Shadow Records was launched in 1995 as a sub-label of Instinct Records, with a focus on the more organic side of the underground electronic music scene. The label's first release in 1995, Abstrackt Workshop, featured performances by DJ Krush, Funki Porcini, and Marden Hill in addition to songs from labels like Pussyfoot and Yellow Productions.
Shadow went on to release US debut CDs from DJ Krush, DJ Cam, Cujo, Shantel, James Hardway and Ollano. Shadow Records has also brought an array of artists to the US, having worked with such European underground labels as Stereo Deluxe, Freerange, Cup Of Tea, Five Star Recordings, Recordings Of Substance, Hospital, nineBAR, Infracom, and DiY.
Following Amon Tobin's (formerly Cujo) success with Bricolage under Ninja Tune, Shadow Records re-released Adventures in Foam, an early album of the artist's, with unapproved artwork and mistitled tracks. Such was the discrepancy that Ninja Tune saw fit to produce its own re-release in 2002, stating its position on Shadow Records' conduct rather harshly in the process.