Definitive Recordings

Record label – based in London, Ontario (Canada).
Label head and A&R – [a1233].
Founded in 1992. Formerly owned by [l316], purchased by [l8847]/[l505059] in 2023.

In the spring of 1992 three DJs, John Acquaviva, Richard Hawtin, and Karl Kowalski founded a label that would embody their idea of house music. John and Rich were no strangers to the dance music scene, having founded http://www.discogs.com/label/Plus+8+Records+Ltd.Plus 8 and http://www.discogs.com/label/Probe+RecordsProbe over the previous two years. As music went, John, Rich and Karl loved all sorts but preferred it best when they were able to play house music that was not too hard and not too soft. They were fully aware of the various house scenes, but felt there was no particular label that had their sound in mind.
The label is directed by John and Richie with Karl keeping a presence on an artist level (Jetstream and Dance Fever). The label is associated more with John Acquaviva these days, as he is busy travelling the world, much like Richie, promoting the Definitive Definition of house music. Although having cofounded the famous Plus 8 label, both John and Rich have proven that they are well rounded and can really do it all. Definitive is quickly becoming a breeding ground for new talent for house music from throughout the world.
Since 1992, Definitive has put out more than 40 releases for the house community. They have had such anthems as the Blunted Dummies’ “House For All”, and Robotman’s “Dodadoo” with its numerous mixes notably the Plastikman mix. They have also had a number of dj/artists emerge to become notable figures in the scene.
People such as David Alvarado from Los Angeles did his first works under Las Americas, he now has his own successful Bomb label and has produced for the Stickman label, and Strictly Rhythm. Bryan Zentz of Norfolk Virginia with his Barada project. Ian Pooley from the Frankfurt area with his self titled project. Boomer Reynolds from Toledo Ohio with his Omegaman project. Chuck Phulasole from Toronto and his self-titled project. Clemens Neufeld from Vienna with his aptly titled Future Legends.
All these people have made noticeable impacts on artist levels as well as Definitive as a label. The Definitive label has established both artist identities as well as carving out a strong label identity in a brief period of time until it ended in 1997.
Then 2005 came, when the label was revived by John in a more Colombian style, by bringing attention to DJ’s like Julio Montes and his brother Carlos Montes, Luis Fontalvo, Kike Serrano, Alfonso Padilla, DJ Spot and more, It quickly took a more electro turn, starting with the minimalist pieces of “Walking On The Moog” by Damon Jee & Olivier Giacomotto, and introducing other artists like the rookie Greg Kobe and his aliases Generali and Robot Needs Oil, Kid Dub, David Ekenback, Kolombo, Jan Van Lier, DJ Tonio and so much more, It quickly turned until another tech house label through the 2010’s and it consistently started dying out again when 2013 hit and it stopped releasing music another time in 2017. They are now currently making remakes/remasters of old 1990’s tracks, so be on the lookout for those.