Batov Records

For those in the know, Batov Records has released quite a collection of interesting new music over the past few years. The label now boasts a refreshing blend of artists from around the world – ranging from Global Funk to World Beats and Middle-Eastern Grooves.

Batov came to life in London, but the music has its roots in those odd corners of the globe where people make music just for the fun of it. Back in the heady summer days of 2013, DJ Kobayashi & Bob Martyn started up Batov as simply a place to call home for Gypsy Hill’s catalogue. Around the same time, Herbert Newbert (Gypsy Hill co-founder) & Kobayashi set up a recording studio & production team – Down & Left was born. For the next few years the duo were based on London’s historic Denmark Street and worked with scores of bands and artists – many of whom also needed a label on which to release. Slowly the Batov Records sound came together with this early batch of artists, focusing on world grooves with a particularly Mediterranean flavour.

One of the latest releases, El Khat’s debut album ‘Saadia Jefferson’ has so far received glowing reviews and continues to receive coverage in respected publications such as Songlines Magazine, The Guardian, The Financial Times and numerous plays on the BBC. Label veterans Gypsy Hill are next up with a long awaited single and album out very soon. Exciting times ahead!