Brighton’s dance music scene has a new label. Soul Damn Funky — the collective that has been running club nights, radio shows and compilation releases for more than 16 years — is stepping into music publishing with the launch of Soul Damn Funky Records this July.
It is a significant move for a brand that has quietly become one of the most consistent presences in Brighton’s underground dance music circuit. House, soul, funk and electronic music fans across Sussex will know the name. Now it has a label to match the reputation.
The first release comes from Milton Keynes producer Barrie Hayes, marking the opening chapter of what the team behind SDF hopes will become a genuine platform for both emerging and established artists. That first release is a statement of intent — the label is not limiting itself to local talent but positioning itself as a destination for artists across the UK.
Alongside the label launch, Soul Damn Funky has a brand-new vinyl EP scheduled for release on Bassline Records, also in July. Two releases in the same month signals that this is not a tentative step. The collective is moving with momentum.
The label’s arrival adds another independent to a city that consistently punches above its weight in the UK music industry. Brighton has long nurtured grassroots promoters, independent venues and artists who go on to find national and international audiences. Soul Damn Funky Records fits naturally into that ecosystem — built by people who have spent the better part of two decades booking acts, broadcasting sets and building an audience the old-fashioned way.
The timing is well chosen. Brighton’s summer events season is already under way and the city’s music calendar is filling up quickly. A new independent label launching into that environment — with an existing fanbase, established broadcaster relationships and 16 years of community credibility behind it — is well positioned to make an impact from day one.
Soul Damn Funky Records launches this July. For the full picture of what is happening in Brighton’s live music scene this summer, including gigs, club nights and festivals, keep an eye on Brighton Journal’s regularly updated arts and culture guides.
