XL Recordings is was originally an off-shoot from City Beat Records, managed by Tim Palmer and Nick Halkes. Best known in the early 90's for releasing many major hardcore tunes. Later launched the Ore label to release club-friendly house music and Concept In Dance for psy/Goa trance. See also the XL Recordings - The American Chapter compilation of early XL singles on American Recordings.

Since then the label has gone on to establish itself as one of the key independent dance music labels in the United Kingdom with star acts such as The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, The Avalanches, M.I.A., Dizzee Rascal, and Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke.

In autumn 2004, XL Recordings launched their XLXV series of re-issues to mark their 15th anniversary.