FFRR Records

"FFRR" redirects here. For the "Full Frequency Range Recording" technique, see FFRR technique.

FFRR Records
Parent companyLondon Recordings (1986-2002)
Warner Music Group (2013-present; branding and post-2011 catalogue)
Founded1986 (original)
2011 (current)[1]
FounderPete Tong
StatusActive
Distributor(s)Virgin Music (1986-2002 catalogue)
Parlophone Records
(in the UK)
Warner Records
(in the US)
Warner Music Group
(outside the UK and the US)
GenreDance
Country of originUnited Kingdom
LocationLondon
Official websitehttp://www.ffrrecords.com

FFRR Records (sometimes credited as Full Frequency Range Recordings) is a dance music label founded as a subsidiary of London Records in 1986, with A&R run by the British DJ Pete Tong.[2] Originally a part of London Records' label roster, FFRR is currently a sublabel of Parlophone, a division of Warner Music Group. Its activities were mostly halted in the early 2000s, until the label was revived in 2011. Its catalog was sold off in 2017, but the label was revived a second time in 2021, this time with a new identity.

The original incarnation of FFRR was founded in 1986, and also had two subsidiaries: Double F Double R Records and Ffrreedom Records.[2] The first singles from the label were UK releases of three Run-DMC singles in 1986,[3] but the tone for the label's initial run was set by their A&R man Pete Tong's project, the compilation "The House Sound of Chicago III", which saw the comp series move from London Records.

Early artist releases on the label reflected the Dance genre, which then included Hip-Hop, blending together the 80s pop of Bananarama and Sabrina with US hip-hop and hip-house groups like Salt n' Pepa and Ultramagnetic MCs. Alongside these mostly singles-releases, a string of genre-defining compilations showcasing scenes like Chicago house music[4] and the Baleraric[5] sounds from Ibiza's dancefloors. As the label's profile grew, its label-branded compilations (with the iconic ear logo on the cover) became more notable – The Silver on Black (1989),[6] Gold on Black (1990)[7] and Platinum on Black (1993)[8] showcased the wide roster of the label, and describe how it changed over time.

Orbital are probably the most notable artists that started on the label. FFRR released their records, from their eponymous debut album in 1991, to 2001's The Altogether, and the singles around and between them.

  1. ^ "Pete Tong Teams With Warner U.K. To Relaunch FFRR Label". Billboard. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 118. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
  3. ^ "FFRR". Discogs. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  4. ^ Various – The House Sound of Chicago – Vol. III – Acid Tracks, 1987, retrieved 19 June 2023
  5. ^ Various – Balearic Beats (The Album Vol 1), 19 September 1988, retrieved 19 June 2023
  6. ^ Various – FFRR – Silver on Black, 1989, retrieved 19 June 2023
  7. ^ Various – FFRR – Gold On Black 1990, 1990, retrieved 19 June 2023
  8. ^ Various – Platinum on Black, 1993, retrieved 19 June 2023