Emergency Records

Founded in early 1979 by Italian pioneer club & radio DJ Sergio Cossa (who was also an author and producer), Emergency Records was an independent US label which helped to commercialize the late 70s and early 80s Italian disco sound of artists like La Bionda, Pino Presti, I.C. Bell and Easy Going amongst others. These releases were introducing more electronic instruments such as computers and synthesizers into their compositions, and with the inclusion of a big bass groove and a disco tempo these late disco tunes were very popular on the gay scene. Between 1980 and 1982 the label became more widely known with productions that mixed late disco emotions and heavy funky rhythms. These sounds became the "Emergency Sound". However, a lot of fans discovered the label via Kano's self titled LP, and in particular via the track "It's A War" which was at the time was very different from the majority of releases in the same genre. In Europe, it was perhaps the group Firefly (2) with their track "Love (Is Gonna Be On Your Side)" that attracted most people to the label. The release was also a huge underground hit in the clubs. The label also offered Tee Scott the opportunity to present the label with some examples of his best remixes for artists like North End and for labels like Elektra. As with many other independent labels of the day, 1983 saw the label expanding its talent pool to discover potential hits. Early electro tracks from groups such as C.O.D and - of course - Shannon were signed or licensed to the label. The international success of "Let The Music Play" allowed Emergency to continue their story until 1988. By this time the majority of the productions were of a more European dance music sound. Apart from early garage titles by the likes of Carolyn Harding and the commercial success of P4F and Taffy, the label's sales began to steadily decline. By 1987 the label was forced to strike a distribution deal with Profile Records and from there until the label shut its doors the following year for many fans the label's ''magic'' had disappeared. Despite this sad ending the label offers many classics in its back catalog and has become popular with collectors. Label Code: LC 6655