There are record labels you recognize by their sound before you even know their name. Sulatron Records is one of them. For two decades, the name has stood for everything drifting in the vast orbits of the psychedelic cosmos. Shimmering, idiosyncratic, wonderfully removed from the mainstream. And this journey nearly came to an end. Nearly.
Twenty years on the outer rim
It was just the twentieth anniversary of the day Sula Bassana launched his wonderfully eccentric, psychedelic-experimental label, Sulatron Records. What began as a labor of love grew over the years into a small institution: more than two hundred releases have appeared on Sulatron, spanning genres that have always eluded conventional radio. Progressive rock, space rock, sprawling jams, krautrock, plus excursions into neo- and post-rock. Sulatron was never a label for clear-cut categorization, but rather a catchment basin for those who prefer the long musical arc to the quick chorus.
But then, suddenly, it seemed to be over. The 58-year-old Berlin native was plagued by health problems, and with them came the question no fan wanted to hear: Is it the end of Sulatron?
The new beginning
It wasn't over. Dave and I had known each other for a long time, and when it became clear he wanted to give up Sulatron, the decision was made after careful consideration: This label must not die; it is too important to the psych scene for that. It’s not about a business model, but about preservation—about the awareness that a scene needs its hubs, its catalog numbers, its reliable addresses for the unusual.
At the beginning of the year, the company changed ownership and location: Sulatron moved from Hesse to Lörrach in Baden, right on the Swiss border, in the middle of the three-country corner. The location has changed, but the spirit has not.
Gentle modernization
The legacy is not just to be preserved, but to be carried forward. With respect for what exists and a feel for what is necessary today. The basic philosophy of the label as a "one-woman show" is not changing much; it is just getting a more modern coat of paint. This includes having another creative on board: photographer Steffen Albrecht. He will also take on the role of author for concert and festival reviews, which will be featured on the new Sulatron website in the future. After all, this circle of creatives thrives on being on stage.
That is the core of the matter: for space rock, kraut, and jam, the stage is not an accessory, but their true habitat. This is where long improvisations, endless grooves, and ecstatic moments arise that cannot be fully captured on any studio recording. Anyone who takes this scene seriously must experience its concerts and report on them, and that is exactly what is planned.
From shop to blog and beyond
The realignment goes beyond the editorial. Sulatron is intended to become a vibrant platform. Everything is being updated: along with the label shop, a blog-style website is being created. The musical spectrum is also expanding. Space rock is my home, heavy jazz my great love, and it is from this scene that music will be released in the future. Initial contacts, such as with Norwegian labels, have already been made, and they are looking forward to collaborations.
With this, Sulatron is opening itself up to new sound worlds. The leap from space rock toward heavy jazz is not as far as it might seem at first glance. Both thrive on intensity, collective energy, and the courage for length, friction, and dissonance. And the Scandinavian scene, particularly the Norwegian one, has for years been considered one of the most exciting hubs for exactly these types of boundary-crossings. Cross-border collaborations can give the label a fresh look without diluting its own identity.
A little bit of chaos is part of it
Naturally, the handover from Dave didn't go completely without turbulence. It was a bit chaotic, but let’s be honest: this scene doesn't work without chaos.
Psychedelic rock has never cared about order, clear edges, or clean transitions. It thrives on wild growth, chance, and the freedom to lose oneself.
So the journey continues. Different location, new boss, same spirit. Sulatron continues to drift through its own unique cosmos.