Boasting a string of Top 10 Ten hits in the Shazam Charts from artists the likes of; Wretch 32, Example & Yasmin, Ministry Of Sound’s legendary crest is once again on the rise-but this time to newer heights. Having started as a club situated in Elephant & Castle, it quickly earned a reputation as a club with the best sound system in Europe. No longer just a club but rather a brand, 1995 proved to be a telling year for Ministry Of Sound as “The Annual” a compilation of dance songs-went on to sell over 150,000 copies announcing Ministry Of Sound a major player in the independent labels sector. Still operating as an independent label, Ministry Of Sound continue to churn out hit after hit as well as operating its own radio station on a day to day basis.
Shazam caught up with David Dollimore “MD of Ministry of Sound” and discussed its recent success and his vision for the future.
Ministry Of Sound has managed to stay afloat and fight the tides, when many other dance labels have struggled to move with the times. In your opinion, with your current chart success, what have Ministry done to gain advantage over its competitor labels to be where they are now?
David Dollimore: Like most labels we have had both lean and great times and the latter have made up for the former. When I took over the label a few years ago, we adopted a strategy aimed at discovering and breaking real talent and now you are seeing the hard effort bearing fruit. Read more…
Always refusing to be tied down to one style, the team behind Ministry Of Sound continue to deliver essential dance compilations; no matter the genre. With their ‘Underground’ series, the influential dance imprint focus their attention on the emerging sounds that are shaping the coolest dance floors across the globe. On this, their seventh in the Underground collection, they’ve compiled a 2CD collection of some of the finest modern disco tracks.
The compilation is essential listening for anyone who still associates disco with white suits, Studio 54 and light up dancefloors. This modern take on the sound proves that the genre, very much so, has its place in the 21st Century. Bringing together the likes of Nicolas Jaar, Azari & III, Caribou, Ray Mang and Aeroplane, the mix proves that disco has a huge hold over a new generations of dance producers. We have three copies of ‘Underground Disco’ to giveaway; to be in with a chance to win simply answer the question below. Read more…
Do you fancy yourself as the next High Contrast? Or do you and a mate think you could show Chase & Status a thing or two? Now here’s your chance.
In support of their latest compilation ‘Drum & Bass Arena Anthology’ our friends over at Ministry of Sound are giving all budding producers out there the chance to remix DJ Fresh’s recent D&B smash ‘Gold Dust’. To take part head here to download the track’s parts for free, then you’ll need to get creative and put your own individual stamp on it. To get you in the mood have a listen to the original above, currently racking up over a million hits on YouTube.
Once you’re happy with your efforts, send it to Ministry via SoundCloud. It will then be pitted against all other entries before the label pick one winner and three runners up, who will all receive some jaw dropping prizes.
The winner will be rewarded with a set of Pioneer HDJ-2000 headphones (worth £250), a SoundCloud Pro Account and an hour live DJ slot on D&BTV. The three runners up will win a SoundCloud Lite Account. In addition all winners will receive a copy of ‘Drum & Bass Arena: Anthology’ album, a copy of ‘All Crews’ by Brian Belle-Fortune and Drum & Bass Arena goodies.
The competition ends on 27th September 2010, so get going this weekend and test your entries on your friends! All winners will be notified by 8th October 2010. For more info and full T&C’s head to the Ministry of Sound Blog
This summer Ministry Of Sound celebrates 15 years of their Annual compilation series. To tie in with this anniversary, the influential dance label are giving away an iPad preloaded with every edition of the Annual. In order to win this though, you will need to get a bit creative. To be in with a chance of winning, Ministry are asking for all entrants to take a photo of themselves with any edition of the Annual – the most fun and creative entry will win!
All the details can be found here, along with an interactive quiz that will test your knowledge of a decade and a half’s worth of dance classics. Also, to get you in the mood, check out the Annual 15 Yearsmegamix video above. A mix of some of the standout anthems of past, present and future from Example, Dizzee Rascal, Freemasons, Basshunter, Calvin Harris, Alice Deejay, Paul van Dyk, Fatboy Slim, The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Armand Van Helden, Groove Armada and many more.
