Label Focus – Token Records
This Friday, Fuse opens its doors again to Token Records, the iconic Ghent-based label that has quietly become a cornerstone of modern techno. Founded by Kr!z in 2007, Token has remained steadfast in its vision: no frills, no distractions, just pure, functional club music. It’s a label that thrives on precision, where each release is a study in stripped-back intensity, from the intricate sound design of Inigo Kennedy to the mechanical elegance of Ø [Phase]. This is techno in its most distilled form, raw, purposeful, and deeply rooted in the enduring essence of rhythm. Have a closer look at what Token means for Kr!z below.
Essential Token Release:
After all these years, which Token release stands out as essential to you, and why?
It’s virtually impossible to choose 'THE' one Token release. My aim since the beginning was to bring a classic, timeless sound and I think we did well so far. You can easily pick a release from the first year (2007) and still play it today without it sounding ‘dated’. If I really must pick one, I guess the Aphelion compilation we did in 2014 is something I’m very proud of. Having legends like Luke Slater (P.A.S.), Surgeon, and James Ruskin on there next to label regulars like Ø [Phase], Rødhåd, Inigo Kennedy & Ctrls, etc. felt like a big statement for the label.
Token's Underrated Gem:
Is there a Token track you feel is underrated or deserves more recognition? What makes it special to you?
Just listen to ‘Obsidian’ by Inigo Kennedy. No words necessary.
Token & Luke Slater:
Can you share more about your relationship with Luke Slater and how it has influenced Token over the years?
Luke has influenced Token in a major way before we even talked. I was a longtime fan of his Planetary Assault Systems project since my early DJ years, pre-Token. He’s one of the originators of the techno sound I’ve always enjoyed: hypnotic, but still powerful with a lot of energy. I first got in touch with Luke in 2012 to ask him for a remix of ‘Binary Opposition’ by Ø [Phase], which was one of our biggest records at that point. Luke was incredibly supportive of the label from the early days, so it didn’t take much for him to agree. Same when I asked him to be part of the Aphelion in 2014. When the 100th release was approaching, even though I was not big on birthdays or numbers like that, I still felt some outside pressure to do something special. I wanted to celebrate nr 100 with one of the longest-running (and definitely the most consistent) techno names ever: Planetary Assault Systems. It’s funny because I remember Luke saying ‘You’re lucky, 'cause I’m in Planetary mode right now’. He has different phases where sometimes he only does LB Dub Corp, or 7th Plain over a long period of time.. so I indeed felt very lucky :)
When he sent me ‘Say It Loud’, I knew I couldn’t have wished for a better record. In a way, it has a foot in the past, with this crazy 909 jam but still sounds very forward-thinking as well. I knew it was going to be a big record and I was right. Doing the album ‘Sky Scraping’ soon after that, was just the big cherry on the cake. We had good communication throughout the whole process, and we felt the same about most of the music, direction, etc. It felt very organic and I’m incredibly proud of the final result.
Milestones & Achievements:
Looking back, are there any key milestones, such as a specific number of releases, popular releases, or notable achievements, that you’re especially proud of?
All the above for sure! Next to that, the first albums by Inigo Kennedy & Ø [Phase] were incredible milestones for me. I learned so much as A&R. I enjoyed doing the 10-year compilation ‘Momentum’ too, which had all the main artists collaborating with each other. As for popular releases: one of our biggest records was Rødhåd’s remix of ‘Perplexed’ by Ø [Phase], which was an anthem for a long time crossing over to other genres as well. It’s an epic 10-minute journey I’d recommend to anyone.
Looking Ahead:
What’s next for Token? Are there any exciting projects, releases, or collaborations on the horizon?
Always, but I’d rather shine a light on the music that is out now and available for everyone to listen to: an incredible new record by Brussels’ own Border One, one of the artists that is very close to the label and is totally aligned with my taste and vision. That’s the last release of 2024. We’ve got some heat ready for 2025 though...