Featured Record Label: On-U Sound
The presentation of a record label that stands out in the worldwide music business is an important feature of every edition of East of Culture – Different Sounds.
A tradition and staple of the East of Culture – Different Sounds festival is the annual showcase of a selected, unique music label. Over the years, we have introduced our audiences to significant labels that have played a crucial role in the development of specific musical styles, both from Poland and around the world. Our special guest this time is none other than Adrian Sherwood, the visionary behind London’s iconic On-U Sound record label. The artist will assume various roles during his trip to Lublin. Firstly, he will perform his signature DJ set and take part in a discussion about the history and current state of On-U Sound. He will also step behind the mixing desk as the sound engineer during the concert of African Head Charge. As part of the label’s presentation, visitors will have the opportunity to view a special exhibition highlighting over four decades of the label’s history and its connection to Poland.
On-U Sound is a legendary English record label, founded in 1979 by Adrian Sherwood. To this day, the label remains an influential force in the music industry. Dub, reggae, roots, and electro take centre stage in its catalogue, but it also offers a diverse selection of afrobeat, jazz, and hip hop. This label has had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in this music scene, such as Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor, African Head Charge, Creation Rebel, Prince Far I, and Little Axe. On-U Sound’s distinct and captivating style can be traced back to its roots in a thriving DIY scene, emerging from a time when Jamaican music greatly influenced British culture. It was also a period marked by an explosion of new trends and genres, such as post-punk, industrial, jungle, dubstep, and many more. After four decades in the industry, the label has endured all changes and revolutions in the music and publishing world, thriving and amassing a loyal fan base around the globe. Like Adrian Sherwood, it remains committed to “disturbing the comfortable and comforting the disturbed”.
Adrian Sherwood – on the global dub scene, Adrian is essentially an institution in himself. The founder of this year’s featured label, On-U Sound, is a producer, musician, DJ, and publisher. Hailing from London, this artist has been at the forefront of defining stylistic and sonic trends for over four decades. Juggling both artistic innovation and the responsibility of preserving music’s legacy, he has shaped the landscape of sound in profound ways. Unsurprisingly a musician’s musician, Adrian’s production credits include artists such as Depeche Mode, Sinead O’Connor, Primal Scream, Nine Inch Nails, and two bands that have graced the stage at Different Sounds: Einstürzende Neubauten and Ministry
African Head Charge – a psychedelic dub supergroup and one of the flagship acts of the On-U Sound label. The band’s origins trace back to the early 1980s, founded by the exceptional drummer Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah. African Head Charge has always been renowned for incorporating punk and alternative sounds, merging them into a captivating blend with music from Africa and the Caribbean. The vibrant and multicultural London of the 1980s served as the perfect backdrop for this explosive mix. Today, the band enjoys a well-deserved status as a cult favorite, not just among dub enthusiasts. Their appearance in Lublin will be a fantastic opportunity to experience the current sound of one of the most important groups in the genre’s entire history.
PREVIOUS EDITIONS:
Different sounds 2023 | Gusstaff Records
Different Sounds 2022 | Dischord Records
Different Sounds 2021 | Instant Classic
Different Sounds 2020 | Antena Krzyku
Different Sounds 2019 | Lithuanian Focus (no label)
Different Sounds 2018 | Glitterbeat Records
Different Sounds 2017 | Crammed Discs