Deconstruction Records

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Deconstruction Records
Deconstruction logo.JPG
Parent company
Founded1987
FounderPete Hadfield, Keith Blackhurst, Mike Pickering
Country of origin England
Location London

Deconstruction Records is a British record label founded in 1987 by Pete Hadfield and Keith Blackhurst, [1] together with Mike Pickering of M People. [2] [3] According to DJ Magazine it is "best remembered for marrying underground credibility and diversity with an open-minded attitude towards pop". [4]

Contents

Artists

Kylie Minogue Kylie Minogue Cropped Sliver Spoon Awards 2012.jpg
Kylie Minogue

It initially specialised in house anthems such as K Klass's "Rhythm Is a Mystery" and Bassheads' "Is There Anybody Out There?", as well as M People's output, but also had a record in promoting underground dance acts such as Dave Clarke. [4] Hits included Robert Miles' UK No. 2 hit "Children", [4] Felix's twice UK top ten hit "Don't You Want Me" [1] and Italian techno act U.S.U.R.A.'s UK No. 7 hit, "Open Your Mind".

It was home to Kylie Minogue in the mid-late 1990s, when working with Saint Etienne, Brothers in Rhythm (who produced her single "Confide in Me"), and others. [5] [6]

Among the other artists to record for the company were Guru Josh, Black Box, M People, Way Out West, Sasha, Jam Machine [7] and Republica. [2] It also released recordings by Lionrock, Death in Vegas and Dub Pistols through its Concrete Records subsidiary. [2]

Commercial history

Distribution was via label deals with Parlophone, for acts such as K-Klass and Bassheads,[ citation needed ] and RCA Records for everybody else (although M People had a separate deal with Epic in the United States, but had its primary label attached to their releases Stateside). It was acquired by BMG in 1993, [1] and its operations reduced in 1998,[ citation needed ] with M People gaining its own M People Records label for the release of its Fresco album. Sony Music then acquired BMG's stake in Sony BMG Music Entertainment in 2008, which led to the closure of both Deconstruction and Concrete. [8]

Orthography

Deconstruction Records was written a number of ways, including

2009 re-launch

Sony and Three Six Zero Group relaunched the label in July 2009, again under Mike Pickering; its first release was Sasha's "Xpander" in August 2009. [2] [4] They relaunched some of its back catalogue, and announced some new signings in late 2009, including Axwell, Diagram of the Heart, Retro/Grade and Way Out West. In May 2010, it was announced that Calvin Harris was signed the head of the A&R team at the newly relaunched Deconstruction label. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kylie Minogue</span> Australian singer and actress (born 1968)

Kylie Ann Minogue is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. Minogue is the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time, having sold over 80 million records worldwide. She has been recognised for reinventing herself in music as well as fashion, and is referred to by the European press as the "Princess of Pop" and a style icon. Her accolades include a Grammy Award, three Brit Awards and 17 ARIA Music Awards.

<i>Kylie Minogue</i> (album) 1994 album by Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue is the fifth studio album recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. Deconstruction released it in the United Kingdom on 19 September 1994, while a release was issued through Mushroom Records in Australia on the same date. After leaving Pete Waterman Entertainment, Minogue wanted to establish her credibility and signed with the independent record label Deconstruction in early 1993. She became involved with a diverse group of collaborators in order to experiment with different sounds. After generally unsuccessful sessions with Saint Etienne and The Rapino Brothers, Minogue collaborated with new producers including Brothers in Rhythm, M People, Farley & Heller, and Jimmy Harry.

<i>Hits+</i> 2000 compilation album by Kylie Minogue

Hits+ is a compilation album by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, which was released on 7 November 2000 by Deconstruction Records. The album was the last compilation album which was released by the record label at the time, because Minogue had released her then Parlophone album Light Years (2000). The album peaked at number sixty-three in Australia on the ARIA albums chart.

<i>Confide in Me</i> (2001 album) 2002 compilation album by Kylie Minogue

Confide in Me is a compilation album by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, which was released in November 2001. Released on 18 November 2002 by PWL, the album collects work from Minogue's Deconstruction period, including the albums Kylie Minogue (1994) and Impossible Princess (1997). The album was ineligible to chart on the main U.K. albums chart due to being considered a budget album, but had a chart run on the Budget Albums Chart from 2002 to 2005, peaking at #4 in 2003. It received mixed reviews from music critics; whilst they praised the tracks from Deconstruction period, they felt that the album was too similar to the compilation album Hits+.

<i>Impossible Princess</i> 1997 studio album by Kylie Minogue

Impossible Princess is the sixth studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, released on 22 October 1997, by Deconstruction, BMG and Mushroom Records. The singer asserted greater creative control over the project — as a co-producer and composer of the material — compared to her previous work, assisted by Brothers in Rhythm, Manic Street Preachers, David Ball and Rob Dougan.

<i>Ultimate Kylie</i> 2004 greatest hits album by Kylie Minogue

Ultimate Kylie is the second major greatest hits album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, and her first greatest hits released under her contract with Parlophone, her record company between 1999–2015. The compilation was released in many different formats including a two-disc edition and a deluxe double disc with a bonus DVD. A separate compilation DVD with the same name, was released to accompany the audio versions. The album includes two new tracks; its lead single, "I Believe in You", and the second single, "Giving You Up". A third track, "Made of Glass", was recorded for the album but not used; it was included on the physical releases of "Giving You Up".

<i>Impossible Remixes</i> 1998 remix album by Kylie Minogue

Impossible Remixes is the fourth remix album by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue. It was released on 8 July 1998 by Mushroom Records. The album was materialized while on her Intimate and Live Tour (1998) and contains remixes from her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). Originally scheduled for a 1999 release, Mushroom released Impossible Remixes in Australia in July 1998 after releasing the UK counterpart Mixes (1998) earlier than its original date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Confide in Me</span> 1994 single by Kylie Minogue

"Confide in Me" is a song recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, taken from her self-titled fifth studio album (1994). It was released as the album's lead single on 29 August 1994 by Deconstruction, Imago, and Mushroom Records. The track was written by Steve Anderson, Dave Seaman, and Owain Barton, whilst production was handled by British trio Brothers in Rhythm. It was recorded in London, United Kingdom at DMC and Sarm West Studios. Musically, it is a pop song that incorporates elements of indie music, trip hop, and Middle Eastern instrumentation such as strings and percussion, whilst the lyrical content talks about Minogue's earnest of seduction and manipulating people to confide into her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Put Yourself in My Place (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 1994 single by Kylie Minogue

"Put Yourself in My Place" is a song recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, taken from her fifth and eponymous studio album (1994). It was released as the record's second single on 14 November 1994, and was distributed by Deconstruction and Mushroom as a CD single, cassette tape and 12-inch vinyl. The track was written, arranged, and produced by Jimmy Harry, and was recorded in New York City with the parent album's engineer Doug Deangelis. A ballad that discusses themes of ending a relationship and moving on, the song's sound incorporates musical elements of trip hop and pop music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where Is the Feeling?</span> 1995 single by Kylie Minogue

"Where Is the Feeling?" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue from her fifth studio album, Kylie Minogue (1994). The song was written by Wilf Smarties and Jayn Hanna, while production was handled by Brothers in Rhythm. It was released on 10 July 1995 as the third and final single from the album, by Deconstruction and Mushroom Records, seven months after the release of the second single. A new version was recorded for the single release, featuring spoken vocals by Minogue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Some Kind of Bliss</span> 1997 single by Kylie Minogue

"Some Kind of Bliss" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, for her sixth studio album, Impossible Princess (1997). The song was released as the lead single from the album on 8 September 1997 through BMG, Deconstruction and Mushroom. Minogue co-wrote the track with James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore while Bradfield and Dave Eringa produced it. Backed by guitar and drum instruments, "Some Kind of Bliss" is a Britpop track in which Minogue sings about feeling happy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowboy Style</span> 1998 single by Kylie Minogue

"Cowboy Style" is a song recorded by Australian recording artist and songwriter Kylie Minogue, for her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). The song was released as the fourth and final single on 5 October 1998 through Mushroom. Minogue co-wrote the track with Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman while Brothers in Rhythm produced it. Backed by guitars, synthesisers and drum instruments, "Cowboy Style" is a Celtic pop track in which Minogue sings about her relationship with Stephane Sednaoui. Critical response to "Cowboy Style" was positive; some critics praised the song's composition, Minogue's song writing and highlighted it as a career stand out track. Released in Australia and New Zealand, the song charted at number 39 on the Australian Singles Chart.

<i>Mixes</i> (Kylie Minogue album) 1998 remix album by Kylie Minogue

Mixes is the fifth remix album by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue. It was released on 3 August 1998, by Deconstruction Records. The album contains remixes of tracks from her sixth studio album, Impossible Princess (1997). The remixes were done by DJs such as Brothers in Rhythm, Junior Vasquez, and Todd Terry. The remixes was influenced by various genres of dance music, such as electronica and dance-pop. The album was originally scheduled for a 1999 release, but Deconstruction pre-poned the release date of Mixes in the United Kingdom to August 1998, since the Australian counterpart, Impossible Remixes (1998), had been released earlier than its original date. With favourable critical reception, Mixes charted in the United Kingdom at number sixty-three on the UK Albums Chart, her highest remix album at the time. The Brothers in Rhythm remix of "Too Far" was released as a promotional single in the UK and North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Did It Again (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 1997 single by Kylie Minogue

"Did It Again" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, originally featured on her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). The song was released as the album's second single on 24 November 1997 through Mushroom, Deconstruction, and BMG. Minogue had written the track with Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman, and it was produced by Minogue in collaboration with Brothers in Rhythm. Backed by guitars and drum, "Did It Again" is a pop rock track in which Minogue sings about her self-consciousness and self-hatred.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 1998 single by Kylie Minogue

"Breathe" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, from her sixth studio album, Impossible Princess (1997). It was released on 16 March 1998 as the third single from the album, and her final one for the Deconstruction Records label. "Breathe" was co-written by Minogue with Ball and Vauk and produced by Dave Ball and Ingo Vauk. Backed by synthesisers and keyboards, it is an electronica track. The lyrics revolve around contemplation and calmness. "Breathe" received mostly positive reviews from music critics, some of whom highlighted the track as an album stand-out and commended the lyrical and vocal delivery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Anderson (musician)</span> British musician, songwriter and record producer

Stephen John Anderson is a British musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his work with Kylie Minogue on her tours and albums, and as part of the production group Brothers in Rhythm. He has also worked on songs and albums for many recording artists such as Britney Spears, Westlife, Christophe Willem, Judie Tzuke and Susan Boyle.

K-Klass are a British electronic music group from Wrexham, Wales and Chester, England, who are based in Manchester, England. Its original members were Andy Williams, Carl Thomas, Russ Morgan and Paul Roberts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kylie Minogue albums discography</span>

Australian singer, songwriter and actress Kylie Minogue has released fifteen studio albums, thirteen compilation albums, nine live albums, ten extended plays (EP), eleven remix albums and two box sets. With estimated career sales of over 80 million albums worldwide as of July 2020, Minogue is recognized as the highest-selling female Australian recording artist of all time. Referred as the “Princess of Pop” by various media outlets, she has scored seven number-one albums on the ARIA Albums Chart, the most for any female Australian artist. In the United Kingdom, she holds the record for being the first woman to score a number 1 on the Official Albums Chart in five consecutive decades, from the 1980s to the 2020s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Far</span> 1997 promotional single by Kylie Minogue

"Too Far" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, taken from her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). It was written and produced by Minogue, with additional production credits to Brothers in Rhythm. The song is a drum and bass song where Minogue describes her anger and frustration through its lyrics. It contains elements of club music and breakbeat music, and employs spoken word techniques.

References

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  9. "Calvin Harris to be Deconstruction A&R man". Completemusicupdate.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.