In the heart of London’s Soho, the Karma Sanctum Hotel recently played host to a milestone celebration that brought together pioneers, fans, and tastemakers of electronic music. The occasion? 35 years of Perfecto Records—the iconic indie label founded by Paul Oakenfold that helped shape the global dance music scene.
At an exclusive screening of the new documentary How Dance Music Changed The World, guests were taken on a journey from the label’s humble beginnings to its status today as a dance music institution. “We started off as a small dance label, and as dance music grew, we grew with it,” said Oakenfold. “We’re still an indie label, with over 10 million records sold.”
The film chronicles the label’s key moments and legendary signings, with names like David Guetta, Carl Cox, BT, and Tiësto all having early associations with Perfecto. But the impact of the label goes far beyond record deals. Oakenfold reflected on some of the standout milestones from the past three and a half decades: “The first Perfecto University tour. Planet Perfecto. Perfecto Allstars. Reach Up. The radio show, which is now at 15 million listeners worldwide. Mount Everest is up there. Stonehenge too. And Perfecto remixes like Massive Attack and U2.”
The screening drew a crowd of major industry professionals and longtime fans alike, not only to honor the past but also to look ahead. When asked about the future of Perfecto, Oakenfold didn’t miss a beat: “Dance music is global. It’s everywhere—in TV ads, in movies, in commercials. Perfecto will grow with the scene and provide a home for any artist around the world.”
When pressed to name a single track that best represents the Perfecto sound, Oakenfold chose without hesitation: “‘Not Over Yet’ with Grace. The title sums it up—it’s not over yet! That was one of our biggest hits. ‘Bullet in a Gun’ was obviously massive too. But yeah, I think it would be ‘Not Over Yet.’”
The night concluded with a fitting tribute: a DJ set from Nancy Noise, once the Perfecto office manager and now an acclaimed DJ in her own right. It was a nostalgic and celebratory end to an evening that didn’t just reflect on a label’s legacy—but on the journey of electronic music itself.
As Perfecto Records moves forward into its next chapter, one thing is clear: it’s far from over yet.
