Dorado Records is a British independent record label based in London. Initially pioneering the Acid Jazz and Trip hop music movement of the early 1990s, notable current and past artists signed to the label include D*Note, Jhelisa, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Natalie Walker, Beth Hirsh and Outside.[1]

History                                                    

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Dorado Records was founded in 1992 by music executive Ollie Buckwell in Soho, London[2] [3].

Initially focusing on experimental jazz artist signings, in 1995 Dorado branched into electronic dance adding artists Sunship and DJ Q to the label’s roster [4] [5].

In 1999 Dorado signed Beth Hirsh, following her successful collaboration with Air on “Moon Safari” and subsequent return to London[6]. Dorado released her second solo EP “P-Town Rubies” on 14th September 1999[7]. At the time, Hirsh described Dorado to Billboard Magazine as “An anti-label, label. Every artist they work with they believe in. They promote their artists with a lot of integrity.” [8]

Dorado pioneered the use of early online music technology, offering their catalogue streamed in full in 1998[9]. In 2003 Dorado was one of the first independent labels to license their catalogue to iTunes[10].

In 2004, Dorado opened a US office in Miami, and released the debut album from Cities Of Foam ''A Great Day For The Race'' in 2005[11]. The track “Without You” was spotlighted on iTunes as UK single of the week[12]. In 2006, Dorado released the first of four albums from US artist Natalie Walker, ''Urban Angel'', followed by ''With You'', ''Spark'' (2011) and Strange Bird'' (2015) [13]. These records received wide critical and commercial success, with a Thievery Corporation remix of the track "Quicksand" featuring in the Sofia Coppola film Marie Antoinette [14], and “Waking Dream'' appearing in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. [15]

In 2015, Dorado reunited with Brooklyn Funk Essentials releasing their fifth and most successful selling album ''Funk Ain''t Ova'' on November 13th followed by “Stay Good” in 2019 [16]. In 2021 Dorado released Jhelisa’s album ‘7 Keys V.2[17].

As of 2024, Dorado continues to be based in both Miami and London[18].

Notable Artist Roster (Past and Present)

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·       Anita Kelsey

·       Brooklyn Funk Essentials

·       Natalie Walker

·       Jhelisa

·       Beth Hirsh

·       D*Note

·       Outside (Matt Cooper)

·       Moke

·       Sunship

·       DJ Q

·       Dana Bryant

·       The Amalgamation Of Soundz

See also

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·       Lists of record labels

·       List of independent UK record labels

References

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1. Dorado Records at BandCamp

2. Dorado Records Profile at Discogs

3. BahaTeletrader Article, Jan. 19 1999

4. Sunship at Discogs

5. DJ Q at Discogs

6. Wilson, Mackenzie "Beth Hirsch Biography", AllMusic Retrieved February 08, 2024

7. Wilson, Mackenzie "Beth Hirsch Biography", AllMusic Retrieved February 08, 2024

8. Billboard 10 Jul 1999, Retrieved February 08, 2024

9. Record Label Website Dorado.net

10. ‘A Brief History of iTunes’ BBC News 4th June 2019

11. Cities of Foam at Apple Music

12. 2004 UK iTunes Charts Archive

13. Natalie Walker at Discogs

14. "Mouchette". At Discogs Retrieved February 08, 2024

15. Natalie Walker at Apple TV Retrieved February 08, 2024

16. Brooklyn Funk Essentials at Discogs h

17. Jhelisa at Apple Music

18. Dorado Records at Independent Music Insider