A rather short-lived label, formed by Danny Kessler and Clancy Grass of the American company Kessler-Grass Management in association with President ('Music Week', 6th August 1977). 'MW' of the 17th of September observed that although Barak was a subsidiary of Kessler-Grass there were no plans to launch the label in that country. In the event Barak issued just five singles during the period July 1977 to January 1978. The Cook County record pictured above (1) is a Disco version of the Star Wars theme; Christ Child's, 'Let 'Em Eat Rock' (BAR-5; 1/78) was in relentless Rock territory. Several of the singles can be found with or without a small black 'A' on the appropriate side, which suggests that records marked in that way were promotional copies (2). Distribution was by Lugton and H. R Taylor, according to Music Master, and Billboard of the 4th of March 1978 says that President was 'continuing to distribute' the label from its depot in Arklow Road, London. Presumably the independent distributors supplied smaller or more geographically distant retailers.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.