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TCR Records
London based TCR is acknowledged as the pioneering label for the much touted 'Nu Skool Breakz' scene. Set up by Rennie Pilgrem its purpose was to provide a solo output outside his membership of the much respected Rhythm Section.
In operation since 1993 TCR emerged from the dying embers of the UK hardcore breakbeat scene which had disappeared up it's own arse after 4 groundbreaking years. While hardcore split into "Happy Hardcore" (the less said about that the better) and jungle, TCR took the speed back to house tempo and kicked things off with 'Rock Da House' by Thursday Club.
After a few releases that were basically house with the odd break sneaking in, it was a trip to Florida in '94 that opened Rennie's ears to a world of breaks mixed with electro and acid and house. Since 1994 breaks have formed the backbone to the label with 1995's 'A Place Called Acid' being a Worldwide underground hit with sales of 15,000.
TCR is now recognized as one of the scene's most respected and loved labels. With a roster that includes such heavyweights as Rennie Pilgrem, B.L.I.M., Koma&Bones, Chris Carter, 2Sinners, Breakneck, Vigi, JDS, General Midi and Arthur Baker, TCR continues to go from strength to strength.
The fact that 2003 saw the 10 year anniversary of TCR is testament to this.
www.tcr.uk.com
Rennie Pilgrem
Son of a jazz trumpeter, Rennie started life playing tenor saxophone and sitting with his Father's various bands around Southern England. Later after getting heavily into 'black' music he formed various funk bands playing sax and keyboards. Rennie's musical infatuation took a big twist when he heard the sounds coming out of Detroit in the late '80s. After making rudimentary House music on the wrong kind of drum machines with soon to be Rhythm Section members Ellis Dee, Richard Thake and Nick Newton Scott, they had interest from (amongst others) the new British house label Guerrilla. Preferring to release their own material they form Rhythm Section Recordings and became part of the wave of breakbeat house that went on to become known as Hardcore in the early 90's.
Their third release 'Comin' On Strong' was a anthem and would have charted top 40 if they'd known about bar codes on records. With Ellis Dee the crowned king of rave Djs, Rhythm Section played at pretty much every main party between '90-'92. On the same bill as The Prodigy, Moby, Altern 8, Shades Of Rhythm and Bizzare Inc. Their music was very big with pretty much every major DJ at the time, Fabio, Grooverider, Ray Keith, Carl Cox etc.
As the drugs sped up, so did the music. When the bpms reached a ridiculous 150, Rhythm Section decided to call it a day and separately went back to making music at House tempo.
In 1993 Rennie founded Thursday Club Recordings (TCR) as a medium for putting out his own material. His first few releases were funky house with a smattering of breaks lurking in the background. Recording now as 'Thursday Club' he had a big tune with 'Thursday Theme' which was chased by Virgin.
A chance PA in Florida was another turning point in 1994. Hearing a thriving breaks scene at its original tempo galvanized Rennie into going back to pure breaks.
'A Place Called Acid' (1995) was one of the biggest breakbeat tunes around. With his pedigree as a member of the legendary Rhythm Section in the rave days. Rennie's remixing skills are much in demand. He also set up 'Friction' with Adam Freeland, Tayo and Ian Williams which pretty much kick-started the whole 'Nu Skool' scene. He also coined the term 'Nu Skool' along with his fellow Friction partners as a way of describing their music.
He's released records on Whole9yards, City Of Angels, Chrysalis/EMI, Mob and China Records to name but a few. He's collaborated with many top producers including legend Arthur Baker (on 'Like No Other', 'Hey Funky People' and 'Face It'), BLIM (on that massive 'Eskimo' track and now the equally huge '2Freaks') and with Meat Katie (on 'Rubba' and 'Atmosphere'). Following on from the huge 'Black Widow' Rennie also decided it was time to go back into the studio with Uberzone and their follow-up 'Cous Cous' received support from the likes of everyone from the Plump DJ's to Pete Tong and Stanton Warriors!
He continues to DJ all over the world and wow audiences with his dancefloor-friendly funk-infused breaks sets. He is resident at Rome's premier night, Agatha and has recently re-launched his clubnight called 'Hum' with Meat Katie which takes place in at The Fortress in London.
Last year he was voted 'Most Valuable Person' in breaks at the Breakspoll Awards in London.
Rennie released a mix album on Perfecto 'Perfecto Breaks' which received huge support across the board and his latest remix, of Ferry Corstens 'Rock Your Body Rock' is getting caned by all the top jocks. Currently he is working on his artist album for TCR (due out Sept 2004) aswell as new collaborations with the likes of Lee Coombs and is set to mix the next in the 'Y4K' seriesEand ofcourse he continues to be chairman of the local 'Dwarf-Hurling' association.
2003 saw his label TCR reach its 10 year anniversary - an incredible feat for any independent label.
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