#BLEEP RECORDS FULL#
#BLEEP RECORDS PLUS#
#BLEEP RECORDS FREE#

Initially inspired by ‘The Theme’ (which they tried unsuccessfully to license), Sheffield-based Warp quickly became the crucial label. “Bleep” referred to the electro-style pocket-calculator synth-motifs “bass” nodded to the floor-quaking sub-low frequencies. “Bleep ‘n’ bass” was an alternative name for the wave of North of England techno that followed Unique 3. From bleep to 2step, jungle to grime, this country would host mutations that for various reasons were unable to hatch in the more purist and protectionist U.S. In a paradox that would endure and intensify throughout the subsequent evolution of rave, what made it “British” was its incorporation of ideas and “vibe” from Jamaica and Black America. But in 1989, a track called ‘The Theme’, produced by Unique 3 – a Bradford-based crew of B-boys turned ravers – announced the arrival of a fresh UK sound merging Chicago acid with elements from hip-hop and reggae.

#BLEEP RECORDS PLUS#

In 1988-89, DJs had several years backlog of house classics to spin, plus fresh imports from Chicago, Detroit and New York each week the homegrown tracks, mostly inferior imitations, just couldn’t compete. Rave had started out as that strange thing, a subculture based almost entirely around import records.

It was the first uniquely British twist on house and techno.

#BLEEP RECORDS FULL#

This has resulted in Bleep being not only a download store, but a full mail order retail service.Įntire tracks and albums can be previewed prior to purchase.Ī large catalogue of rare titles has been acquired from many small labels from all over the world.Bleep lives right at the heartcore of Energy Flash, my history of rave culture. In November 2008, Bleep merged with Warpmart, which had been Warp's store for physical releases.

#BLEEP RECORDS FREE#

īleep provides music encoded as MP3 files, FLAC files, or WAV files, all of which are free of digital rights management (DRM) technology in addition to vinyl and cassette records. In 2006, Bleep passed the million downloads threshold and in October of that year won the UK Digital Music Award for 'Best Music Store'. The website quickly expanded its catalogue to include releases on other labels, gaining enough popularity to receive nomination for a Webby Award in the music category on alongside iTunes, Beatport, Live365 and musicplasma. Throughout the years Bleep has also developed a curatorial side in addition to its retail one via the monthly NTS shows, podcast and mix series, weekly roundups of recommended new music featuring the Album Of The Week, stage presence at festivals and more.Ī screenshot of Bleep at the time of its launch in January 2004īleep was launched initially on 14 January 2004 as a download store for releases on Warp Records. Since its launch, the range of music offered by Bleep has grown and now provides music from independent labels, including Rough Trade, Domino, 4AD, One Little Indian, XL Recordings, Ninja Tune, Stones Throw, Hyperdub, Planet Mu, Big Dada, and Tempa. They also sell DVDs, clothing, and other merchandise from a variety of labels and designers. All music they sell is free of digital rights management (DRM) technologies. Created by Warp Records and launched in January 2004, Bleep offers single tracks and whole albums as both digital and physical purchases, the latter including vinyl records, compact cassettes and CDs. JSTOR ( July 2016) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)īleep is an online independent record shop that mainly showcases music from independent artists and labels.

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.

Bleep records