DISTURBING THE COMFORTABLE,
COMFORTING THE DISTURBED
On-U Sound is an iconic independent label with a treasure trove of remarkable music, that sits in a unique position historically as a junction point between the heavy influence of Jamaican music on UK culture and the development of disparate sounds such as post-punk, industrial, jungle, dubstep and beyond. Active for over 40 years, it has survived and thrived to garner a committed cult following around the world.
The label emerged from a fertile DIY scene that birthed contemporary imprints such as Rough Trade, 4AD and Factory. Since 1981, with label boss and producer Adrian Sherwood at the helm, On-U Sound has released over 150 albums and singles, and launched the careers of countless artists.
As a producer, Adrian has worked with The Slits, Cabaret Voltaire, Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, The Fall, Sinead O’Connor and more. His remix credits include Depeche Mode, Blur, Primal Scream and Air. Massively respected by other musicians, he has been acknowledged as an influence by the likes of Andrew Weatherall, Carl Craig, Mala, The Bug, Dubfire and many more.
Key On-U Sound artists include Dub Syndicate, African Head Charge, New Age Steppers, Singers and Players, Tackhead and Bim Sherman. In recent years, remarkable new albums by the likes of Lee "Scratch" Perry, Horace Andy and Creation Rebel have received a huge amount of critical acclaim. As a remixer, Sherwood has continued to be much in demand, crafting entire dub versions of albums by Spoon (Lucifer On The Sofa) and Panda Bear & Sonic Boom (Reset In Dub), and even lending his dubwise skills to massive pop artists such as Halsey. All of these activities have helped forge a space for label and producer in the contemporary landscape.
With the debut of his 3D live dub show in 2023 and continuing experiments in the possibilities of spatial audio, plus an ongoing series of lovingly put together new editions of classics from a rich back catalogue, both Adrian Sherwood and On-U Sound continue to "disturb the comfortable, comfort the disturbed".