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Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story

Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story

By: London Records
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From underground misfits to global hitmakers, ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The Story of London Records’ is a thrilling, no-holds-barred journey through one of the most influential eras in British music, and the maverick label that helped define it.


London Records didn’t just follow trends: it created them. Born in the chaos of the early 1980s, the label was fuelled by instinct, risk-taking, and big personalities. What followed was a cultural explosion that would shape pop, dance, and club music for decades to come.

Through exclusive interviews and first-hand accounts, journalist Siân Pattenden speaks with the artists, executives, and insiders who lived through it all. From the DIY beginnings of Bananarama and Blancmange, to the global domination of Fine Young Cannibals, this is the inside story of how hits were made, and sometimes lost.


Along the way, legendary voices like Pete Tong reveal how a generation-defining sound emerged from late-night clubs and record shop imports, while artists like Goldie and Orbital show how London Records helped push electronic music into the mainstream, changing the sound of modern Britain forever.

But this isn’t just a story of success. It’s a story of ambition, excess, and the realities of fame. From the dizzying highs of chart-topping acts like East 17 to the personal and creative struggles behind the scenes, the series pulls back the curtain on an industry where fortunes were made, and sometimes lost, overnight.


You’ll also discover how the label helped launch bold, era-defining acts like All Saints and Sugababes, while navigating the shifting tides of the music business, from vinyl to CDs to the digital revolution that changed everything.


This isn’t just music history, it’s the story of how culture moves. It’s about rebellion, creativity, identity, and the power of a great song to change lives. Whether you lived through these moments or are discovering them for the first time, this podcast puts you right in the room where it happened: the deals, the risks, the parties, the breakthroughs.


Packed with unforgettable stories, iconic tracks, and the people who were really there, ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The Story of London Records Story’ is unmissable listening.


Follow London Records for clips, more content and to send us your questions and thoughts:

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‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story’ compilation is released on 2CD / Digital on June 12, 2026 and available to pre-order now

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes
  • Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story | Episode 5 - Finale

    Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story | Episode 5 - Finale
    Jun 3 2026

    In this final chapter, London Records faces its greatest challenge yet: surviving success in a changing world.


    The late 90s bring a new wave of polished, global pop. Acts like All Saints redefine the sound of the era: sleek, sophisticated, and massively successful. Alongside them, Dannii Minogue reinvents herself, while Sugababes carry the torch into a new millennium.


    But behind the glossy surface, cracks remain. The pressures of fame, especially for women in the spotlight, are relentless. Artists speak candidly about media scrutiny, industry sexism, and the toll of constant exposure.


    At the same time, the business itself is shifting. The CD boom brings huge profits, but also complacency. As insiders like John Niven reflect, the industry misses key opportunities, failing to adapt to the coming digital revolution.


    Big acts slip through the cracks. The momentum fades. Eventually, London Records is sold.


    It feels like the end. But it isn’t.


    In 2018, the label is reborn: leaner, independent, and reconnected with its roots. Legacy artists return, reissues find new audiences, and the spirit of risk-taking begins again.


    Looking back, voices like Pete Tong, Richard Coles, and the members of Bananarama reflect on what made London Records special: not just the hits, but the people, the energy, and the belief that music could change everything.


    Because in the end, it did.


    Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Produced by Robin Leeburn. A Podmasters production for London Records.


    Guests featured in this episode: Shaznay Lewis (All Saints), Peter Loraine, Miranda Sawyer, Tony Mortimer (East 17), Colin Bell, Juliette Sensicle, Siobahn Fahey (Shakespears Sister / Bananarama), Sara Dallin (Bananarama), Julia Marcus, John Niven, Goldie, Pete Tong, Richard Coles (The Communards), Keren Woodward


    Songs featured in this episode:


    Bronski Beat - Hit That Perfect Beat

    Dannii Minogue - Who Do You Love Now?

    Sugababes - Overload

    Bananarama - Cruel Summer

    Shakespears Sister - You’re History

    Goldie - Timeless


    Follow London Records for clips, more content and to send us your questions and thoughts:

    Instagram

    London Records

    TikTok

    Facebook

    Website


    ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story’ compilation is released on 2CD / Digital on June 12, 2026 and available to pre-order now

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story | Episode 4 - Mo Money, Mo Problems

    Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story | Episode 4 - Mo Money, Mo Problems
    May 27 2026

    By the mid-90s, London Records is flying high, but success comes at a price. In this episode, journalist Siân Pattenden dives into the intoxicating, and sometimes destructive world of pop stardom.


    At the heart of it all is East 17. Their rise is meteoric, culminating in a Christmas number one but behind the scenes, cracks are already forming. Frontman Tony Mortimer reveals the reality of sudden fame: pressure, scrutiny, and a life turned upside down overnight.


    Across the label, stories of burnout and breakdown emerge. The Communards split as tensions grow. Fine Young Cannibals implode under the strain of success. But the money keeps flowing.


    This is the era of the indie gold rush, with huge advances, extravagant spending, and a culture of excess. Bands like Menswear recall signing deals worth fortunes, and burning through them just as quickly. Industry insiders describe wild expense accounts, endless parties, and a sense that it might never end.


    Of course, it does.


    From costly creative risks to hedonistic lifestyles, the consequences begin to catch up. Acts like Flowered Up illustrate how quickly things can fall apart.


    And then comes the ultimate question: is it worth it? Through candid reflections, artists and insiders confront the reality of fame: the highs, the lows, and the toll it takes.


    Episode 4 is a raw, unfiltered look at the price of living the pop dream.


    Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Produced by Robin Leeburn. A Podmasters production for London Records.


    Guests featured in this episode: Siobhan Fahey (Shakespears Sister / Bananarama), Sara Dallin (Bananarama), Tony Mortimer (East 17), Hillary Shaw, Colin Bell, Sean Rowley, Neil Arthur (Blancmange), Richard Coles (The Communards), Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals), Marcella Detroit (Shakespears Sister)


    Songs featured in this episode:


    Bronski Beat - Hit That Perfect Beat

    East 17 - Stay Another Day

    East 17 - Deep

    East 17 - Steam

    Fine Young Cannibals - Good Thing

    The Brand New Heavies - You Are The Universe

    Menswear - Daydreamer

    Goldie - Temper Temper

    Goldie - Mother

    Flowered Up - Phobia

    East 17 - Thunder

    Menswear - Being Brave


    Follow London Records for clips, more content and to send us your questions and thoughts:

    Instagram

    London Records

    TikTok

    Facebook

    Website


    ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story’ compilation is released on 2CD / Digital on June 12, 2026 and available to pre-order now

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story | Episode 3 - FFRR

    Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story | Episode 3 - FFRR
    May 20 2026

    The beat drops and everything changes.


    While London Records dominates the pop charts, a new underground movement is erupting across the UK. Acid house. Rave. Electronic music. This isn’t just a trend: it’s a cultural shift.


    At the centre is Pete Tong, on a mission to find something more than hits. He’s searching for legacy.

    From imported records to illegal warehouse parties, we trace the birth of a scene that would redefine music forever. Early tracks like ‘Jack Your Body’ hint at what’s coming, but it’s only the beginning.


    Through voices like Paul Hartnoll of Orbital and Utah Saints’ Jez Willis, we hear how bedroom producers and underground DJs became pioneers of a new sound.


    London Records, through its ffrr imprint, tries to bridge two worlds: pop accessibility and dancefloor authenticity. It’s not always easy. There are tensions between art and commerce, pressure to add vocals, to chase radio play, but some artists refuse to compromise.


    Meanwhile, collectives like Boys Own Productions push boundaries even further, while acts like Cookie Crew fight to establish UK Hip Hop in a resistant industry.


    And then comes Goldie. With his groundbreaking work in drum ‘n’ bass, Goldie becomes the artist Pete Tong had been searching for. Complex, uncompromising, and visionary, he represents a new kind of success: not just hits, but cultural impact.


    As rave transforms Britain, Episode 3 captures a moment when music wasn’t just heard: it was felt, lived, and fought for. This is the sound of a revolution.


    Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Produced by Robin Leeburn. A Podmasters production for London Records.


    Guests featured in this episode: Pete Tong, Julia Marcus, Sean Rowley, Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), Jez Willis (Utah Saints), Tim Garbutt (Utah Saints), Steve Hall, Susie Q (Cookie Crew), Debbie Remedy (Cookie Crew), Goldie


    Songs featured in this episode:


    Bronski Beat - Hit That Perfect Beat

    Orbital - Chime

    Happy Mondays - Hallelujah

    Utah Saints - Something Good

    Orbital - Halcyon

    Goldie - Timeless

    Goldie - Kemistry (Doc Scott Mix)

    Goldie - State Of Mind


    Follow London Records for clips, more content and to send us your questions and thoughts:

    Instagram

    London Records

    TikTok

    Facebook

    Website


    ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story’ compilation is released on 2CD / Digital on June 12, 2026 and available to pre-order now


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
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