Dug Out is a label devoted to reggae reissues, run by Mark Ainley and Mark Ernestus.

The former is co-owner of the Honest Jon’s record shop in West London, established in 1972. Besides the releases on the shop’s own label, reggae-wise he put together most of the Studio One series for Soul Jazz, the album Darker Than Blue with Blood And Fire, and various issues for two other imprints he managed, PK and Basic Replay.

The latter set up the Hard Wax shop in Berlin in 1989. As one half of the recording projects Basic Channel, Main Street, Maurizio, and Rhythm & Sound, he has worked regularly with the singer Paul St. Hilaire aka Tikiman, also with reggae legends like Willi(e) Williams, Cornel(l) Campbell and Sugar Minott. He co-managed the latest, extensive Bullwackies reissue programme, as well as Basic Replay.

Dug Out will be centred on high-quality vinyl reissues, especially from the digital era (though there will be CDs and downloads, roots and other reggae genres). Restoration will be done at Abbey Road Studio; mastering at Dubplates, by the co-owner CGB; and the records will be manufactured at Pallas.