Warp

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Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent English record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the most enduring artists in electronic music.

Founded by Steve Beckett and the late Rob Mitchell from their experiences working at the FON record store, alongside producer Robert Gordon, The label (whose name was chosen because the original name, ‘Warped Records’ was difficult to distinguish over the telephone) soon became home to artists who would be highly influential in electronic music.

The first release (WAP1) was by Forgemasters (produced by Robert Gordon), whose limited 500 copy pressing of “Track With No Name” was financed by an Enterprise Allowance grant and distributed in a borrowed car. It set a trend for the early releases both in terms of sound and the use of purple sleeves (designed by The Designers Republic). The follow up was Nightmares on Wax’s “Dextrous”, which charted, selling 30,000 copies despite a lack of promotion. This led to greater commercial success; by its fifth release the label had its first top-twenty chart entry with LFO and their eponymous single, “LFO”, which sold 130,000 copies and peaked at #12 in the UK chart in July 1990; by coincidence, that same month another Warp act, Tricky Disco, reached #14 in the UK chart with another eponymous single, “Tricky Disco”.

The first album released was Sweet Exorcist’s C.C.E.P. in 1991. In the same year Robert Gordon left Warp acrimoniously.

Top Albums

  • Yellow House
    Grizzly Bear Play
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  • Mirrored
    Battles Play
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  • A Certain Trigger
    Maxïmo Park Play
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  • In A Space Outta Sound
    Nightmares on Wax Play
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  • Carboot Soul
    Nightmares on Wax Play
    Buy
  • Tender Buttons
    Broadcast Play
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Shouts

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  • kiklop22

    WARP

    last week
  • silverlage

    Appy Ew Ear says Zilch Records

    January 2012
  • notandorgates

    ello ... [..]

    January 2012
  • diver000

    i'm first

    December 2011
  • Bastelkopp

    Artificial Intelligence

    November 2011
  • Grimlord2

    I love Warp.

    November 2011
  • zordis

    W-Rulez

    September 2011
  • Astrofriend

    One of the best.

    September 2011
  • dramu123

    dig it

    September 2011
  • prorubono

    hallelujah warp

    September 2011
  • pawcut

    jus recorded a track with the wonderful sarah winton (maybe u know her voice from nightmares on wax recordings )... check it out if u like her voice ... if u dont ... have a nice day :) http://soundcloud.com/pawproduction/sarah-winton-papership

    August 2011
  • DanSturniolo

    Warp stock destroyed :( http://warp.net/records/general/stock-destroyed-pias-sony-fire-london-riots

    August 2011
  • opacip

    Check out our blog : http://fonotecq.com/ !!! Here you'll find reviews and small previews of what we’re listening to. Also, you can find us on Facebook.

    July 2011
  • bzsd

    @ntdrvvv-vr: A black box has appeared on BoC site a few months back.

    May 2011
  • James_Hartley

    Yeah, some of the earlier stuff is beginning to sound dated, but they still have a strong catalogue. I was brought up on Warp, Mo-wax and Ninja Tune. And look how great I am now (don't look).

    April 2011
  • m-saIami

    Record labels are always spaming your mailbox with a lot of uninteresting spams... Warp's mail are always enjoyable =)

    April 2011
  • boehj

    sum nice tunes

    February 2011
  • KVZ-2011

    hi all

    February 2011
  • ntdrvvv-vr

    well, Broadcast was still strong, but... you know. also, flying locus

    February 2011
  • ntdrvvv-vr

    kinda losing my loyalty to these guys. their only really good music has been from new acts; the veteran artists are becoming a bit forgettable (assuming they're still making music at all, i.e. Seefeel.) it also seems that all the good music on here recently has been centered around hip-hop. only good true electronic album I can think of was Autechre's "Move of Ten". I just hope the new Bibio isn't the only thing worth anticipating this year. highly doubt BoC is coming back anytime soon

    February 2011
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