Since its inception Jalapeno Records has grown into an oasis of funked up, fun-loving dance music which defies pigeon-holing. From huge album releases by the legendary nu-disco crew Kraak & Smaak to the gospel-infused blues of Izo FitzRoy, to the crisp hip-hop breaks from fun-loving showstoppers The Allergies, to the northern soul of Smoove & Turrell, whatever flavour of beats tickle your taste buds, there’s something to dig at Jalapeno Records.

 

The label developed from an initial core roster comprised of Skeewiff, Kraak & Smaak & IKON. Skeewiff were among the daddies of the funk breaks scene along with peers like the Fingerlickin Records crew and producers such as Fort Knox Five and All Good Funk Alliance (both of whom since signed projects to the label). Kraak & Smaak were the poster boys of Jalapeno Funk. They stepped up to the world stage making their mark with a killer debut album, Boogie Angst, and a world beating live show to back it up.

 

In 2004, they released ‘Squeeze Me’ a single and video that really made the whole industry take note of the label.

Gigs at Glastonbury Festival and plays on BBC Radio 1 would then follow for Kraak & Smaak whilst the label itself began to build a head of steam.

 

This upswing would be marked by the signing of soul / funk legend Soopasoul and then Northern Soul upstarts, Smoove & Turrell. The latter’s debut album dropped in 2009 and won over fellow soul head, Craig Charles - a key supporter whose influence kickstarted the boys’ assault on national radio whilst becoming a regular supporter of the label himself.

 

Now more than ten years deep on the label – Smoove & Turrell’s latest album “Stratos Bleu” debuted at Number 1 on the official UK Dance Album charts – another landmark for Jalapeno and the band.

 

The next decade was marked by roster diversification for Jalapeno Records as the team had their heads turned by ephemerals, a band that would become synonymous with originality and risk-taking whilst consistently delivering groove-laden and intelligent songwriting over four albums on the label. This would earn them extensive radio play and the musical landmark achievement of having a platinum record after being sampled by French producer, Kungs on the hit single ‘I Feel So Bad’.

 

As the years have passed, the roster has grown and become more prolific. Turntablist kings The Allergies signed to Jalapeno, with almost instant audience resonance and momentum, winning 3 x ‘Album Of The Day’ awards on BBC 6 Music and a headline slot at the 6Music festival.

 

The band spent several weeks on the A List of the BBC 6 Music playlist with the ridiculously good “Felony” leading into the killer album “Say The Word”. Follow up album “Promised Land” has further built the bands reputation and their live show featuring Andy Cooper and Marietta Smith has made them a festival mainstay.

 

To date the label has clocked up nearly 400 releases and is still going strong. DJ sets at festivals, parties, big radio play and a relentless schedule of quality releases that never stops. The ethos of the label is clear for all to see,  support artists and promote high quality, fiercely independent, funky, but above all else, good music.