20 years… In any business this is a huge milestone, but in an industry as challenging and fast-moving as the record label game, it deserves a salute so hard your arm might fall off.
Props to Andy C’s Ram, then. From its roots as a mercenary banger factory Ram has developed into a platform that actively encourages fresh talent and nurtures and develops them into artists capable of releasing crossover albums and productions that stand the test of time. We thought we’d give Andy a very quick call…
“I’m not the only cog in the wheel that is Ram Records,” he points out. “Scott [Red One] runs it and there’s a huge team of hard working people with us. The brand’s developed with the tunes and the times and the people. Ant Miles, Shimon, Moving Fusion…. Red One has taken the business side of things by the horns. Pun intended! It’s grown organically and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve done. We made the decision to sign people for albums. We knew drum & bass could be better than just 12”s. Records are great but drum & bass is incredibly hard music to make well. The people behind it are incredibly talented. And they need to explore their ideas.”
Here’s to another 20 years of idea exploration and artist development. The label celebrates their double-decade anniversary this very week so we decided to put together an essential 20-strong playlist with a Ram track from every year. With an average of at least 10 releases a year, this wasn’t an easy task. Some fans have been there from the very beginning, others weren’t even born when Andy first released his Sour Mash EP… Hopefully this list will please everyone. Have we missed out your favourite? There’s a comment box below. You know what to do!
1992
Andy C – Outer Limits
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=socgLH4MTV0
1993
Andy C – Something New Part 1
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfhfMERZe1A
1994
Shimon – Predator
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obXr5rkYOFw
1995
Origin Unknown – Truly One
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9V_DW6ZgUE
1996
Shimon & Andy C – Nightflight
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdX2Qvc_inU
1997
Moving Fusion – Turbulence
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W59GqglGDZE
1998
Ram Trilogy – Chase Scene
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw1o8m3OtSQ
1999
Red One – Strangled Duck
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOJ81FacreU
2000
Moving Fusion – Atlantis
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xirwzYpukog
2001
Bad Company – Spacehopper
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3keWg5D0yI
2002
Ram Trilogy – Huggy Bear
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZb0gw0HUCc
2003
Fresh – Signal
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDM8shYzXNg
2004
Origin Unknown – Grudge Match
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvRvYw3R9Hg
2005
Sub Focus – Scarecrow
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiTuOAHwQHc
2006
Noisia – Facade
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z221DfQs7MY
2007
Chase & Status – Dumpling Riddim
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocR0jRvl3Pk
2008
Chase & Status – Take Me Away
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHlUOiUSiQA
2009
Sub Focus – Rock It
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdJgwf-_HGY
2010
Loadstar – Link To The Past
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyv6hBmCgDE
2011
Fresh – Mission To Mars
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGsOqs-skZY
2012
Wilkinson – Automatic
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpJxl3HQt70