Legal action has been launched against Chicago record label Trax for the exploitation of artists and their works. Controversy has long surrounded the label, with artists claiming to have seen little financial return for releases pressed on poor quality vinyl and often bootlegged without their permission.

Trax rose to notoriety for its association with acid house. It issued Phuture’s Acid Tracks 12" in 1987 and would go on to release a succession of proto-ghetto house records. Larry Heard – whose landmark Trax releases "Washing Machine” and “Can You Feel It” were released in 1986 – made the statement: “After doing several releases independently, it was so disappointing that my earliest ventures into the music business was with a label in the community that turned out to be dishonest, like with many other artists that we hear about all too often. We are simply seeking justice and fairness. Maybe, our efforts will shed light on the many predatory practices that have been in place for a long time in this industry.”

Robert Owens adds: “Trax’s treatment of those artists on its label is notorious to those in the electronic world. Many of my friends and fellow artists have been similarly treated. Hopefully this lawsuit will end Trax’s reign of non-payment. I’m grateful to TaP for their support in bringing this long overdue claim.”

As The Guardian has confirmed, the complaint states: “Talented, but unrepresented, musicians hungry for their first break were lulled into a business relationship with an unscrupulous record company that made promises it never intended to keep and masqueraded as paternalistic benefactors for those artists – like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Damages are expected to exceed $1 million.