Mannequin Records


Mannequin Records is an independent record label based in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in Rome in 2008 by Italian DJ and producer Alessandro Adriani. The label specializes in reissuing obscure post-punk, cold wave, and industrial music from the late 1970s and 1980s, as well as releasing contemporary electronic and experimental works.

History

Mannequin Records was established in Rome in 2008 by Alessandro Adriani and Carlo Cassaro, initially as a platform to reissue rare and out-of-print European minimal synth, post-punk, and industrial recordings. Early recognition came with the compilation Danza Meccanica – Italian Synth Wave 1982–1987, which introduced international audiences to obscure Italian acts.
After Adriani relocated to Berlin, the label grew in scale and direction. While maintaining its archival mission with reissues of groups such as Bourbonese Qualk, Nocturnal Emissions, and Red Temple Spirits, Mannequin began fostering new music rooted in industrial, EBM, and techno. Artists such as Tropic of Cancer, JASSS, Black Merlin, and Adriani himself became associated with the imprint.
By the 2010s, Mannequin had become internationally recognized. *Bandcamp Daily* described the label’s catalog as spreading “cold waves” for “collectors and club-going types,” while Carhartt WIP highlighted its growth from a mail-order project into a catalog of more than 140 releases. *Resident Advisor* summarized the label under the tagline “Spreading cold waves since 2008.”

Notable artists

Artists and groups whose work has been released or reissued by Mannequin Records include:
  • Bourbonese Qualk
  • Nocturnal Emissions
  • Red Temple Spirits
  • Tropic of Cancer
  • JASSS
  • Black Merlin
  • Beau Wanzer
  • Silent Servant
  • Ron Morelli
  • The Hacker
  • Alessandro Adriani
  • Dissemblance
  • group A

    Selected releases

Examples of archival and contemporary projects on Mannequin Records include:
  • Danza Meccanica – Italian Synth Wave 1982–1987
  • Red Temple Spirits – Dancing to Restore an Eclipsed Moon
  • Red Temple Spirits – If Tomorrow I Were Leaving for Lhasa, I Wouldn't Stay a Minute More...
  • Monuments – Age
  • Musumeci – Schwarz Morgen / Zusammen
  • Various Artists – Waves of the Future
  • Dissemblance – Over The Sand
  • group A – anOther
  • Jing – Artificial Salvation
  • Children Of The Night – ''Children Of The Night''

    Reception

Critics have praised Mannequin Records for both its archival role and its influence on contemporary electronic music. *I Die: You Die* described it as a label with “keen musical instincts” curating darkwave and electro releases with archival care. *The Quietus* and *Fact Magazine* have highlighted its importance in reintroducing overlooked post-punk and industrial records while maintaining a forward-facing catalog.