Proper Records, powered by Utopia, is an English record label founded by Malcolm Mills. Commencing with a handful of releases, the label grew in stature and renown through its Properbox series, whose lavishly packaged and eruditely annotated 4-CD box sets established an unprecedented standard for reissue products available at a budget price. Featuring jazz, country and rock ‘n’ roll artists, these now exceed 150 releases.
These days, the label has become better known for releasing new albums by renowned and contemporary artists such as Richard Thompson, Bill Wyman, Paul Brady, Allison Moorer, Tom Russell, Gretchen Peters, Loudon Wainwright III, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, Nick Lowe, Mary Gauthier, Diana Jones, Nanci Griffith, Bill Kirchen, Jimmie Vaughan, Dr. John, The Waterboys, Angelique Kidjo, Los Lobos, Asleep At The Wheel, Texas Tornados, Paul Heaton, Andy McKee, Cowboy Junkies, Elizabeth Cook, Art Garfunkel, Don McLean, Dave Rotheray, Jimmy Webb, Pete Brown, Dennis Locorriere, Ian McLagan, Ruthie Foster, Sonny Landreth, Little Feat, Andy Fairweather Low, Baddies, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Hot Club Of Cowtown, Robyn Hitchcock, The Features, Tim O’ Brien, Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham and many more. In addition, Proper houses a subsidiary jazz label, Specific Jazz, whose roster currently includes Jacqui Dankworth, Jay Phelps, Tony Kofi, Anita Wardell, Alan Barnes as well as the annual BBC JAZZ AWARDS compilation.
The company operates out of the Proper Music Group headquarters in Dartford, Kent.