Expansion Records

A Market in Transition

The UK music industry is in a fascinating place right now. In 2024, recorded-music revenues rose nearly 5% to reach £1.49 billion, despite inflation, rising costs, and shifting consumer behaviour. Streaming still dominates, but its growth is slowing. Physical formats are more volatile than ever, with vinyl thriving while CDs slide towards irrelevance.

For artists, fans, and labels, these shifts are reshaping how music is released, marketed, and consumed. And for independent pioneers such as Expansion Records, the UK’s leading soul label, 2025/26 will be a milestone moment: their 40th anniversary, right in the middle of this industry transformation.

Vinyl: The Revival That Won’t Quit

Vinyl continues to be the hero of physical media. In 2024, UK listeners bought around 6.7 million LPs, generating close to £200 million, up more than 10% year-on-year. Collectors, casual fans, and superfans alike are driving demand, often through limited runs, coloured pressings, and deluxe packaging.

Big name artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Sabrina Carpenter dominate headlines, but vinyl’s appeal goes much deeper. Indie and niche genres are flourishing in this space too. Labels like Expansion Records, which has championed soul, funk, and jazz since 1986, are perfectly positioned. Their catalogue translates beautifully onto vinyl, appealing to collectors who value timeless music in premium physical form.

With Expansion Records celebrating 40 years in 2026, expect exclusive reissues, limited editions, and anniversary vinyl to become highly sought-after among UK collectors and soul fans worldwide.

The Collapse of the CD

While vinyl is thriving, CDs are facing a starkly different reality. In mid-2025, UK CD sales dropped by more than 20% year-on-year. Without blockbuster releases to prop them up, the format is quickly losing relevance.

Unlike vinyl, CDs don’t offer nostalgia or cultural cachet. They lack the tactile appeal of records and the convenience of streaming. For collectors, they’re simply not desirable. Labels that once relied on CDs as the mainstay of their physical sales are shifting focus towards vinyl or digital.

Expansion Records is a good example of this pivot. Their emphasis on vinyl reissues and high-quality pressings of classic and modern soul has helped them stay relevant while others have seen physical sales collapse. Now while no longer the core business, and more to support the long standing audience of collectors and supporters Expansion maintains, they still do release CDs. The mastering will always be superior to streams, and the credits, liner notes, and photos they contain have value and this is appreciated.

Streaming Dominance and Slowdown

Streaming remains the backbone of UK music consumption, making up about 68% of all revenue in 2024. But its growth is plateauing, with year-on-year increases now closer to 5% than the 8–9% we once saw.

Market saturation is the main culprit. Most listeners who want a subscription already have one. Future revenue growth will come from price rises, bundling with other digital services, or better monetisation of catalogue music. But this also raises questions: will fans stick around when prices increase? And how much of that money will reach the artists and labels?

For independent labels like Expansion, streaming is both a blessing and a challenge. It ensures their artists reach global audiences instantly, but revenue share remains an ongoing battle.

Collectors, Superfans, and Indie Shops

The vinyl revival is fuelled by collectors and superfans, who treat records as cultural artefacts. Limited editions, anniversary reissues, and Record Store Day exclusives are driving sales.

Independent record shops have been central to this resurgence. They’re not just retail outlets, they’re community hubs and curators. Labels such as Expansion Records have long relied on indie shops to connect directly with dedicated fans of soul, funk, and R&B. As vinyl continues its upward curve, these relationships will only grow in importance.

Challenges Ahead

The industry still faces serious challenges:

• Volatility of physical sales: Vinyl growth depends on major releases and collector interest. Without big events, numbers dip.

• Production costs: Pressing vinyl is expensive, with rising material and distribution costs squeezing margins.

• Sustainability concerns: The production of multiple vinyl variants raises environmental questions. Fans and artists are calling for greener alternatives.

For labels celebrating milestones, such as Expansion’s 40th anniversary, these challenges may also present opportunities. By innovating in packaging, sustainability, and fan engagement, they can set themselves apart while still honouring their legacy.

Opportunities for Independent Labels

The current market offers plenty of opportunities for independent labels to thrive. Vinyl has given physical media a cultural rebirth, and streaming provides global reach. For Expansion Records, whose roster includes both classic reissues and fresh soul releases, the next year will be pivotal.

Their 40th anniversary isn’t just a milestone — it’s a chance to spotlight four decades of curating the best in soul, funk, and jazz. Expect collectors to clamour for exclusive vinyl editions, box sets, and anniversary events that tap into both nostalgia and forward-thinking curation.

Conclusion: Looking to 2026 and Beyond

The UK music industry remains strong, but its future is unevenly spread. Vinyl has carved out a lasting role, streaming is showing signs of maturity, and CDs are fading fast. For independent labels like Expansion Records, this is both a challenge and an opportunity.

As they prepare to celebrate 40 years at the forefront of UK soul in 2026, Expansion exemplifies how to survive, and thrive, in a changing industry. By leaning into vinyl, embracing collector culture, and using streaming strategically, they show that independence and longevity can coexist in today’s marketplace.

For fans, this means more than just access to music. It’s about connecting with heritage, collecting pieces of history, and celebrating labels that have shaped the soundtrack of our lives.

 

In 2010, Expansion Records released a UK single by a then little-known American jazz and soul singer named Gregory Porter.  The track was "1960 What!", a politically charged anthem that cut through the noise of mainstream playlists and cookie-cutter pop productions.  It was a statement piece, steeped in history and groove, and it hinted at an artist destined for something bigger.  Expansion saw it before the rest of the industry caught on.  Today, Gregory Porter is one of the most recognisable jazz voices in the world; Grammy-winning, festival and critically acclaimed.  But in those early days, it was the independent labels that gave him a platform, Motema Music in New York, and Expansion Records in the UK, not the majors.  Further more, Expansion released a further single On My Way To Harlem in 2013, for the 7" vinyl market in a mix that made it more accessible to mainstream radio.

That story sums up the importance of labels like Expansion Records in today's music landscape.  Where once the US majors acted as gatekeepers, nurturing and developing acts for the long term, their priorities have shifted.  Artis development has been replaced by data chasing.  A&R meeting revolve around TikTok trends and Instagram metrics, not necessarily the strength of the music.  Unless an artist arrives with a ready-made audience and viral numbers, they are unlikely to be given a chance.  In that climate, independent soul labels have become more vital than ever.

Recognising Talent Beyond The Algorithm

When Expansion championed Gregory Porter, they did so because they heard the quality in his music.  They saw an artist with depth, substance and longevity; qualities that algorithms can't measure.  Porter was not a social media phenomenon in 2010.  He didn't need gimmicks or quick-fire content to sell his artistry; he had a voice, a message and authenticity.  Expansion was willing to back that, putting their weight behind a single that resonated with real listeners, not just playlists.

That willingness to recognise genuine talent, regardless of follower counts, is precisely what keeps soul music alive.  Expansion's catalogue is a testament to this ethos.  The label has consistently supported independent soul artists from around the world, offering them a home where the music itself takes precedence.  In an era where major labels are reluctant to invest unless the numbers are already stacked in their favour, Expansion acts as a counterbalance, ensuring that quality doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

The Major Label Shift

It's worth spelling out how start the contrast has become.  Once upon a time, the majors would take risks on acts who needed time to develop.  They'd fund tours, studio time and marketing with the understanding that an artist might not break until their second or even third album.  Think of how many legendary acts were nurtured that way.  But, with the streaming economics and quarterly profit reports now driving the machine, those days are gone.

Instead, majors increasingly wait until an artist has proven themselves independently, often through viral content or by building a huge organic following on social media.  Only then do the majors step in, usually with restrictive contracts that capitalise on an artists' existing audience rather than fostering their growth.  The emphasis is less on developing careers, more on monetising short-term popularity.

Expansion's Global Reach

This is where Expansion Records plays a crucial role.  It's not just about discovering talent; it's about giving independent soul artists from across the glove a platform that respects their craft.  Over the years, the label has worked with acts like Output/Input and Cornell CC Carter from the US; The Brit Funk Association from the UK and Tristan from Holland and beyond, uniting them under shared commitment to quality soul music.

For many of these artists, Expansion provides their first real connection to a wider audience.  The label's reputation within the soul community carries weight.  Collectors, DJs and fans know that if a record comes out on Expansion, it's worth paying attention to.  That stamp of approval is invaluable for independent artists trying to cut through in a saturated market.

Keeping The Soul Scene Alive

Beyond individual careers, labels like Expansion help to sustain an entire ecosystem.  The independent soul scene thrives on pysical releases, specialist radio shows, live gigs and dedicated festivals.  Expansion supports all of that by putting out music that DJs can spin, collectors can treasure and fans can rally around.

Without labels like this, much of that infrastructure would collapse.  Major are not interested in pressing limited-run 7-inches for collectors such as the forthcoming '7-inch Wonders of the World' collection, or in servicing niche radio shows with new underground cuts.  Expansion fills those gaps, keeping the culture alive.  The ripple effect is huge: artists gain exposure, fans get access to fresh talent and the scene maintains its vibrancy.

The Gregory Porter Effect

Gregory Porter's story is the perfect case study.  Expansion's early support helped him find an audience in the UK where soul and jazz communities were already receptive.  That momentum contributed to his eventual signing with Blue Note and his subsequent International breakthrough.  But had Expansion not recognised his potential, could he have reached those heights as quickly?  Or, at all?

It's easy to look back now, when Porter is selling out arenas and topping charts, and assume it was inevitable.  But, at the time, it wasn't.  He needed a label prepared to take a chance on him.  Expansion did exactly that.  And, while Porter may now be a household name, Expansion continues to provide the same lifeline for emerging artists who deserve to be heard.

Why it Still Matters Today

The landscape has only become tougher for independent soul artists in the years since "1960 What!" was released.  The dominance of streaming platforms, the pressure to go viral and the homogenisation of mainstream playlists all work against music that doesn't conform to the current algorithmic formula.

In that climate, the role of Expansion is not just important - it's essential.  By giving artists a platform based on quality rather than metrics, the label ensures that soul music continues to evolve, grow and inspire.  Without such outlets, we risk losing an entire generation of artists whose work may never fit neatly into a viral video but whose music speaks to the human experience in ways that truly matter.

Conclusion:  A Legacy of Substance

When Expansion Records released Gregory Porter's "1960 What!" in the UK, they weren't just putting out a single.  They were making a statement about the kind of music that deserves to be heard.  Porter's subscquent success proves they were right.  More importantly, it proves that there is still immense value in labels that look beyond the numbers and focus on nurturing genuine artistry.

In a world where majors increasingly act as venture capitalists chasing quick returns, Expansion stands as a reminder ofr what record labels are meant to do: discover, support and champion talent.  Independent soul artists - and their listeners who love them - owe a grate deal to labels like this.  Without them, the soul scene would be poorer; quieter and far less diverse.

Gregory Porter's journey is the headline example, but it's also just one of many.  Expansion continues to give a platform to artist who might otherwise be ignored.  And, as long as the majors prioritise algorithms over artistry, the role of independent labels like Expansion will only become more critical.  They're not just keeping the music alive; they're keeping the soul in soul.

Expansion Records celebrates its 40th Anniversary, 1986 to 2026.