J. J. RECORDS / J.J.R.



A minor oddity from 1974-c.79.  To judge by the highest catalogue number of one its records that I have seen, J. J. Records appears to have managed at least sixteen releases.  Singles and EPs (and LPs?) shared the same numerical JJ-000 series, but singles had an 'SP' inserted after the 'JJ', EPs and 'EP'.  The first two out of the blocks were an EP by the Melfi Boys, 'Spaghetti' (JJ EP-001; 1974) and a single by Norman Kenway, Black Lady' (JJ SP-002; 1974).  The highest number that googling reveals is JJ SP-116, 'Tired Of Writing Love Songs' by The Unknown, which dates from c.1979.   At the moment, most of the others are cloaked in mystery.  The huge gap in numbers requires explaining - it may be that there was a gap in the label's operations and that numbers started in the JJ-100s afterwards, but that's just speculation.  I have seen the Kenway single described as 'Bolanesque Glam', while the Melfi Boys seem to have been a drums-and-organ duo: their EP contains a novelty song about Spaghetti, a love song and a Cozy-Powell-type instrumental.  The rarity of the records and the Cabaret / Club sound of the Melfi's EP suggest that J. J. was a custom-recording concern.  There is nothing on the sleeve pictured above to show that it was a company sleeve as such, but it is the right colour and it came with the EP, so I am prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt.  The label itself came in silver-on-dark-blue as well as in the colours shown above.  Thanks to Neil Thompson for bringing the label, and the Norman Kenway record, to my attention; thanks also to Robert Bowes for the 'A La Mode' scan, and to Shnozzle of the 45cat site for discographical assitance.  The few 7" J. J. records that I have managed to track down are listed below.

Copyright 2008 Robert Lyons.