Liljimmycrank Posted May 22, 2009 Posted May 22, 2009 When i first got into northern soul, and started reading up about any and every topic i could find relating to NS, it became immediately apparent that one of the most fascinating things about it, (in mine and im sure many others opinions), was the variety of labels and record companies who have issued such great music. The more digging and reading i did, the more i came to admire some of the label designs and unique styles of labels that were added to these great and often now expensive pieces of plastic. I've been fixated ever since! Considering some of these record companies didnt have the financial resources of some of the big players, its even more impressive that they managed to produce such spell binding art work on the labels. That got me to thinking, what is your favourite label? Not for the artists / music it produced, but for the art work? Could be a rare label, a one off, could be mass produced......what's your favourite, and why? If you own the record and have the abilty, load a scan too! To kick things off, i've always loved the Capitol label. It's not really a fancy design, but seeing those orange and yellow ying-yang esque swirls going round on a turn table is mesmerising. Arron
Guest Ste Brazil Posted May 22, 2009 Posted May 22, 2009 When i first got into northern soul, and started reading up about any and every topic i could find relating to NS, it became immediately apparent that one of the most fascinating things about it, (in mine and im sure many others opinions), was the variety of labels and record companies who have issued such great music. The more digging and reading i did, the more i came to admire some of the label designs and unique styles of labels that were added to these great and often now expensive pieces of plastic. I've been fixated ever since! Considering some of these record companies didnt have the financial resources of some of the big players, its even more impressive that they managed to produce such spell binding art work on the labels. That got me to thinking, what is your favourite label? Not for the artists / music it produced, but for the art work? Could be a rare label, a one off, could be mass produced......what's your favourite, and why? If you own the record and have the abilty, load a scan too! To kick things off, i've always loved the Capitol label. It's not really a fancy design, but seeing those orange and yellow ying-yang esque swirls going round on a turn table is mesmerising. Arron Loads of cool looking labels about, i like the 'Pzazz' label at the moment, the one on the 'Elevator song' Len Jewell - One on Manships at the moment:https://www.raresoulman.co.uk/auction/all-auction I also like the really primitive labels, i have a Funk track and the label was obviously (badly) hand drawn then given directly to the printers - Probably a bedroom operation by some young hopeful on a very limited budget! Ste.
Soul-slider Posted May 22, 2009 Posted May 22, 2009 I dig the 'USA' flag design label, especially when they come in the sleeves (very hard to get!). Not 100% Northern soul on the label though, some great garage bands too. As you know, when they did release Northern tunes, they are some of the most sought after 45s in the genre.
Quinvy Posted May 22, 2009 Posted May 22, 2009 (edited) Here's a few of my faves.... This looks hand drawn as does this one ] Just found this on ebay. Very colourfull Edited May 22, 2009 by quinvy
Hermanthegerman Posted May 22, 2009 Posted May 22, 2009 (edited) Edited May 22, 2009 by hermanthegerman
Liljimmycrank Posted May 22, 2009 Author Posted May 22, 2009 (edited) Here's a few of my faves.... Lovin that frantic records label design, i'd never even heard of the label before Nice post Quinvy, more scans peeps Edited May 23, 2009 by LilJimmyCrank
Citizen P Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 THE ENCHANTMENTS "IN LOVE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER" WITH PICTURES OF THE BANDS HEADS ALL CHEERY LOOKING,REALLY UNUSUAL AND ALWAYS MAKES ME SMILE AS WELL Think all of the FARO releases feature a picture of the Artist. Tony
soulsalmon Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 Think all of the FARO releases feature a picture of the Artist. Tony Barry White dont !
Citizen P Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 Barry White dont ! Bloody Nora, Can tell you're on the mend Anyway, I said I THINK. Tony
michael-j Posted May 24, 2009 Posted May 24, 2009 Barry White dont ! there's a joke there about not being enough room on the label! although of course really it's an earlier label design
Prophonics 2029 Posted May 24, 2009 Posted May 24, 2009 To kick things off, i've always loved the Capitol label. It's not really a fancy design, but seeing those orange and yellow ying-yang esque swirls going round on a turn table is mesmerising. If you let the disc spin the look at the cartridge (not on the record but in the standby position) the record in your peripheral vision it changes colours.
Jumpinjoan Posted May 25, 2009 Posted May 25, 2009 Lovin that frantic records label design, i'd never even heard of the label before Just wait till you hear the record! The Lovers is my favourite too but much prefer the demo. You can tell just by looking at it that it is going to kick some serious soul butt!
Guest posstot Posted May 25, 2009 Posted May 25, 2009 To kick things off, i've always loved the Capitol label. It's not really a fancy design, but seeing those orange and yellow ying-yang esque swirls going round on a turn table is mesmerising. If you let the disc spin the look at the cartridge (not on the record but in the standby position) the record in your peripheral vision it changes colours. I thought magic mushrooms grew in August!!
Daniel Harvey Posted May 27, 2009 Posted May 27, 2009 I gotta agree with you on the capitol records...very nice indeed. For me the ARCTIC label and 1960's RCA demos do the trick...both very pretty.
Thorsten Wegner Posted May 27, 2009 Posted May 27, 2009 i think this here is beautiful, tune is more funky than northern though..
Liljimmycrank Posted May 27, 2009 Author Posted May 27, 2009 i think this here is beautiful, tune is more funky than northern though.. Keep the scans coming
Guest Dave Turner Posted May 27, 2009 Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) I always remember first seeing Hype and thinking Wow what a great looking label. Edited May 27, 2009 by Dave Turner
Billy Jo Jim Bob Posted May 31, 2009 Posted May 31, 2009 Lovin that frantic records label design, i'd never even heard of the label before Nice post Quinvy, more scans peeps If you want scans there's about 4000 here: https://labelscans.anorakrecords.de/home.html Enjoy Andy
Liljimmycrank Posted May 31, 2009 Author Posted May 31, 2009 If you want scans there's about 4000 here: https://labelscans.anorakrecords.de/home.html Enjoy Andy Thanks Andy, some nice scans on there. Still interested to see people's favs
Diggin' Dave Posted May 31, 2009 Posted May 31, 2009 Reel records that released the Louis Curry tune have a similar design to the Capitol one, but imo it even looks better. Don't know why, but I've always loved label designs with fish on 'em (Phil-LA, Tarpon etc.)
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