Defected In the House

It was legendary DJ and Space resident Steve Lawler who famously said “House music is the soundtrack to the more deviant, exciting rebellious side of life”; handily summing up much of what the Defected philosophy is all about. Every year, more than half a million people attend Defected In the House events around the globe, with millions more exposed to the DJs and tracks associated with the label. Operating in more than 40 countries, Defected are the most internationally recognisable dance brand in the world with a reputation built on the love of music. As founder and chief A&R man Simon Dunmore says; “It’s ultimately about having a good Saturday night out “, a philosophy that is clearly evident at their long-standing residencies at Pacha, Ibiza (every Saturday through the summer) and Ministry of Sound, London.

With millions of records sold globally, the label has worked with some of the biggest and most creative names in the business, and is responsible for introducing talents such as Bob Sinclar, Junior Jack, ATFC, Sandy Rivera and Copyright to an ever-hungry audience. 

“Defected is probably the one and only label that carried House music's legacy into the 21st century. It preserved its history while continuing a new one, bridging the gap across generations of music lovers and clubbers worldwide.”

Dimitri from Paris

Running through what Defected ultimately represents is a rich vein of disco. 30 years ago the entire dance scene was rooted in disco, and in today’s musically fragmented society, it’s no surprise that clubbers are once again turning to a genre with longevity and substance. Defected’s 2009 campaign is themed ‘21st Century Disco’, delivering a respectful nod to the label’s musical heritage while championing it’s position as the music of choice in modern day clubs and bars. Disco was originally born out of the public’s need to express and enjoy themselves during a recession, so it’s no surprise that dance music is once again booming as people attempt to forget the working week.

In 2009 as the label celebrates its 10th year In the House, it has proved itself to be as adaptable as it is dedicated to the cause. Where other labels have struggled to keep up with the shifting and volatile market, Defected have embraced the dawning and subsequent prevalence of the digital age, focusing their efforts online and exercising a far broader reach as a result. Their website www.defected.com strives to act as a true dance portal for their ever-growing online community, setting high standards for its output based on up to date industry news and media channels as well as an online store.  With the ‘Defected In the House’ series, the ‘Playboy Mansion’ compilations and now the digital series ‘Clubland Adventures’, Defected have initiated some of the most reliable brands in the compilations market, and the list of artists to have compiled ‘In the House’ releases reads like a who’s who of discotheque mastery; Dimitri from Paris, Masters At Work, Gilles Peterson, Jazzy Jeff, Danny Krivit, Joey Negro to name but a few.

In recent years, Defected has formed strong affiliations with some of the most established labels in the game, forming solid partnerships with seminal imprints Strictly Rhythm, Subliminal, Junior Boys Own, Slip & Slide and a host of others of equal calibre.

From its first release – Soulsearcher’s ‘Can’t Get Enough’ – to its last, Defected’s sound has been deeply rooted in classic soul and disco, and while their sound has no doubt developed over the last decade with techier signings such as Ame ‘Rej’ and Lifelike & Kris Menace ‘Discopolis’, this firm belief in the essential musicality of house has never faded. Kings of Tomorrow’s ‘Finally’, Blaze ‘Most Precious Love’, Fish Go Deep ‘The Cure and the Cause’ and the chart topping ‘Another Chance’ from Roger Sanchez, are shining examples of the quality, creativity and exuberance Defected Records continually strive to represent.