Over the past five years Man Recordings has been on a mission: Bringing the global bass music scene a step closer together. And the world has indeed become a smaller place since Berlin-based producer and DJ Daniel Haaksman started the label in 2005.

"There was simply no platform for Baile Funk in Europe at the time", Daniel cites as his main motivation for launching the label, "and I've always been a fan of Brazilian music". Many of the best known artists of the style have contributed to Man Recordings over the years, such as Edu K, Sandrinho, and Deize Tigrona.

Man Recordings has since expanded its focus beyond the bass beats of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, spearheading a global bass movement interested in African Kwaito and Kuduro styles as much as their European permutations. "The global bass sound has taken on a life of its own", says Haaksman.

The label's anniversary compilation 'Valeu - Celebrating 5 Years of Man Recordings' illustrates this by featuring original Baile Funk artists next to international all-stars like Crookers, KU BO, and Seiji in a twelve-track-strong selection of exclusive tracks, collaborations and mixes. Feliz aniversário!