Draft:Dorado Records

Dorado Records is a British independent record label based in London. Initially pioneering the Acid Jazz and Trip hop music movement of the early 1990s, notable current and past artists signed to the label include D*Note, Jhelisa, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Natalie Walker, Beth Hirsh and Outside.[1]

History
Dorado Records was founded in 1992 by music executive Ollie Buckwell in Soho, London[2] [3].

Initially focusing on experimental jazz artist signings, in 1995 Dorado branched into electronic dance adding artists Sunship and DJ Q to the label’s roster [4] [5].

In 1999 Dorado signed Beth Hirsh, following her successful collaboration with Air on “Moon Safari” and subsequent return to London[6]. Dorado released her second solo EP “P-Town Rubies” on 14th September 1999[7]. At the time, Hirsh described Dorado to Billboard Magazine as ''“An anti-label, label. Every artist they work with they believe in. They promote their artists with a lot of integrity.”'' [8]

Dorado pioneered the use of early online music technology, offering their catalogue streamed in full in 1998[9]. In 2003 Dorado was one of the first independent labels to license their catalogue to iTunes[10].

In 2004, Dorado opened a US office in Miami, and released the debut album from Cities Of Foam A Great Day For The Race in 2005[11]. The track “Without You” was spotlighted on iTunes as UK single of the week[12]. In 2006, Dorado released the first of four albums from US artist Natalie Walker, Urban Angel, followed by With You, Spark (2011) and Strange Bird'' (2015) [13]. These records received wide critical and commercial success, with a Thievery Corporation remix of the track "Quicksand" featuring in the Sofia Coppola film Marie Antoinette [14], and “Waking Dream  appearing in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy''. [15]

In 2015, Dorado reunited with Brooklyn Funk Essentials releasing their fifth and most successful selling album Funk Aint Ova'' on November 13th followed by “Stay Good” in 2019 [16]. In 2021 Dorado released Jhelisa’s album ‘7 Keys V.2[17].

As of 2024, Dorado continues to be based in both Miami and London[18].

Notable Artist Roster (Past and Present)
·       Anita Kelsey

·       Brooklyn Funk Essentials

·       Natalie Walker

·       Jhelisa

·       Beth Hirsh

·       D*Note

·       Outside (Matt Cooper)

·       Moke

·       Sunship

·       DJ Q

·       Dana Bryant

·       The Amalgamation Of Soundz