Record shop, label and publishing company based in London.
Pure Groove Records began as a market stall in Camden in 1989, before quickly moving to a bricks and mortar home in Archway.
Initially synonymous with the import and breaking of US house records in the UK, it later became the epicentre of the UK garage, before evolving into a key cornerstone in the indie scene, accommodating exclusive releases, in-house record labels and in-stores.
The shop moved to Smithfield Market in Farringdon in June 2008 which allowed it to accommodate even more – and bigger – in-stores whilst simultaneously being a coffee shop, bar and gallery space.
The shop closed in July 2010 but a webstore presence was maintained until September 2011.
Brothers Tarik and Ziad Nashnush (aka DJ Ziad) and Nick Worthington were the key figures behind the shop in its early days and remain involved in the company.
Five dance music labels were run from the shop in the 1990s and early 2000s: Tripoli Trax (1994, hard house), Locked On (1996, UK garage), Hot Potato Records (1999, hard house), Remote Recordings (1999, progressive house) and Y2K (1999, trance).
From the store stemmed a publishing company, also called Pure Groove or label, then renamed label, handling the catalogues of The Streets, Metronomy or artist, and associated record labels, such as the eponymous Pure Groove, label, Germs Of Youth, Marquis Cha Cha.