3 Phase History

3 Phase Records was founded in 2007 by Tom Berry and James Ellis, two friends who had met through Birmingham’s hard house music scene. At the time, both were heavily involved in DJing and producing, and the label came about as a way to release their own tracks, tunes that they were already playing in their sets and getting good reactions to on dancefloors.

 

The label began as a digital-only platform, which made sense given the direction the industry was heading in. Tom focused mainly on the production side, creating the music and refining the sound of the label, while James handled the label management, marketing and promotion, getting the tracks out to the right people and building the 3 Phase brand.

 

To mark the launch of the label, they threw a night at Subway City in Birmingham, working alongside Alex Laird and his legendary BLUE night.

A UK tour soon followed with events up and down the UK working alongside brands such Bounce Heaven (Preston), Escape (Swansea), BLUE (Birmingham), Recycled (Isle Of Wight) and B.O.U.N.C.E (Norwich). They took an army of 3Phasers in a minibus to most events.

 

Over the years, 3 Phase carved out a name for itself in the UK hard dance scene. From day one, it stuck to its roots by releasing no-frills, underground hard dance music aimed squarely at the dancefloor. As the label grew, it also became a platform for other producers, helping to bring through fresh talent that matched the label’s style and energy.

In 2010, James Ellis stepped away from both the label and the music scene entirely to focus on his health and fitness career.

From that point on Tom Berry continued running 3 Phase, regularly signing new artists, and consistently releasing his own productions something he continues to do to this day.

In 2023 the label underwent a full image overhaul. 3 Phase also broadened its musical scope by opening up to a wider range of electronic genres, including Trance, while still keeping that trademark club-driven sound at its core.

By 2025, Tom decided it was time to take things further. Wanting to do more with the brand and stay true to the scene that inspired it.

He made a bold but fitting move: opening a physical record shop in the heart of Birmingham. The shop not only acts as a hub for local DJs and collectors but also brings 3 Phase Records full circle rooted in vinyl culture, community, and a genuine love for the underground.