An independent label from Peterborough, operated by a company named Ultimate Music Ltd. 'Music Week' of the 5th of August 1978 gives the founder of Ultimate as Royer Slater, who was one of the people behind the 'Dingles' record company (q.v.). According to the article Ultimate was based in premises at Lady Lodge Drive, PE2; it had been 'successful in the Folk and New Wave markets' and was looking for distribution. 'MW' of the 6th of January of the following year revealed that a distributor had been found, in the shape of Spartan (q.v.). Ultimate released at least five singles between 1975 and 1981, starting off with 'Far Side Of The Hill' b/w 'Night By Night' by a band called River (which soon became 'Driver'). That record had a catalogue number of UM-501, and it had a white label with a fairly plain design (1); it was pressed by Orlake, and the scan of it appears by courtesy of Dr. Doom of the 45cat site. There was a gap of a couple of years before the next release, and when The Now's, 'Development Corporations' b/w 'Why' (ULT-401; 11/77) came out it had a new label design, the catalogue series had changed, and the label name had become The Ultimate Record Label (2). That single had injection moulded labels, and it was a Phondisc pressing; distribution was by Lightning. Another Punk single followed: The Dole's 'New Wave Love' b/w 'Hungry Men' (ULT-402; 6/78). That had a yellow paper label (3), as did the fourth release, a 'folky' John Senior single, 'You've Got A Way' b/w 'Annalaise' (ULT-403; 1978). Both were pressed by Lyntone, with Spartan handling distribution - the Dole single had additional distribution by Lightning. The Now's single was reissued in March 1979, this time pressed by Orlake on blue vinyl and with a black paper label in an adapted design; distribution this time around was by Spartan. The same year saw an EP by the New Chordettes Showband, which came out on the U.M. label (q.v.). Finally a 12" Reggae single, 'Observation Babylon', by Everand Thompson & Eusi Simba (XULT-404) came out in June 1981, if the date given in 'Music Master' is that of its issue rather than when Spartan began to distribute it. Pressing of that record was by WEA. Thanks to James Denholm for the second scan, to Steve Hill for the third, to Robert Bowes for that of ULT-402 in its company sleeve, and to Royer Slater for the information about manufacture and distribution.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.