From London’s underground to Belgian turntables: Visitor Records returns on five vinyl samplers

Fred Nasen’s label gave the dark, hypnotic sound of London’s early 2000s tech-house scene a home in the Benelux. Now, five vinyl samplers bring sought-after tracks from the Visitor Records catalogue back into circulation.

At the turn of the millennium, Terry Francis, Nathan Coles and Mr. C were shaping a sound at nights like Wiggle and The End, where techno’s darker pulse met the soul of house. Belgium had few outlets for it, but Fred Nasen was listening.

Working as import manager at N.E.W.S., Nasen had a front-row seat to the records arriving from London. He was convinced the sound deserved a platform closer to home. With Kozzmozz among the few local parties willing to champion it, and N.E.W.S. giving him carte blanche, Visitor Records was born.

The label released around 41 records before its run ended in 2006. Almost 25 years later, five vinyl samplers revisit some of its most sought-after tracks, none of which has been repressed since its original release.

It is a chance to rediscover the sound Nasen believed in from the start, and a chapter of Belgian club music that still belongs on a dance floor.