Ranking Records is a London-based independent bass music record label started in 2007 by then Leeds University students Harry Devenish aka Evergreen and Toby Davies aka Planas/Landlord. Ranking began with the intention of releasing music that emerged from the vibrant local dance music scene. The first single, Miserere, by Ruckspin, Quark and Planas received rotation by Maryanne Hobbs on her Radio 1 Experimental show and was quoted as “one of the most exciting records (I’ve heard) all year”. This gave Ranking a sturdy platform to move forward, and since then the label has produced a string of 15 releases, all of which have received national and international attention from both radio and club DJ’s.
In recent times Ranking has become something of a reference point for bass music lovers from all backgrounds: the signing of both dub/ska outfit Gentleman’s Dub Club and live dubstep/downtempo act Submotion Orchestra has brought a new sound to the label, and has attracted attention from press and public alike. The music video for Gentleman’s Dub Club’s “Emergency” (RAN014) yielded 10,000 youtube hits in the first week, and Submotion Orchestra’s “Finest Hour E.P” (RANEP003) has been championed by BBC Radio 1’s Gilles Peterson, who included the Planas remix of the title track on his Brownswood Bubblers 6 compilation. With both bands about to go on tour and releases from reggae vocalist Turbulence, producer Ruckspin, as well as a scheduled “Best of Ranking” compilation in the pipeline, 2011 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for the label.
Artists on Ranking include Gentleman's Dub Club, Submotion Orchestra, Foreign Beggars, Reso, Ruckspin, RSD, Quark, Planas, Quantum Soul, Evergreen, Landlord, Faib, Dub From Atlantis and Kahn.