Djax Records was founded by Saskia Slegers (Miss Djax) in 1989. Having worked in a record shop for many years, Saskia met a large number of promising artists whose music never got released because, according to the Dutch record-companies, it was 'not commercial' enough. At that point she decided that the time was right to start her own label. The first release on Djax Records was a complete album by the Eindhoven based hardcore rap band 24K (No Enemies, 1989). Only a few months later the first 12" of Terrace (916 Buena Avenue, 1990), who also lives in Eindhoven, was released on a new division of Djax: Djax-Up-Beats was born......
At least half of the releases on Djax-Up-Beats are from artists hailing from Chicago. This special contact between Saskia and Chicago has existed since the very beginning. As a techno/acid deejay Saskia kept up with all the stuff from Chicago, so it was logical that the Chicago style would fit perfectly on Djax-Up-Beats. In 1991 Saskia went to Chicago and Detroit to meet her favourite producers in person and to see with her own eyes were it all had started. In Chicago she visited the famous Warehouse club with Armando, went to Trax Records & DanceMania etc. while in Detroit she hang out with Carl Craig and Mad Mike. It was a great experience and after two weeks she went back home with a bag full of acid and techno tracks from producers like K-Alexi, Felix Da Housecat and Paul Johnson. Djax-Up-Beats became the first European platform for the producers from Chicago: a bunch of new talent like Mike Dearborn and DJ Skull as well as the old skool heroes like Steve Poindexter and DJ Rush, all got signed to Djax. But not only artists from Chicago found their way to Eindhoven. From all over the world new fresh talent got picked up by Saskia: Luke Slater and Steve Stoll and not to forget many Dutch producers like Random XS and Like A Tim. Still today these records can be found in the record boxes of many of the world's top techno deejays!
Stay Connected,
Covert Records
www.covert.uk.com