What is Batov Records?

I've been getting some cool digital promos from this label for a little while now, and they consistently drop great music, plus they make lots of 45s, what's not to like. I thought I'd do a bit of digging on the label and who's behind it.

Batov Records describes itself like this: "Batov Records boasts a refreshing blend of artists from around the world. The roster ranges from Global Funk to World Beats and Middle-Eastern Grooves.

"Batov came to life in London, but the music has its roots in those odd corners of the globe where people make music just for the fun of it.

"Back in the heady summer days of 2013, Doron Erez aka DJ Kobayashi (of the band Gypsy Hill) & Bob Martyn started up Batov as simply a place to call home for Gypsy Hill’s catalog. 

"Around the same time, Herbert Newbert (Gypsy Hill co-founder) & Kobayashi set up a recording studio & production team – Down & Left was born. Slowly the Batov Records sound came together with this early batch of artists, focusing on Global Funk to World Beats and Middle-Eastern Grooves."

DJ Kobayashi

The label originally started as a way to release Gypsy Hill's music. Kobayashi told interviewer Tzvi Gluckin:

"It was another way to create an online illusion [laughs], as if there was a label behind the band. But it developed into something that is bigger than we thought, and we are very happy about that. Everything I do, I try to do to the best way that I can. Once I am doing it, I think, 'OK. We’ll make a logo. We’ll make a website.' We had a recording studio on Denmark Street in London, and we had a lot of friends and musicians passing through. 

"What happened was that it basically created interest in the label from other people who liked what we were doing. It grew organically, and the offers started to come from everywhere. When you’re in London, it feels like a small village. Suddenly, you get people sending emails from New Zealand or the States, from people who really like the label and want to be a part of it. We thought, 'Oh man, it’s actually making an impact.'"

Read the full interview at The Ingathering. His dad was in Eurovision Song Contest in 1978. The interview also explains how he ended up with a Japanese DJ name. Apparently he wanted to DJ as a kid, and started when he was about 12.

Over the past 3 or 4 years the label has had a steady stream of 45s and has pulled them together on a great compilation called Middle Eastern Grooves (out May 19), coming on on 2xLP vinyl and digital. 

One of my faves on the label is a group from Tel Aviv called Sababa 5, who have done some cool collabs with a singer named Yurika, a Japanese woman who arrived in the Middle East after becoming fascinated by belly dancing. Their version of the Moog classic 'Popcorn' is pretty great too. Have a listen and see what you find.

 

 

 

 

 

Listen to Batov Records on Bandcamp