Far Out Recordings

Lore & Background

Since the mid-1990s, Far Out Recordings has released new albums by artists including Azymuth, Arthur Verocai, Marcos Valle, Joyce, Sabrina Malheiros, The Ipanemas, Banda Black Rio, Antonio Adolfo, and Amaro Freitas. The label has also issued numerous previously unreleased archival recordings, such as Hermeto Pascoal's Viajando Com O Som, Azymuth's Demos (1973-75), a Milton Nascimento performance of two ballets, Marcos Resende & Index's 1976 debut album, and Jose Mauro's A Viagem Das Horas.

Reader's Guide

Far Out Recordings has played a significant role in bringing Brazilian music to international audiences, particularly through its archival reissues. The label's Quartin series reissued the catalogue of Brazilian producer Roberto Quartin's 1970s label, including Jose Mauro's Obnoxius and early works by Victor Assis Brasil and Piry Reis. Beyond Brazilian music, Far Out is well known for its electronic, dance, and club releases, featuring original productions and remixes by artists such as Theo Parrish, Mark Pritchard, Dego, Andres, Marcellus Pittman, Kirk Degiorgio, Nicola Conte, Henry Wu, and Rick Willhite. The label also produced the Brazilika series of mixes, with entries from 4hero, Andy Votel, Gilles Peterson, and Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez.

Did You Know?

• Far Out Recordings was founded in the mid-1990s and is run by DJ, entrepreneur, and producer Joe Davis.
• The label's Quartin series reissues the catalogue of Brazilian producer Roberto Quartin's 1970s label.
• Far Out has released archival recordings including Hermeto Pascoal's Viajando Com O Som and Azymuth's Demos (1973-75).
• The label's Brazilika series of mixes includes entries from 4hero, Andy Votel, Gilles Peterson, and Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez.

Founding & Creative Identity

Far Out Recordings emerged in the mid-1990s as a UK-based imprint with a clear creative compass: the music of Brazil. While the label's heart beats in samba, MPB, and the rich jazz traditions of the Brazilian scene, its scope stretches well beyond a single national border. Joe Davis, a DJ, producer, and entrepreneur, founded and continues to run the operation, giving it a hands-on, artist-driven character. The catalogue spans an impressive spectrum—soul, disco, house, broken beat, electronica, and remixes sit alongside the more traditionally Brazilian fare. This refusal to be boxed into one genre or one geography has made Far Out a distinctive voice in the independent label world, bridging the warmth of Brazilian composition with the forward-looking energy of electronic music. Davis's personal involvement as both a creative and business figure means the label operates with a curator's eye rather than a corporate one, selecting releases that reflect genuine musical affinity rather than commercial trend.

Archival Excavation & the Quartin Series

One of Far Out's most celebrated contributions to the music world is its dedication to excavating and preserving Brazilian recordings that might otherwise have vanished into obscurity. The label has brought to light numerous previously unreleased archival recordings, including Hermeto Pascoal's Viajando Com O Som, Azymuth's Demos spanning 1973 to 1975, a Milton Nascimento performance of two ballets, and the 1976 debut album by Marcos Resende & Index. A particularly ambitious project is the Quartin series, which reissues the catalogue of Brazilian producer Roberto Quartin's 1970s label. This series has surfaced Jose Mauro's A Viagem Das Horas, his Obnoxius, and early works by Victor Assis Brasil and Piry Reis. By treating these recordings not as curiosities but as vital musical documents, Far Out has effectively built a living archive, ensuring that a new generation of listeners can encounter the depth and range of Brazilian music from the 1970s and beyond.

Electronic Crossover & the Brazilika Mixes

While Far Out's Brazilian roots are its defining feature, the label has equally carved out a reputation in the electronic and club music world. It has released original productions and remixes from a roster of respected figures in the dance scene, including Theo Parrish, Mark Pritchard, Dego, Andres, Marcellus Pittman, Kirk Degiorgio, Nicola Conte, Henry Wu, and Rick Willhite. This crossover is not merely a marketing gesture; it reflects a genuine musical dialogue between the rhythmic sophistication of Brazilian composition and the textural experimentation of electronic production. The Brazilika mix series further cements this bridge, featuring entries from 4hero, Andy Votel, Gilles Peterson, and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez—each offering their own interpretive lens on the label's sonic palette. Through these projects, Far Out positions itself at the intersection of two worlds that often remain separate, proving that the grooves of samba and the pulses of broken beat share a common DNA.

Artist Roster & Ongoing New Releases

Since its founding in the mid-1990s, Far Out has maintained a steady stream of new album releases from a remarkable roster of Brazilian and international artists. The label has put out new material from Azymuth, Arthur Verocai, Marcos Valle, Joyce, Sabrina Malheiros, The Ipanemas, Banda Black Rio, Antonio Adolfo, and Amaro Freitas, among others. The full artist roster reads like a who's-who of Brazilian music and its global extensions: Nana Vasconcelos, Dori Caymmi, Irakere, Fabiano do Nascimento, Zeep (with Nina Miranda), Nomade Orquestra, Grupo Batuque, Sean Khan, and Heidi Vogel all appear across the catalogue. This breadth—spanning jazz, MPB, soul, and electronic music—reflects Davis's curatorial philosophy of following musical kinship rather than genre boundaries. The label's ongoing commitment to new recordings alongside its archival work ensures that Far Out functions not as a museum but as a living, evolving platform for artists who value both tradition and innovation.

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