The label
About Astrolabe Records
A small independent concern, established to give ambitious recordings the means to exist.
Astrolabe Records was established in England in 1978 as a small independent label intended to finance, record, manufacture, distribute and support ambitious music that did not fit comfortably within conventional label structures.
Its first release was Humble Wizard’s debut: ASTR 001 —Celestial Alchemy— 1978. What began as a practical arrangement quickly became the label’s central purpose.
As Humble Wizard’s recordings and productions became more elaborate, Astrolabe expanded alongside them, coordinating recording, manufacturing, publicity, visual design and increasingly complicated production logistics.
Between 1978 and 1983 Astrolabe issued four Humble Wizard studio albums. The label remained deliberately small, and its identity became closely tied to the band it was created to support.
Astrolabe Records continues today as custodian of the Humble Wizard catalog and archive.