A short-lived independent label from 1970-71, run by chartered accountant Michael Weston. Square was set up as a sister-label to the charity labels Mencap (q.v.) and Little Stephen (1960s only, as far as 7" records are concerned) which Weston ran either himself or in partnership ('Record Retailer', 28th November 1970). It issued some half a dozen singles, using an SQ-0 numerical series; I've yet to see any sign of SQ-6. The first batch came out in November 1970 and included a record by hit maker Crispian St. Peters, 'Wandering Hobo' b/w 'Love, Love, Love'; sadly it failed to match the popularity of his earlier recordings, for Decca, 'You Were On My Mind' (F-12287; 1965) and 'Pied Piper' (F-12359; 1966). St. Peters also recorded an album, 'Simply... Crispian St. Peters' (SQA-102; 1970) for Square, while another LP, Dear Mr. Time's 'Grandfather' (SQA-101; 1970), is a Prog Rock 'collectable'. Manufacture and distribution were by EMI; according to 'RR' of the 23rd of January 1971 a firm called 'Crunch Promotions' were to be responsible for promoting Square's product from that point. I have yet to see a Square 'A' side without the large 'A' on it, which makes me pretty certain that it was part of the design rather than an indication of promo / demo copies. The 'A's on Jon & Julie's double-A-sided 'The Weatherhouse' b/w 'Loving You' (SQ-4; 1971) were red rather than the usual black; thanks to Paul Yates for that scan (3). The labels of what appears to have been the final Square single, by Mataya, were of much the same design but were mid-blue with white printing. There was another Square label in the early 1980s, but it is outside the scope of this site.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.