Kick Off 188 was released twice (first, I believe, as "Garland Davis" (error?), and with B-side title "Leave Me alone", and 2nd as "Garlon Davis", with "I'm Begging You(leave Me Alone).
I'm pretty sure he was the same Garland Davis from Texas, who started singing in the 1950s. Yes, Merging (Peace and Soul) Records was a sister label to Kick Off Records, as well as to Progress Records. All 3 were located in L.A., and seemingly run by Zeke Strong A&R man, producer and arranger, and a local band leader. I don't know if Strong owned the labels outright, had a financial partner fund the labels, or was not an owner, but just ran the labels. Larry Johnson also produced and was involved at Progress Records (He may have been a part-owner). All scans below containing NO black backgrounds courtesy of Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven.
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By rob_k at 2012-01-16
By rob_k at 2012-01-16
By rob_k at 2012-01-16
By rob_k at 2012-01-16