Top 3 labels that only have one known release which is a classic:

 

Topic title edited to: Best three Records On Labels That Are One-Offs (you're right George that does read better)

 

With such a lengthy topic title let me explain how it became so........

 

The continual list maker in me loved compiling or starting to compile label discographies and it was back in 2007 that I started delving into a certain label out of Louisville, Kentucky. Now I'd only ever seen one release on this imprint but was delighted to obtain details of a second 45 that slipped out later barely un-noticed. 

 

My thread bare notes soon got submerged way deeper than deep into my hard drive and were forgotten about until I stumbled upon them purely by chance a week or so ago.

 

On re-reading my scribbles I suddenly thought of an interesting sort of thread but as I was developing what words to use another possible thread (which I don't think has been covered before) came screaming out of somewhere/nowhere to take first spot.

 

What labels have only ever had one known release and that solitary lone 45 has become a rock solid bona fide nailed on ball banging classic?

 

And then mi mind went blank. Phut. The light was on but nobody was home. Nothing was coming out.

 

I'd thought of a question but couldn't think of a single answer to it.

 

And I didn't cheat by wading through various guides or spending hours on the web and yes I know I'll be mildly embarrassed possibly by the answers other readers might send in.

 

So I ask again what labels have only ever had one known release and that solitary lone 45 has become a rock solid bona fide nailed on ball banging classic?

 

And from that list what would be the Top 3.

 

The only answer that popped into my mind (eventually) was the Bonnie label and their one-off never to be repeated Magnetics 45. That's gotta be in the top 3 surely.

 

Any ideas for the other 2?

 

Derek

 

Oh and obscurities that only a few have ever heard of don't count - gotta be well known classics.

Edited May 28, 201312 yr by Derek Pearson

The question should probably read 'best three records on labels that are one-offs'. For most of these, there is no 'label', it's a vanity recording paid for by the artist or a benefactor close to the artist.

 

Mello Souls?

Luther Ingram- "If It's All The Same To You Babe"/ "Exus Trek" on H.I.B. ?

Larry Clinton- "She's Wanted" Dynamo- this Dynamo  wasn't related to the label distributed by Musicor.

  Can't think of a third one....

Edited May 28, 201312 yr by the yank

Nomads - Somethin's Bad - Mo-Groov ?

 

Conony 13 - Greater Experience ??

Edited May 28, 201312 yr by Mick Holdsworth

robby lawson - kyser

john & wierdest - tie

chandlers - col-soul

larry allen - green dolphin

tamala lewis - marton

servicemen - chartmaker

servicemen - wind hit

eric mercury - sac

melvin davis - wheel city

billy arnell - holly

construction - sync 6

lynn vernardo - yummie

ambassadors - pee vee

soul set - bi-me

sandy hadley - so-char

Edited May 28, 201312 yr by trev thomas

tamala lewis - marton

servicemen - chartmaker

melvin davis - wheel city

ambassadors - pee vee

 

There are more than one release on these labels Trev. 

  On 28/05/2013 at 09:23, Tony Smith said:

 

tamala lewis - marton

servicemen - chartmaker

melvin davis - wheel city

ambassadors - pee vee

 

There are more than one release on these labels Trev. 

 

 

i wasn't 100% sure, i'll edit list, cheers tony

  On 28/05/2013 at 01:28, George G said:

For most of these, there is no 'label', it's a vanity recording paid for by the artist or a benefactor close to the artist.

 

What a great statement George I'd never really thought about these one-off releases like that (or if I did I'd forgotten).

 

Great replies chaps and every record suggested were blindingly obvious and made me go "Doh! Of course; how could I forget that....."

 

Nice One.

 

Derek

  On 28/05/2013 at 09:08, trev thomas said:

servicemen - wind hit

construction - sync 6

These two labels also had more than one release.

  On 28/05/2013 at 07:33, Mick Holdsworth said:

Nomads - Somethin's Bad - Mo-Groov ?

Conony 13 - Greater Experience ??

There are country records on Colony 13 Mick, not that I have come across them, no more soul though.

Mellow souls on Mellow. Cheers Chris.

Ps spelt it wrong,but you know what I mean.

court davis-try to think-east cost

Eddie Parker-    Love You Baby  -  Ashford 1

Magnetics Lady in green Bonnie ?

Lots of other records on this label

  On 28/05/2013 at 17:26, dobber said:

court davis-try to think-east cost

  On 28/05/2013 at 18:09, Rick Cooper said:

Eddie Parker-    Love You Baby  -  Ashford 1

 

Besides Eddie Parker "I'm Gone", are there any other records on the Awake label? (not to be confused with different Awake labels) - if not, that one gets my vote for #1

  On 28/05/2013 at 09:08, trev thomas said:

chandlers - col-soul

soul set - bi-me

The Soul Set is a pefect example of the non label vanity press. I guess this was recorded at Arthur Smith studio in Charlotte,

 

The Col-Soul label was supposed to be a label used for soul artists that were recorded at Musicol in Columbus, OH. I talked to studio owner John Hull and Jeff Smith about this 15-20 years ago. There was supposed to be two labels, Ironbeat for rock and Col-Soul for soul. Ironbeat had several releases but for various reasons Col Soul only had the one 45. Weird because the Chandlers record sold a lot more copies than any of the Ironbeat rock/garage 45s.

There are also other releases on

East Coast

Green Dolphin

Sac

Holly

and  So-char

 

What about  Genebro - Margaret Little, and Harper-Soul - Benny Harper

  On 28/05/2013 at 18:27, Ted Massey said:

Magnetics Lady in green Bonnie ?

4 or 5 releases on Bonnie  Ted

  On 28/05/2013 at 18:29, George G said:

Besides Eddie Parker "I'm Gone", are there any other records on the Awake label? (not to be confused with different Awake labels) - if not, that one gets my vote for #1

Shane Hunter Sweet Things

Emmitt Long - Call Me - Donoyia

 

 - Kev

  On 28/05/2013 at 18:37, Dazz said:

4 or 5 releases on Bonnie  Ted

would like to see them Dazz

How about these?:

 

Patti Young - Head And Shoulders (Above The Rest) on Ernstrat

 

Nelson Sanders - Mojo Man (Rambler)

 

Four Tracks - Like My Love For You (Mandingo) - is there anything else on this logo?   

 

Joe L - (I'm Not Gonna be) Worried (Clissac)

 

Jack Montgomery - Don't Turn Your Back On Me (Barracuda)

 

Cheers

 

Richard

Isn't there a Gloria and the Relations release on Bonnie ?

  On 28/05/2013 at 19:13, Ted Massey said:

would like to see them Dazz

To be fair Ted probably not the Magnetics Bonnie label but a selection of Doo Wop and Funk on Bonnie, nowt you'd be interested in

Other records on Barracuda and possibly a Barons record on Ernstrat

How about Ellipsis on Briarmeade and  Sharp-etts on Perma-Hit

  On 28/05/2013 at 20:14, the yank said:

Isn't there a Gloria and the Relations release on Bonnie ?

Date with a man/Hook line and sinker 101  as said though Dave probably not the Magnetics label

How are you mate by the way?  I'll PM you later

Dazz

  On 28/05/2013 at 20:19, Dazz said:

Other records on Barracuda and possibly a Barons record on Ernstrat

 

 

There is more than one Barracuda label e.g. Billy Watson is different label.

 

That Barons rings a bell actually - what the score?

 

Cheers

 

Richard

Edited May 28, 201312 yr by Premium Stuff

  On 28/05/2013 at 20:23, Premium Stuff said:

There is more than one Barracuda label e.g. Billy Watson is different label.

 

That Barons rings a bell actually - what the score?

 

Cheers

 

Richard

Barons  Since you're gone/My smile is bigger (than your smile) issued definately on RCA  but rumoured on Ernstrat

talking of rumoured records isn't  Jock Mitchell  Chance in a million supposed to be on Barracuda?

 

Dazz

  On 28/05/2013 at 20:30, Dazz said:

Barons  Since you're gone/My smile is bigger (than your smile) issued definately on RCA  but rumoured on Ernstrat

talking of rumoured records isn't  Jock Mitchell  Chance in a million supposed to be on Barracuda?

 

Dazz

 

RCA is a different Barons group isn't it - not the group on Soul etc. The label says produced for Holton Records.

 

Never heard that about Jock Mitchell on Barracuda 

 

Cheers

 

Richard

Anyone know why Eddie Parker - Love You Baby- was the only release on Ashford?The label did overseas deals, had a special designed logo and pressed demos so probably not a vanity project. Has Ms Chandler said anything about the label?

 

Any explanation of the other one-off labels?

 

Rick

  On 28/05/2013 at 20:19, Dazz said:

To be fair Ted probably not the Magnetics Bonnie label but a selection of Doo Wop and Funk on Bonnie, nowt you'd be interested in

Other records on Barracuda and possibly a Barons record on Ernstrat

How about Ellipsis on Briarmeade and  Sharp-etts on Perma-Hit

theres no release number on the Magnetics label

  On 28/05/2013 at 20:14, the yank said:

Isn't there a Gloria and the Relations release on Bonnie

This is the red label Bonnie I'm sure this is New York release ..but could be wrong.

  On 28/05/2013 at 20:52, sharmo 1 said:

This is the red label Bonnie I'm sure this is New York release ..but could be wrong.

Your right on that Simon

  On 28/05/2013 at 21:09, Gilly said:

Your right on that Simon

you boys are boffins te he

I know that there was 2 issues on the label (but the other wasn;t soul as far as i'm aware) so i'm going to put in

The Sheltons=  Find it = Bar-bare.

No, but I think one of the people behind this record did something else on a different label later - It was too modern for me to pay close attention.

 

BTW the street name is mispelled on the label. It should be Dorr Ave. A few blocks down on the same street was Clarks record store and the Clarks/Glass City label - Romona (sic) Collins, Casuals, Jimmy Holloway.....

 

 

  On 28/05/2013 at 19:27, Premium Stuff said:

How about these?:

 

 

Four Tracks - Like My Love For You (Mandingo) - is there anything else on this logo?   

 

 

  On 29/05/2013 at 02:34, George G said:

No, but I think one of the people behind this record did something else on a different label later - It was too modern for me to pay close attention.

 

 

magnificent opinions on skippyophonic?

  On 28/05/2013 at 18:37, Dazz said:

4 or 5 releases on Bonnie  Ted

On Duke Browner's Bonnie Records out of Detroit?  I'd love to know about those.  I hadn't heard about any others.  Can we see a list with catalogue numbers?

  On 29/05/2013 at 04:15, RobbK said:

On Duke Browner's Bonnie Records out of Detroit?  I'd love to know about those.  I hadn't heard about any others.  Can we see a list with catalogue numbers?

I think he was getting confused Robb, as i said there's no label number on Lady in green

  On 28/05/2013 at 20:19, Dazz said:

To be fair Ted probably not the Magnetics Bonnie label but a selection of Doo Wop and Funk on Bonnie, nowt you'd be interested in

Other records on Barracuda and possibly a Barons record on Ernstrat

How about Ellipsis on Briarmeade and  Sharp-etts on Perma-Hit

 

There are other releases on Briarmeade, such as at least 2 Frankie Ford 45s.

  On 29/05/2013 at 00:05, gogs said:

I know that there was 2 issues on the label (but the other wasn;t soul as far as i'm aware) so i'm going to put in

The Sheltons=  Find it = Bar-bare.

 

not even close:

 

https://greenvilleandbeyond.wordpress.com/labels/bar-bare/

  On 29/05/2013 at 07:42, boba said:

not even close:

 

https://greenvilleandbeyond.wordpress.com/labels/bar-bare/

Learn something new every day, Thanks Bob.

  On 28/05/2013 at 18:35, Dazz said:

There are also other releases on

Green Dolphin

Sac

Holly

Really, I've never had the pleasure...anything any good?

Antwans is a good one, on I assume their own label 'Snawtna', god I had to concentrate to write that down

 

521 records is another maybe?  one Soul 45 of note in Paul Waters, the rest are, well.... erm, not soul really, you might say R&B'ish, lots of Novelty 45's... Ive certainly not come across anything else that's as good as the Walters 45, and boy have I looked..

 

How about these, Margaret Glover on MAG, Majestic on Equator, Nora Lee on Westwood, Franciscans on JIMBO, The Phanton on Karisma....

 

Melvin Elling on Stretch perhaps, never seen another soul 45 on that label, Johnny Stewart on START, again just the one 45, and come to think of it, Dee Dee Warwick on HERD? I might be wrong but these all seem to 'just the one'...

 

Mal.C

Edited May 29, 201312 yr by Mal.C.

  On 29/05/2013 at 13:58, Mal.C. said:

 

How about these, Margaret Glover on MAG, Majestic on Equator, Nora Lee on Westwood, Franciscans on JIMBO, The Phanton on Karisma....

 

 

There are at least two other releases on MAG mate 

 

I have the Chanels on MAG and a scan of another one somewhere.

 

Cheers

 

Richard

Edited May 29, 201312 yr by Premium Stuff

Several other records on Westwood, most notably the Soul Toranadoes

 

Does anyone think the Franciscans, Nora Lee, Antwans  are "classics"? I thought the idea for this topic was to include consensus all time great soul, or Northern Soul, records.....don't think any of these would be so.

 

  On 29/05/2013 at 13:58, Mal.C. said:

Antwans is a good one, on I assume their own label 'Snawtna', god I had to concentrate to write that down

..

 

How about these, Margaret Glover on MAG, Majestic on Equator, Nora Lee on Westwood, Franciscans on JIMBO, The Phanton on Karisma....

 

Chico Lamar, What Do You Think I Am, Fuller

I did think Pat & The Blenders on Fast Eddie, but discogs have another record on it. 

Does anyone think the Franciscans, Nora Lee, Antwans are "classics"? I thought the idea for this topic was to include consensus all time great soul, or Northern Soul, records.....don't think any of these would be so.

 

----------

 

Just go right ahead my friend, you be a blunt as you need to be...

 

Mal.C

 

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 201312 yr by Mal.C.

  On 29/05/2013 at 04:15, RobbK said:

On Duke Browner's Bonnie Records out of Detroit?  I'd love to know about those.  I hadn't heard about any others.  Can we see a list with catalogue numbers?

Hi Rob

As I said I don't think they are anything to do with the Detroit Label 

Chuck Bennett   Bonnie 101

Gloria & Relations   already mentioned

Happy Daze      Bonnie  101

Tokays              Bonnie  102

 

 

  On 29/05/2013 at 07:07, Ted Massey said:

I think he was getting confused Robb, as i said there's no label number on Lady in green

No number on label Ted but isn't 107374 on the deadwax somewhere?

 

  On 29/05/2013 at 07:40, mshoals said:

There are other releases on Briarmeade, such as at least 2 Frankie Ford 45s.

Didn't know about those, should have guessed with Ellipsis being 7604

 

  On 29/05/2013 at 13:44, Flynny said:

Really, I've never had the pleasure...anything any good?

Hi Dave

There's a tune by Billy Prince and the wonderously titled Porky Chedwick - Porkology/Can I change my mind on Green Dolphin also one by Joey G

On SAC  Paul Varisco & Milestones

On Holly  Ronnie North and also Robert Epps   probably not the Billy Arnell  Holly though

 

What about Soul Bros Inc on Golden Eye?

  On 29/05/2013 at 16:52, MrsWoodsrules said:

Chico Lamar, What Do You Think I Am, Fuller

I did think Pat & The Blenders on Fast Eddie, but discogs have another record on it. 

 

there are a bunch of releases on fuller and sister label C&F.

 

pat and the blenders already have two records on fast eddie, i think there is a record by butterball (the philly DJ) on it and at least one other thing