Wild Card Records 1995-1998

Wild Card Records was formed in 1994 by Matt Smith and Malkit Nagra to cater for Black and Asian music lovers in Coventry. 

Malkit’s brother Manjeet joined the team as did Rob ‘Life’ Bailes (who later went on to form Breakin Bread) and Dave ‘Marshall’ Barrett took charge of the 7” Jamaican ‘pre-release’. Based on the Burges in Coventry city centre, many life stories were told over the counter.

Wild Card sold tickets for Sound System events as well their own and with Colin Bell’s New York connection, US vinyl and clothing made its way to Coventry.  Errol Judah Morrais of Mackabee was also a regular face in the shop. For photos click here.

Flyers archive

Dance of the Decade

Photos archive

Champion Sound features a wealth of archive footage and stills, some of which is included here on this website.

Some material was also used in the accompanying exhibition at the Herbert Museum in Coventry, where the film was launched back in May 2008.  We’ve picked out the choicest cuts of the Champion Sound exhibition for your delectation.

Records Shops in Coventry

Dance, Flyers & Photos

Flyers archive

Photos archive

Here on this page a bit of stuff about record shops in Coventry and you’ll also find a few gems of photos kindly submitted by Coventry peeps.

Thanks again to all the people who shared with us their dance flyers, personal photographs and memories of bygone days. Special thanks to Michael Riley, for the kind loan of archive from the University of Westminster.