President label and info by Pete Smith

President label info by Pete Smith 1997

PRESIDENT

A lesser known but very long-lasting record label, President began in 1967 and was still issueing records in the late 80's in one form or another. Although not exclusively a soul label, President was pretty on the ball when it came to discotheque demand and you'll find many classics here. The label was owned by Ed Kassner and was the parent label to Jayboy, issuing material from, by the looks of things, mainly West Coast labels, although there was a good supply of records leased from Chicago labels such as Mar-V-Lus. In line with many of the labels looked at in this book most of the releases can be picked up for a few pounds whereas one particular record is very hard to locate. More on that later.

The label was yellow with a large logo at the top, with black lettering. Demos use the same label but with a large red A.

Another President affiliated label, Joy, issued many of the singles listed here on their Keep The Faith series of albums in the early 70's.

Here are some discs to look out for:

109 Johnny Wyatt - This Thing Called Love. Fabulous dancer from L.A. which was a monster in the early 70's.

118 Jimmy Robins - I Can't Please You. A real mystery record. This is nigh on impossible to find on UK President, whereas almost every other release is very common. In the mid-80's, President still had several copies in their warehouse and were offering them at 750 each. What happened next isn't known, but the record suddenly became popular and all but disappeared. Copies have been seen on sale at over £100, but this is a ridculous price. As for the record, it's a stunning, gritty Chicago dancer and comes highly recommended by just about everyone.

136 Young Folk - Lonely Girl. This discography contains many records with prices running into three figures which, in all honesty, are awful - just very rare. At the other end of the spectrum there are many records which are relatively cheap and easy to find but which are absolutely brilliant. This is one of them. Immaculate girl vocal from the One-Der-Ful label out of Chicago (where it was also released with the artist given as Miss Madeline), this must surely be the best cheapie of the lot.

139 Barry White - All In The Run Of A Day. Barry's first UK release and a fairly hard to find beat ballad which is growing in popularity.

317 Darlettes - Lost. A sublime Van McCoy production which, while not being out and out Northern Soul, still possesses enough of the right ingredients to make it a popular choice for beat ballad fans.

PT WITCHES & the WARLOCK Behind locked doors / 5/6

108 VIOLA WILLS I got love / Lost without the love of my guy 5/6

109 JOHNNY WYATT This thing called love / To whom it may concern 6/10

110 PAT HERVEY &THE TIARAS Can't get you out of my mind / Givin' in 5/6

115 ALVIN CASH No deposits, no returns / The philly freeze 5/6

118 JIMMY ROBINS I can't please you / I made it over 60/75

119 ALVIN CASH Alvin's boogaloo / Let's do some good timing 4/5

120 FELICE TAYLOR It may be winter outside / Winter again 4/5

123 CASINOS I still love you / Then you can tell me goodbye 5/6

124 TWO OF CLUBS Walk tall like a man / So blue is fall 5/6

129 ALVIN CASH Doin' the Ali shuffle / Feel so good 3/4

136 YOUNG FOLK Lonely girl / Joey 6/8

139 BARRY WHITE All in the run of a day / Don't take your love from me 10/12 142 LONNIE MACK Snow on the mountain / Save your money 5/6

147 ALVIN CASH The charge / Different strokes for different folks 4/5

148 OTIS CLAY Show place / That's how it is 6/8

150 VIOLA WILLS Together forever / Don't kiss me hello 5/6

154 VIOLA WILLS Anytime / You're out of my mind 5/6

155 FELICE TAYLOR I feel love comin' on / Comin' on again 4/5

171 WILLIE PARKER I live the life I love / You got your finger in my eye 3/4

193 FELICE TAYLOR I can feel your love (coming down on me) / Captured by your love 4/5

215 BETTY EVERETT Getting mighty crowded / It's in his kiss 3/4

221 WATSON T. BROWNE Crying all night / I close my eyes 4/5

232 TERRY LINDSEY It's over / One day up one day down 5/6

234 GENE CHANDLER Stand by me / Duke of earl 2/3

253 BETTY EVERETT You're no good / Hands off 3/4

263 BILLY PRESTON Billy's bag / Goldfinger 3/4

311 BELLES Don't pretend / Words can't explain 5/7

317 DARLETTES Lost / Sweet kind of loneliness 6/8

322 WILSON PICKETT I can't stop / Down to my last heartbreak 4/5

351 ALVIN CASH Twine time / Twine awhile 4/5

372 BETTY EVERETT Trouble over the weekend / The shoe don't fit 5/6

373 DONTELLS In your heart (you know I'm right) / Nothing but nothing 5/6

382 DU-ETTES Every beat of my heart / Sugar daddy 5/6

398 DU-ETTES Please forgive me / Lonely days 4/5

399 SHARPEES Tired of being lonely / Just to please you 5/6