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Our list of some of the record labels located in New Orleans during 1950-1980
ABS Records, 1960s-1970s soul label from New Orleans. ABS stands for "Always Better Sounds". Run by Camille Incardona and Wardell Quezergue.
AFO Records. Established by Harold Battiste was the first African-American owned label in New Orleans. Active 1961-64.
Arbet Records, distributed by Dover Records.
AXE Records, Distributed by Dover
Big Deal Records, 1960s-1980s soul label from New Orleans, founded in 1967 by writer-producer Marty Lewis, Jr., distributed by Dover Records.
Black Patch Records, 1960s soul label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records.
Booker Records, 1960s-1980s gospel label from New Orleans, owned by Robert Booker, distributed by Dover Records.
Bo-Sound, 1960s-2000s soul label from New Orleans owned by Eddie Bo.
Broadmoor Records, a label from the 1960s-80s, distributed by Dover Records
Deesu was a US soul record label founded by Allen Toussaint and Marshall E. Sehorn in the mid-60s in New Orleans. Associated with Sansu. Early releases from the label were distributed by Dover Records.
Doubloon Records, 1960s-1980s label from New Orleans, owned by Frankie Ford, distributed by Dover Records.
Dover Records, national distribution company founded in 1965 by legendary sound engineer Cosimo Matassa. As the distributor of dozens of local and regional record labels, Dover’s mission was to provide a way for the music of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast to be heard by a wider audience. See A Closer Walk NOLA for more
EL-TEE Records 1960s soul label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records. See A Closer Walk NOLA for more
Eight Ball Records, 1960s soul label from New Orleans, Louisiana, operated by Lionel Worthy Sr., distributed by Dover Records.
Etah, 1960s soul label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records.
Flame Records 1950s-1960s label from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Frisco Records, 1960s R&B label from New Orleans, launched in 1962 by Connie LaRocca & Harold Atkins.
Gatur Records, 1960s-1980s soul label from New Orleans, owned by Ulis Gaines and Wilson Turbinton, hence the name Ga-Tur.
Hotline Records, 1960s label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records. Sublabel of NOLA Records.
Instant Records was formed in 1961 in New Orleans, by Joe Banashak and financed by local record shop owner Irving Smith. Instant's biggest succes was Chris Kenner, including the 1962 #2 smash "I Like It Like That".
Duchess Records, sublabel of Instant Records.
Frisco Records, launched in 1962 by Connie LaRocca & Harold Atkins. See A Closer Walk NOLA for more
Hep' Me Records 1970s-2000s soul label from New Orleans, Louisiana, founded by Senator Jones.
Jenmark 1970s soul label, sublabel of Hep' Me Records
Manhattan Records, 1960s label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records.
Marathon Records, 1960s soul label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records.
Minit Records was established in 1959 by Joe Banashak, who also owned Instant Records. Minit Records was acquired by Hollywood based Imperial Records in 1963.
Pitter-Pat Records, 1960s soul label from New Orleans, owned by Huey "Piano" Smith, distributed by Dover Records.
New Orleans Records: Founded by Orin Blackstone in the 1930s, this label documented traditional jazz from its book and record shop on Baronne Street, becoming a surprise local hit with Johnny Wiggs's "Bourbon Street Bounce".
NOLA Records: Established in 1963 by Wardell Quezergue, this label achieved its biggest hit with Robert Parker's "Barefootin'" in 1966. Distributed by Dover Records.
New Orleans Soul. PO Box 15110, NO LA 70115 -- B.B. Daddy, "You Better Get It"
Par-Lo Distributed by Dover
Power: A sub-label of Scram Records, it also released music by artists like Walter "Wolfman" Washington and Mary Jane Hooper. The label eventually became Power-Pac. a 1960s-1970s R&B and soul label from New Orleans, Louisiana.
REX Records Operated by Dover/Cosimo
Ric Records and Ron Records: founded in 1959 by Joe Ruffino at 630 Baronne Street, these labels released local talent like Professor Longhair and Irma Thomas until Ruffino's death in 1962.
Ring Records, 1960s label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records.
Rosemont Records: Founded in 1969, this label was a home for local gospel, jazz, and soul artists like the Zion Harmonizers and Willie Tee. It also housed a studio used by punk label 'Lectric Eye.
Safari, 1960s soul label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records.
Sansu American record label located in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded by Allen Toussaint and Marshall E. Sehorn in 1965.
Scram Records: Founded by Al Scramuzza the "Crawfish King," in 1969, this label released music from artists like Eddie Bo and Walter "Wolfman" Washington & the Pony Express.
Shagg Records, 1960s-1970s soul label from New Orleans, owned by Senator Jones, distributed by Dover Records.
Soul Sound, 1960s-1980s soul label from New Orleans, founded by Isaac Bolden. Associated with Soulin', distributed by Dover Records.
Soulin', 1960s-1990s soul label from New Orleans, Louisiana, founded by Isaac Bolden, distributed by Dover Records.
Super Dome Records 1970s-1980s soul label, sublabel of Hep' Me Records
Syla Records, 1980s jazz and soul label from New Orleans
Tail-Gate Records, 1960s soul label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records.
Trend Records, 1960s label from New Orleans, distributed by Dover Records.
Tou-Sea Records, 1960s soul label from New Orleans. Owned by Allen Toussaint and nationally distributed by Amy-Mala-Bell Records Inc.
Trumpet Records -- 1964-5 R&B label from New Orleans
Tune-Kel Records, 1960s-1970s label from New Orleans, founded by Joe Banashak, distributed by Dover Records.
U-Doe Records 1960s label from New Orleans, owned by Frank J. Uddo, distributed by Dover Records.
Watch Records, New Orleans, 1960s-1970s R&B and soul label, was a combination of the energies of Earl King and Wardell Quezergue. Label roster included Professor Longhair. Label was picked up for distribution by London Records for the last five releases (45-1900 through 45-1904).
Whit Records, 1960s-1970s label from New Orleans, owned by Lionel Whitfield. Sublabel of Jewel Records in Shreveport.
White Cliffs Records New Orleans label / publisher active in the 1960's and owned by Cosimo V. Matassa.
Whurley Burley Records, 1960s soul label from New Orleans, sublabel of NOLA Records, distributed by Dover Records.
Wonder Records, founded by Victor Augustine, owner of the eponymous Curio Shop.See A Closer Walk NOLA for more.
Other labels in Louisiana, Mississippi, & Texas, of interest to New Orleans music during 1950-1980.
Ace Records, Jackson, MS
Apollo Records, 1960s label from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Casino Records, 1960s label from Atlanta. Distributed by Dover Records.
Crazy Cajun Enterprises was a Houston area record company co-founded around 1960 by AM-Radio DJ Crazy Cajun Huey P. Meaux and Tex-Mex producer Foy Lee. It owned a host of labels: American Playboy Records, Jetstream Records, L. And K. Records, Praise Records, Princess Records, Rival, Tear Drop, The Crazy Cajun Records, Trash Records, Ventural.
Cross Records, 1960s-1970s label from Houma, Louisiana
Fais Do Do from 1950s label from Crowley, Louisiana, J. D. Miller
Feature Records from 1950s label from Crowley, Louisiana, J. D. Miller
Goldband Records, Lake Charles, LA
Golden Records, Baton Rouge, LA
Jewel, Ronn, and Paula Records est by Stan Lewis in Shreveport
Jin Records, Ville Platte, LA, Floyd Soileau
J-Mer Records, 1960s soul label from Baton Rouge
La Louisiane Records, Lafayette, LA
Maison de Soul Records, Ville Platte, LA, Floyd Soileau
Montel Records, Baton Rouge, LA
San Records, 1960s label from Houston, Texas
Swallow (Cajun), Ville Platte, LA, Floyd Soileau
Some notable national labels of interest to New Orleans music during 1950-1980
Aladdin Records, Beverly Hills, CA
Amy Records, New York record label founded in 1960 as a subsidiary of Bell Records
ATCO American record label founded in 1955 as a subsidiary of Atlantic Records
Bella Records founded by John Pusateri who had moved from Louisiana, in San Jose and later started a related label, Blue Moon Records, in Santa Clara in 1957.
DeLuxe Records: Though based in New Jersey, DeLuxe signed New Orleans R&B artists like Dave Bartholomew and Smiley Lewis.
Ebb, Los Angeles, CA - 1950s USA label from, owned by Lee Rupe.
Excello Records, Nashville, TN - an American blues independent record label, started by Ernie Young in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, in 1953 as a subsidiary of Nashboro, a gospel label.
Imperial Records, Hollywood, CA. Fats Domino's label for the first decade of his career, and distributor for Minit Records.
Josie Records was a subsidiary of Jubilee Records in New York City that was active from 1954 to 1971.
Post Records, Hollywood, CA
Savoy Records is an American record company and label established by Herman Lubinsky in 1942 in Newark, New Jersey. Savoy specialized in jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel music.
Specialty Records, Los Angeles. "Art Rupe, head of Specialty Records of Los Angeles, had scored huge New Orleans-recorded hits with “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” by Lloyd Price (1952), “The Things That I Used To Do” by Guitar Slim (1954), and “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard (1955). In 1957, on a roll with a great run of Little Richard follow-up hits, Rupe felt the time was right to open a New Orleans branch office" which operated until 1959 and would employ the young Harold Battiste, who would found AFO Records a in the early 1960s. See A Closer Walk NOLA for more.
Lagniappe
Some notable post-1980 New Orleans record labels
Basin Street Records
Big Boy Records, important local hip-hop label
Cash Money Records: Founded in 1991 by brothers "Birdman" and "Slim" Williams, this label became a dominant force in hip-hop, achieving massive success with artists like Juvenile and Lil Wayne through its distribution deal with Universal. https://acloserwalknola.com/places/cash-money-records-office/
No Limit Records: Founded by Master P, this label was a major player in the 1990s hip-hop scene, signing artists such as Mystikal and Silkk the Shocker.
Pack Records , Big Fess and Don Juan of the DJ group Full Pack https://acloserwalknola.com/places/odyssey-records/
Take Fo' Records: An influential label in the early New Orleans hip-hop scene that helped lay the groundwork for other labels.
A Few References:
64Parishes article on Louisiana Record Labels https://64parishes.org/entry/louisiana-record-labels
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Jim Dawson and Steve Propes, 45 RPM: The History, Heroes & Villains of a Pop Music Revolution, Backbeat Books, 2003.
