Enabled Nirvana, Mudhoney et al to tear down the cock-rock edifice. Still ruling, despite “going out of business since 1988”. Photograph: PR
From post-punk to Madchester, issued many of the finest (and best-designed) records this country has ever produced. Photograph: PR
LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, EPMD – Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons’s label took hip-hop global, then signed Slayer. Dudes. Photograph: PR
Motown was a hit-making machine but Stax was the label that embodied the spirit of soul music, breaking down racial barriers. Photograph: PR
Run by a radge Scotsman, specialising in indie music with bollocks: MBV, Ride, Primal Scream, Sugar… oh yeah, and Oasis. Photograph: PR
The Ferrari of techno labels, and not just because of the logo. The strongest thing to come out of Belgium since Trappist ale. Photograph: PR
The Smiths’ label was the original indie, founded on collectivist principles while putting out some epochal music in the process. Photograph: PR
Forged from pure Sheffield steel, the home of wonky British electronica and bloopy techno since 1989. Now blessed by Eno. Photograph: PR
Created its own ethereal utopia inhabited by Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance – then got the Pixies to shout it down. Photograph: PR
The label that brought reggae to the UK, its coolness only slightly marred by later signing of U2. Also birthed maverick offshoot ZTT. Photograph: PR
