Founded in 1992 by Richard Whittingham and Glyn Bush, Different Drummer was never destined to be a "here today, gone tomorrow" label. The desire to release quality music has always been more important than getting involved in the major label race for "the next big thing." Early releases from Original Rockers (now Rockers Hi-Fi), Neotropic and Switchblade Sisters, owed as much to Dub, Hip-Hop and Breakbeat as they did to Acid House.

They were releases that were way ahead of their time, more suited to today's musical diversity and cross-pollination of styles.

Early Compilations such as "Bastard Tracks" and "Music Is Immortal" began to show a developing pool of musical talent with acts such as Templeroy, Painted Van and Euphonic. Remixing became an increasingly worthwhile past-time for Rockers Hi-Fi, as acts such as Sly and Robbie, Tosca, Ennio Morricone and Ella Fitzgerald all received the "Rocker's" touch. The continuing success of Rockers Hi-Fi in Germany, resulted in a Different Drummer Compilation entitled "Spliffen Sie Englisch". It features the cream of the German Nu-Jazz scene with tracks from Jazzanova, Beanfield and A Forest Mighty Black.

Now in 2001 and rapidly approaching the 60th Release, Different Drummer are still sticking to their guns. Albums from Noiseshaper, G Corp, Pre Fade Listening and Phase 5 are all dub-wise collections in the finest Different Drummer tradition, whilst the Soulful Electronica of Mighty Math and the Funky Hip-Hop of Elementz, Haych and Lyric Superbrand take the label in a new direction. A subsidiary label called "Leftfoot Recordings" is aimed at the more discerning dancefloors with the first two 12 inches being played by Gilles Peterson, Mr Scruff, Peter Kruder and Richard Dorfmeister.

Different Drummer Club Nights are held at The Medicine Bar in Birmingham, an increasingly popular venue for quality music of all genres. "Leftfoot" is a night without musical boundaries which has seen the likes of Jazzanova, Roots Manuva, Carl Craig, Fila Brazillia and Grand Central Records, whilst the Rootsical "Overproof" has featured 100% Dynamite , The Blood and Fire Soundsystem and the resident "Overproof Soundsystem".

The Different Drummer Soundsystem is a collective of DJ's , Musicians and Vocalists which can range from 2 to 6 members. The musical agenda is based around the "Leftfoot" Club Night, basically a selection of quality music from around the globe. The Soundsystem will be playing all over the world this year with shows in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Hungary and Portugal, aswell as clubs and festivals around the UK.