowie - Nymphonation 06:38
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11.
Landlord aka Chris Cowie - The Shift 06:31
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12.
Mark Finnie & Chris Cowie - Fire Cooler 05:27
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13.
Mark Finnie & Chris Cowie - Drum Runner 06:54
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14.
Mark Finnie & Chris Cowie - Blunted Vision 06:33
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15.
Mark Finnie & Chris Cowie - Get My Bearings 06:22
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16.
Richard Beck aka Chris Cowie - Faith 04:49
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17.
Richard Beck aka Chris Cowie - Memory Dance 07:03
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18.
Scan Carriers aka Chris Cowie - Citizen X 07:02
info
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19.
Scan Carriers - aka Chris Cowie - Scan Carriers 07:00
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20.
Stonemaker aka Chris Cowie - 9000 Miles 06:15
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21.
Vegas Soul - aka Chris Cowie - Mute 05:41
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22.
Vegas Soul aka Chris Cowie - My Life 05:45
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23.
Vegas Soul aka Chris Cowie - Self Control 06:09
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24.
Vegas Soul aka Chris Cowie - Optic 08:15
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25.
Bulk Head aka Chris Cowie - Easy Rider 06:54
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about

This compilation features the current top 25 best-selling tracks on Bandcamp from the Bellboy Records label. All tracks were composed by Chris Cowie (except for one collaboration) Several of the tracks in this collection are from complete EPs purchased, so this list may not be considered definitive. The order of tracks is not based on best sellers.

My thoughts on Bellboy Records
The Bellboy label left an indelible mark on the dance music scene of the '90s and early 2000s. With a distinctive signature sound, it was born from a fusion of my musical influences, stemming from the eclectic sounds of the 1980s, spanning indie guitar bands and credible synth-pop. While I never had a taste for overtly commercial music, I revelled in the offbeat, under-the-radar hits that came and went swiftly, making their mark on the charts. But also my influence and musical journey was undeniably shaped by the burgeoning dance scene of the era, an entirely new genre that I couldn't help but be influenced by and was happy to be part of.

I was both the writer and producer behind approximately 90% of the music that graced the Bellboy label and its counterpart, Hook Recordings. The sheer volume of my releases necessitated the use of numerous aliases – at one point, there may have been as many as twenty. In addition to these labels, my work found homes on other renowned record labels such as Soma, Limbo, Out On A Limb, Music Man, and more, some I don't care to mention. Returning to the Bellboy label, its identity was a blend of Techno, House, Deep House, and Tech House. Ultimately, I'd categorize it as a Tech House label with a distinctive and quirky signature sound that set it apart from most of its contemporaries.

Now, some of these tracks have reached the three-decade mark, and I can't help but notice how well they've aged. It brings a wee smile to my face to know that my music is also resonating with a new generation of producers. This isn't about blowing any trumpets; it's a genuine sense of gratitude that some of my creations are influencing new producers.

The '90s and early 2000s saw the Bellboy label hailed as a trailblazing imprint, yet there was a personal challenge I had to contend with. In the music and DJ world, there exists resistance to someone perceived as someone who navigates across multiple styles. While the label's releases basked in the limelight, that acclaim didn't necessarily translate to personal recognition, resulting in substantial underexposure. To be fair, it's partly, if not mostly, my own doing – after all, juggling 26 aliases and countless releases under anonymous monikers did little to bolster my own profile. But it was a necessity; I was a relentless music-making machine, and my creative output was as essential as breathing air. Additionally, I juggled the responsibility of producing for five labels I'd created, alongside co-writing and producing with several collaborating DJs. Using my real name would have flooded the market with releases, potentially alienating many. It didn't help that my label partner was better at manipulating me than being a strategist and keeping potential managers at arm's length for reasons that are now evident in hindsight.

Nonetheless, in the face of musical elitism, a manipulative label administrator, and general chaos, the Bellboy and Hook releases consistently earned rave reviews in the press, rarely receiving anything less than five stars. The airwaves of BBC Radio One on Friday and Saturday evenings frequently resonated with the releases of these labels. Virtually all the dance DJs on Radio One were enthusiastic supporters, with one notable exception in Pete Tong, who seemed to have issues with the labels from the outset. The iconic John Peel, arguably the most famous Radio One DJ, was a fan and frequently aired Bellboy releases.

Looking ahead, I intend to release more music, although not at my 90's release schedule. With only around 60% of my catalog, both solo and collaborative available online, I plan to unveil the remaining releases as and when I can access the masters. It's likely going to take a few years before it's all online. I doubt I will manage to find all of it.

credits

released September 22, 2023

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all rights reserved

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about

Chris Cowie UK

Producing music for over two decades culminating in over 200 hundred commercial releases. Also responsible for the influential Bellboy Records and Hook Recordings. The labels sound became widely respected and often imitated.

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