Eastern Bloc
Famed as the North of England's premier record shop, Eastern Bloc's in-house Creed imprint launched 808 State, K-Klass, Ariel and Justin Robertson, The latter and Mike E-Bloc (see E-Lustrious) worked together on the counter before pursuing their own musical careers. Creed was brought under the generic MOS label banner in 1991 (MOS standing for More O' Same—to be pronounced in a thick Mancunian accent). Eastern Bloc inaugurated its own brand label in 1993. Peter Waterman (of SAW fame) was the unlikely purchaser of the establishment when it ran into financial difficulties. He then placed DJ and club owner Peter Taylor in charge of proceedings, with a brief to record strong, commercial dance music. Taylor had formerly worked with Waterman as part of the PWL set-up, notably remixing Kylie Minogue's Keep It Pumping. He also runs the Angels club in Burnley, Lancashire. The label's first release was a licensed track, Waterfall, by Atlantic Ocean, the second She by Ideal—Manchester DJs Jon Dasilva and A.G. Scott. However, it was the Loveland Saga which earned their biggest headlines. A band of that title, affiliated to Eastern Bloc, released their version of Darlene Lewis' Let The Music (Lift You Up) without obtaining sample clearance. A legal tussle ensued, until both parties agreed to release a joint version, performing together on Top Of The Pops.