Summer Records

Page history last edited by Joakim Kalcidis 2 yrs ago

Canadian label launched in 1974 by Jerry Brown and Oswald Creary - recordings was done on Creary's studio equipment. The first release was »Love Makes The World Go Round« by Johnny Osbourne and Bunny Brown (the latter uncredited on the label). In 1975 Jerry Brown started working with Prince Jammy this would ultimately leading to Oswald Creary leaving in '75 and taking his equipment with him. After leaving he formed his own label, Half Moon.

 

Upon Creary leaving Jerry Brown had to find studio equipment of his own. At first they used a custom built mixing board. But since it was old and not working properly he went and got a Soundcraft from Tele Tech Electronics on credit. Here Prince Jammy came to learn some of the finer points of engineering. Often the owner of Tele Tech, Jack Kirkpatrick, would chip in and help with the studio. As soon as things settled down Jerry released two 45's with Johnny Osbourne - »Who Really Cares« and »Touch of Stewart« - on his newly created Time label. He thought changing name would help boosting sales but he ended up selling even less than before.

 

In the mid 70's Summer Records finally started to see sales with the releases of Adrian Millers »Little Sixteen« and Johnny Osbournes »Right, Right Time«. For backing of the musicians Jerry Brown assembled Earth, Roots & Water - a house band of musicians.

 

In 1976 Studio One veterans Willi Williams and Jackie Mittoo reached the studio, both being drawn to the unique and bass heavy sound of the studio.

 

However Jerry Brown had a hard time keeping the studio running as it was economically harsh to keep it going without the support of the Canadian music industry. He would often deliver the music himself to the different re-sales in and around Toronto. He would even occasionally leave to New York City where his childhood friend Lloyd »Bullwackie« Barnes had set up a store and label of his own, Wackies.

 

They even went so far as releasing together a split artist 12" with Noel Ellis & Adrian »Home« Miller. Even though the tracks were recorded in Malton the label stated Made in Jamaica. This simply because people often would not buy non-jamaican reggae.

 

The label had a rather inconsistent release schedule much because Jerry only could afford to release a record when he had money in the bank. Something that a family man with mortgage could find very difficult to round up.

 

In 1977 Jerry had collected enough material to release an LP with the backing group Earth, Roots & Water. The album, with the title Innocent Youths was released in limited 500 copies with a large fold out poster inside. The cover art was done by artist Ato Seitu.

 

Johnny Osbourne recorded several songs for the label with Jerry Brown intending to release a full album. In 1979 the labels probably most known song was released, Willi Williams' »Rocking Universally«. The record was such a success moving thousands of units instead of hundreds as with most previous releases.

 

In 1983 the second album release followed from the label. Noel Ellis (son of Alton Ellis) eponymous release was a showcase that was very well received. In the mid 80's the labels released came to a near stop.

 

Prince Jammy revolutionized the music industry with Sleng Teng in 1985 and Jerry Brown was quick to experiment with the new type of reggae. One of the most noticeable released being Willi Williams' »Run Them A Run« on Trench Town Recordings (also erroneously stating Made In Jamaica). Because of the harsh economical climate Jerry decided that he had to close down the studio.

Comments (2)

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pug said

at 12:58 am on Apr 30, 2009

After years of searching, I finally managed to acquire Johnny Osbourne's - Who Really Cares on T.I.M.E records. Truly an amazing song with that distinct Canadian sound during that period. It's such a shame the label didn't get off it's feet to achieve the success it deserved. Still, we have tons of great releases, and the wonderful Summer Records Anthology really proves that.

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chrisjamesharper@... said

at 1:25 am on Apr 30, 2009

i have 3 for sale if anyone needs one.

email is chrisjameshaper@gmail.com

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