Believe in Magic: 30 Years of Heavenly Recordings

by Robin Turner

'Heavenly is more than a record label, it's the absolute nectar of all that's brilliant in the culture of these island. I love the shit out of them and everything they stand for.' Irvine Welsh

BELIEVE IN MAGIC tells the story of Heavenly Recordings in thirty vignettes, photography and ephemera, all of which relate to landmark records, moments and characters in the label's first three decades.

A label responsible for creating satellite communities of fans around the world and at all the major festivals, Heavenly was set up by Jeff Barrett in 1990 after several years working for Factory and Creation as the acid house revolution was in full swing; early releases set the tone and tempo for the mood of the decade to come - their first single was produced by perhaps the most revered acid house DJ of them all, Andrew Weatherall; and this was quickly followed by era-defining singles from Saint Etienne, Flowered Up and Manic Street Preachers, music which perhaps captures the flavour of the early '90s better than any other.

Heavenly was always tuned to an aesthetic that was sensitive to the anarchic spirt of the times; defiantly eclectic with a radar set to taste and a never-ending commitment to discovering new talent. In 1994 they set up The Heavenly Sunday Social, which became one of the most influential and mythologised clubs in recent British history, where the Chemical Brothers - then the Dust Brothers - made their name. For thirteen weeks, it was the hottest nightclub on the planet. For 180 demented acolytes in a basement room below the Albany pub.

Over nearly 200 releases in thirty years Heavenly have consistently produced some of the most exciting music across all genres, and this book collects rare artwork and wild anecdotal evidence into a celebration of a label that is one of the most beloved institutions on the independent landscape.

BELIEVE IN MAGIC includes contributions from Manic Street Preachers, Beth Orton, Doves, Don Letts, Edwyn Collins, Confidence Man, Mark Lanegan, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard.

Genres: Music

320 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2021

Reviews

[Olive Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I'm the first Goodreads reviewer? What an honour. This book is a jubilant reminder of everything and everyone I've missed this past year - it frequently brought tears to my eyes because I wish more than anything that I could be dancing the night away again. The photos, the stories, the music has changed the lives of so many people - we all have our own treasured memories associated with these bands and venues. I often found I had stopped reading because I was daydreaming of a long-gone afterparty. Can I say anything else but Heavenly forever!

[Mat Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of record labels is as much about documenting our own changing tastes and preferences as it is about documenting who sold what to whom as when and in what quantities.

The belief in the power of the perfect pop song and the eternal struggle to bring it to the masses is what separates decent labels from great ones. Heavenly Records is a great label and this handsome, beautifully curated and illustrated book is a wonderful and heartwarming tribute to its genius.

This is not a fully exhaustive history of this most idiosyncratic of labels; rather it focussed on 30 of its most notable releases and gives decent and appropriate coverage to the brilliant people involved behind the scenes: in PR, distribution, A&R and general dogsboddying. As a result, the book evokes mood, atmosphere and context in abundance. The book is also packed full of characters and artists that you root for and want to succeed, especially given the challenges of a rapidly changing industry.

This is a superb book and if you don’t come out of it hunting down its many and varied treasures then, quite frankly, you’ve not been paying attention well enough. Fabulous.

[Gary Fowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, loving look back at one of the great British indie labels and the people that kept the party going. Robin Turner has served his time at Heavenly (twice), and as such has access to pretty much everyone you would want to tell the label's story. Cherry picking his way through key releases, the story is told by the bands as well as label head, Jeff Barrett. A wealth of gorgeous photos, a map of Heavenly's London and a Saint Etienne 7" sweeten the deal making this a bit of a must for anyone that danced their way through the nineties and noughties.

[Russell Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the Heavenly Recordings label and the life and times of those involved. It simultaneously makes you want to have worked their and also wonder how they ever achieved anything at all.

[Kieran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avoid the squares, read this book.