Records

Founded by Ged Parker in 2021 GLAMP RD Records was established to bring both collectors and connoisseurs music in their preferred format, that of the traditional 45rpm vinyl record.  The passion to discover this music and introduce it to a wider audience is not uncommon, particularly amongst DJ’s within the rare soul scene.  The hunt for original 45’s from the heyday of soul music in the 60’s and 70’s has become increasing difficult.  The focus has therefore switched to unearthing either contemporary or older recordings that were either crowded out by the wealth of output recorded at the time or for whatever reason never made an appearance on vinyl.

In recent years this has led to a plethora of new imprints and countless quality 45’s that have refreshed playlists and brought the recognition writers and performing artists deserve.  We at GLAMP RD acknowledge we have entered a burgeoning market and as such aim to both create and satisfy demand once it is established.  Our first and planned subsequent releases come on the back of requests from attendees at events all over the country.  True to the ethos of the rare soul fraternity the numbers pressed of each release will be limited and all fully licensed from the rights owners. 

Why GLAMP RD? Simply put it’s a family thing.  It follows a tradition that goes way back to the sixties by using elements of the names of close family to build a moniker that is unique and original. 

As for the catalogue number of our first release GAP 9320?  Well, if you know, you know.  

In an environment that is increasingly flooded with ‘bootleg’ and ‘counterfeit’ recordings it’s a matter of principle that we see that recognition and financial rewards land squarely with the creative talent.  It is they that produced music of a quality that dancers want to hear and DJ’s want to include in their sets.   We want to ensure music of this quality gets the appreciation it deserves; however, we also want to satisfy demand from the DJ’s these releases are designed fulfil.  Balancing the desire for exposure with the need to maintain the exclusivity that a scene built on rarity requires it a difficult task.

There are essentially two ways to fulfil this brief, you either charge a lot for the 45’s or limit the numbers available.  We have chosen that latter as an approach.  Will these records appreciate in value over time?  Its hard to know, we just hope that they are valued by those who want to own them and enjoyed by audiences and dancers who get to hear them in venues.

After-all that’s what we; as a record label; exist for.

Thanks should go to a supportive family and those fellow DJ’s, record collectors and soul aficionados that encouraged (nay badgered 😊 ) us to set this label up.

Artwork

Like many people during the covid pandemic Ged Parker looked for ways to occupy time which would usually be spent either at work, socialising or DJing at soul events throughout the U.K.  Ged has historically taken an interest in art and design and with a deep interest in soul music. The ready availability of technology that allows digital drawing opened the possibility of combining both interests.  Ged then embarked on creating portraits of his favourite singers and imagining them against backgrounds or in situations that would resonate with fellow fans of their music.

Having shared some of the resulting pictures on social media there came a number of requests for copies.  The sharing of jpegs soon saw these early attempts being used beyond where they had been circulated.  In one case his creation found its way onto memorabilia sold via an online marketplace, effectively bootlegged if you will.  Having resolved that issue Ged decided to limit the circulation of his creative work and to only sell / gift physical copies that were protected with tamper-proof holograms.