REVIEW: Heavenly Recordings – Believe In Magic

REVIEW: Heavenly Recordings – Believe In Magic

Charming and intriguing, Heavenly Records, the independent record label that emerged in the early 90’s has now been going strong for 30 plus years. Founded by the spring haired Jeff Barrett he has helped introduce many an iconic band to the throngs of adoring followers including the likes of Flowered Up, Manic Street Preachers, Saint Etienne, Northern Uproar, The Magic Numbers, Ed Harcourt, Beth Orton, Cherry Ghost, Dr Robert, Edwyn Collins plus in the current batch on the label including Boy Azooga, The Orielles and Baxter Dury. All mixed together you can see a similar trait of fantastic guitar pop bands with an edge on their shoulders, concocted together with some eye catching designs Heavenly Records certainly are a stand out label amongst the many labels limbering for the limelight.

To help celebrate the 30 year anniversary Heavenly Records one of their own Robin Turner has pulled together a masterstroke in publishing with a heavyweight book entitled Believe In Magic. The book is a multicoloured celebration which includes colourful anecdotes from many that were there and saw the magic as it happened, including insightful contributions from James Dean Bradfield, Doves and Beth Orton plus there are enough posters, tour passes, badges and t shirts to fill its pages, which is exactly what they’ve done.

With the likes of other independent label like Factory and Creation already receiving eons of coverage it is time for Heavenly to receive some exposure and the book is a perfect recipe for success. The eye catching part of the book is the flurry of designs that are dotted about the book, they almost resemble a pop art mod fashion with their striking colours, cartoon chickens plus tales of nights out at their Heavenly nightclubs, Turner was there and seemingly saw it all in plentiful. There are a couple of sad entries, one telling the tale of Flowered Up plus at the end of the book coming together one of their won Andrew Weatherall passed away, with Jeff dedicated a double page spread to the legendary DJ.

Believe in Magic, it appears all involved with the label now and then do indeed believe in the wave of a wand and rabbits appearing out of hats plus musicians being able to create experiences seemingly not of this world, rather things out of this world.

Believe In Magic can be purchased via the following link