Like or loathe it, the UK garage sound spearheaded by artists like So Solid Crew and Hendon stars DJ Luck and MC Neat is definitely the musical flavour of the year.

That opportunity knocks for the likes of young West Hendon entrepreneur Brian Pennells. He may only be 21 years old, but his label, 206 Productions, is ready to go with a debut single to bombard the charts in time for Christmas, with a whole raft of new talent from all over Barnet waiting in the wings.

"We have been offering the local kids singing lessons," said Brian. "All the producers are from Hendon, Cricklewood and that area, and we have a 15-year-old girl MC rapper from Colindale called ICB.

"We just want to offer them a lift up, as music is such a big thing to the community. This is the sound of what is happening now in London."

Based in West Hendon Broadway, the 206 Productions crew keeps everything in-house, with a professional recording studio and office where Brian has been working hard to get the label off the ground. A single 'Mayday 2001' by Karl King featuring Butler is expected in record shops next month and a follow-up, Hold On by Wanderers featuring ET, is due out in the New Year.

"It has been quite challenging," said Brian. "I came here straight from college just having done a music production course and it has been a steep learning curve for me as well as getting the whole thing up and running.

"Sometimes it has been frustrating, having things not going the way we want, but it's really good to see it moving forward and seeing it through from the start."

For sales or to find out more about recording for the label, ring 020 8457 9474. Alternatively, call in at the studio at 206 Edgware Road, West Hendon.

December 3, 2001 13:00