We’re rapidly becoming big fans of new Melbourne-based funk and soul record label Choi Records.

Choi Records is the brainchild of Ivan Khatchoyan, he records, mixes and produces all of the releases on Choi Records.. Ivan has been prominent in Australia’s soul scene for many years now. Most notably he is the drummer with Cookin’ On 3 Burners, the Australian trio who are riding high with one of 2016’s biggest hits, ‘This Girl’ (Kungs vs Cookin’ On 3 Burners).

The first two releases on the label came from The Traffic. This new outfit is a collaboration between Ivan and Yuri Pavlinov, bass player with Melbourne’s most well known funk/soul outfit The Bamboos. The rest of the band is made up of carefully selected players from the ever vibrant Melbourne scene. The Traffic’s debut 45, released back in April 2015 introduced the world to their heavy funk interpretations of popular tunes. For this first release they tackled Fire by Jimi Hendrix and Bangarag by Skrillex.

The second 45 for Choi Records, released just a couple of months ago saw The Traffic re-version another 2 classics.

‘White Lines’ by hip hop legend Grand Master Flash and The Prodigy’s ‘Smack My Bitch Up’. Both tracks are given some seriously heavy heavy funk treatment.

And finally last Friday saw the latest release from Choi Records. This cracking double-sider from 7-piece Melbourne band Fulton Street is the label’s first foray into vocal soul territory. Side A, ‘Young People’ is a high energy soul tune that details lead singer Shannen’s struggle to get a foothold in the workforce post-university. Side B, ‘Problems and Pain’ continues in the same vein as the flip, disappointment in society and the state of the world. It’s a largely instrumental track rounded off with a demanding call to action from the lead singer.

This little label from Melboure has gone from strength to strength in such a short space of time. With keen interest from across the world Choi Records are set for big things. Watch this space!