Robi Insinna records a.k.a. Headman and Manhead was at the forefront of the nu disco movement alongside contemporaries DFA Records, Output Recordings and Kitsune. His highly acclaimed debut album ‘It Rough’ was released in 2003, followed in 2006 by ‘On’ (featuring collaborations with Stephen Dewaele of Soulwax and Matt Safer of The Rapture) and ‘Catch Me’ in 2008.
In 2001 Insinna set up his own imprint, Relish Records. The label first functioned as the home to the Manhead alter ego, whose sound predated the current Balearic revival by years. Over the years the sound stayed on that tip, while expanding to show Robi’s diverse taste.
First signing was Dutch duo David Gilmour Girls who bring an unlikely combination of raw disco, krautrock and progrock. The pairing between Relish and DGG proved to be a lasting relation: they released 4 singles and one full length album – ‘Vultures’ in 2007. Another duo has also been a household name in the Relish catalouge. Italy’s Franz & Shape released several singles and one full album of their dark electro sound on the label. The label’s profile was broadened further by acts like Nemesi and Canadian punk discorap wunderkind Don Cash.
Robi’s scouting has proved to be a quality stamp in other ways too – being the first to release singles from Australian rave monsters Riot in Belgium (La Musique) and Frenchman Yuksek. Both have been later quickly picked up by labels like Kitsuné. Signings over the years include C90s, JR Seaton and Tape To Tape. But not only new acts had been released through Relish Records, legendary artists like Ex-Liquid Liquid Dennis Young and A Certain Ratio had been given the opportunity to put out new material. And underground synth-pop cult heroes The Units from San Francisco had their “High Pressure Days” from 1979 re-released on Relish in 2009.
In 2010 the label is still going strong – finally Headman himself released his fourth album on Relish Records: ‘1923’ is a truly astonishing album that features guest appearances by Katrina Noorbergen, Steve Mason (Ex-Beta Band) and the one and only Dieter Meyer of Yello and is a new high watermark for Robi’s talents.
As always with Relish, the artwork will continue to play an important role in the aesthetic of the label, so be on the lookout for some amazing covers and special limited edition shirts.
