Sleazy Beats Black Ops

Sleazy Beats Black Ops is a record label founded in Amsterdam in 2012 by the DJs Monsieur Monod and Kris Percy from Copenhagen. The history of Sleazy Beats Black Ops can be traced back to three steps; before the Danish/Dutch DJ-duo conducted their present incarnation, there was an additional label with Sleazy Beat, which only had ten catalogue numbers. »We thought ten was a good number for a series and subsequently Black Ops would offer us the possibility to pursue a deeper, petulant sound. Less glitter, more basement« Monsieur Monod explains. Before the first series was launched in 2009, Sleazy Beats existed notably as a blog – which the two DJs still operate – and the label’s creation dropped more or less into their lap. »We were sent many demos and unpublished tracks, of which some were so good, that we decided to plunder our accounts«, the Dutch Monsieur Monod reminisces. A clearly, articulated concept never existed with Sleazy Beats as well as with the succession Sleazy Beats Black Ops, not even on a musical level. Although many of the releases sound at first like edits of obscure disco-records and producers like Junktion, Max Graef, and Admin – who are respected experts and handymen – are on board; this is in no way a pure edit-label. »It is a sample driven thing, provided that the thing gives results. There is a fine line between the two, I suppose, however ultimately it’s about as broad as it’s long.[ In the matter of presentation, less laissez-faire is the attitude of the self-titled DIY company: »The majority of the time I am sitting in front of my computer. Releasing records gives me the feeling of making something genuine and substantial.« From the favoured cover width -naturally 3mm – through to strict limitations, Sleazy Beats Black Ops leaves nothing to coincidence when it’s about the design of the releases. »I simply love stuff, which you can also show to your Grandma!« She wouldn’t have got the thing with the blog anyway.