Daptone Records


Daptone Records is a funk and soul independent record label based in Brooklyn, New York that is known for Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and Charles Bradley.

History

In 2001, Bosco Mann and Neal Sugarman formed Daptone Records. Mann had previously run the now defunct Desco record label.
The core beginning of the Daptone Records sound began as The Dap-Kings, who in collaboration with Mark Ronson, backed Amy Winehouse on her hit record, Back to Black, which was partially recorded at the Daptone recording studio. In 2007, the Dap-Kings toured with Winehouse.
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings features Sharon Jones on vocals, Bosco Mann on electric bass, Binky Griptite on guitar, Tommy 'TNT' Brenneck on guitar, Fernando 'Bugaloo' Velez on percussion, Homer Steinweiss on drums, David Guy on trumpet, Neal Sugarman on tenor sax, and Ian Hendrixson-Smith on baritone sax.
The Sugarman 3 features Neal Sugarman, saxophone; Adam Scone, Hammond organ; Al Street, guitar; Rudy Albin, drums; Dave Guy, trumpet. Soul singer Lee Fields often sings with the Sugarman 3, and Daisy Sugarman plays flute.
In addition to Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Daptone has recorded and released the music of Antibalas, The Sugarman 3, The Budos Band, The Poets of Rhythm, The Mystery Lights, The Daktaris, The Mighty Imperials, Lee Fields, Charles Bradley, Binky Griptite, and Naomi Davis.
The Daptone Record label is inexorably tied to Sharon Jones. The label and members of her band were with her during the last weeks before her death.

Brooklyn studios

Daptone built their studio, called Daptone's House of Soul in a converted two-family home in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. It was very run down when they first rented it, and the neighborhood was not great. Daptone Records has its offices in the top floor, the studio is on the ground floor. The label built the studio from scratch, and made the decision to not have computers, but to rely completely on the more old-fashioned analog recording methods to make music. There are tape machines and a CD recorder, but no Pro Tools or digital reverbs.
The studio is where they have recorded most of their releases. Their distinctive sound is a product of the studio acoustics, recording only on analog tape, and mixing done by Roth. The recording studio and engineering personnel have been sought out by record producers such as Mark Ronson.
In February 2009, Daptone's House of Soul was broken into and thieves made off with the better part of its equipment.

Artists

ArtistTitleCatalog NumberRelease date
Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsDap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-KingsDAP-0012002
Sugarman Three & Co.Pure Cane SugarDAP-0022002
The Mighty ImperialsThunder ChickenDAP-0032004
Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsNaturallyDAP-0042005
The Budos BandThe Budos BandDAP-0052005
The Sugarman 3Sugar's BoogalooDAP-0062007
The Poets of RhythmPractice What You PreachDAP-0072006
The Sugarman 3Soul DonkeyDAP-0082007
The DaktarisSoul ExplosionDAP-0092006
Bob and GeneIf This World Were Mine...DAP-0102007
The Budos BandThe Budos Band IIDAP-0112007
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings100 Days, 100 NightsDAP-0122007
Various ArtistsDAP-0142008
Menahan Street BandMake the Road by WalkingDAP-0152008
Naomi Shelton & the Gospel QueensWhat Have You Done, My BrotherDAP-0162009
Pax Nicholas & The Nettey FamilyNa Teef Know de Road of TeefDAP-0172009
Various ArtistsDaptone Gold DAP-0182009
Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsI Learned the Hard WayDAP-0192010
The Budos BandThe Budos Band IIIDAP-0202010
Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsI Learned the Hard Way DAP-0212010
Charles BradleyNo Time for DreamingDAP-0222011
El Rego Et Ses CommandosEl Rego DAP-0232011
Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsSoul Time! DAP-0242011
Menahan Street BandNo Time For Dreaming DAP-0252012
The Sugarman 3What The World Needs NowDAP-0262012
The Como MamasGet An UnderstandingDAP-0272013
AntibalasAntibalasDAP-0282012
Menahan Street BandThe CrossingDAP-0292012
The Poets Of RhythmAnthology 1992-2003DAP-0302013
Charles BradleyVictim of LoveDAP-0312013
Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsGive The People What They WantDAP-0322014
Naomi Shelton & the Gospel QueensCold WorldDAP-0332014
The Budos BandBurnt OfferingDAP-0342014
Saun & StarrLook CloserDAP-0352015
Various ArtistsDaptone Gold, Vol. II DAP-0362015
Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsIt's A Holiday Soul PartyDAP-0372015
The Dap-KingsA Closer Look at The Dap-Kings: The Instrumentals Behind Saun & Starr's "Look Closer"DAP-0382018
Walker Family SingersPanola County SpiritDAP-0392016
The James Hunter SixHold On!DAP-0402016
Charles BradleyChangesDAP-0412016
The FrightnrsNothing More To SayDAP-0422016
Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsMiss Sharon Jones! DAP-0432016
The OlympiansThe OlympiansDAP-0442016
The Como MamasMove UpstairsDAP-0452017
AntibalasWhere the gods are in peaceDAP-0462017
Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsSoul Of A WomanDAP-0502017
The James Hunter SixWhatever it takesDAP-0512017