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So this is as good a chance as any to get hold of the guys responsible (Simon Lewin and the mysteriously named Shack) and see what all the fuss is about.....

In early 1996 sHack and I were coming across a few really good tunes which friends were putting together. Styles and influences varied enormously but they we're all, as we put it, united by the broad base of the booming beat. So, partly influenced by the likes of Wall of Sound and Skint, we decided to set up Fused and Bruised, committed to change, genre blending and just generally mucking about with the formula.

Basically, we just want to keep pushing the boundaries of what we do. Whilst a certain amount of commercial success is important to us, we will not let this rule what we put out - hence the Point Five releases - limited to 250 copies, hand packaged and number - these allow us to put out tunes we hear with no regard to how many they sell. they are special records that need a certain amount of tracking down and will always be an important part of what Fused and Bruised is about.

I don't think you can afford not to be involved with the Internet. The contacts we have developed through it just couldn't have happened a few years ago. And it truly gives a label like ours the chance to remain independent. We can sell direct thru' the net to territories which are deemed unviable by distributors, and we've already organised a number of deals with like minded labels overseas. All of this should mean we can operate for longer without relying on a major's distribution influence.

On the whole I think things are pretty good - if only in the scene we're involved in. We've made some really good friends, and this must be one of the first scenes where people are really wanting to make something happen - so you get into a situation where nothing is really being held back. We actively swap contacts with other labels like Bolshi, Dust 2 Dust, Botchit & Scarper - keeping each other up to date. Setting up and running a record label isn't the easiest thing to do well, and we've been pleasantly surprised by the encouragement we've had.

Corny answer, but you have to believe 101% in the tunes you put out - and not be frightened to experiment. And whilst the music is 99% of the battle, running the label with a degree of professionalism makes up the final 1% and makes all the difference.

It's a free-style-jam culled from the worlds of Instrumental Hip Hop, Electro, Jungle, Funk, Techno; all united by the broad base of the booming beat. Ours is a darkside slant where eclectomania's gone AWOL, and where you leave your expectations at the door.

(note: check the brilliant Fused and bruised web site for all up-to-date info

interview conducted by Phil Meadley.