CRYSTAL RECORDS

Jack Price had worked for the Melodisc label before setting up as an independent producer, launching his Crystal Records label in either very late 1968 or very early 1969, while still licensing recordings to the Philips group of labels (Fontana and Mercury). Almost immediately the Crystal label became part of the Kassner Music / President Records group of companies and while much of the catalogue continued to be reggae, the label also released pop and easy listening music as well as several American recordings before the label closed down in the late 70s although there were a couple of one-off releases, one by singer Mike Redway (he sang on a lot of Woolies’  Embassy label releases)in 1981 and one by comedian Norman Collier in 1986. The label has several releases with stories to tell; ‘Abigail’ by Jason Merryweather hides the identity of ‘Tell Laura I Love Her’ hitmaker Ricky Valance, releases by The Imitations conceal Pat Rhoden (R & B, Trojan and Pama) and Denzil (D. D.) Dennis (Trojan, Pama, Blue Beat) as the lead vocalists and the Berry Street Station release coupling ‘Chocolate Sugar’ with ‘All I Want Is You’ were American productions originally released there as being ‘Dusty’ by Soul Patrol and by Pic & Bill (issued as such in Britain on Page One in 1967) respectively. Speedway rider Reg Luckhurst had one release on the label, ‘In The Misty Moonlight’ and collectors have belatedly warmed to the Pavement singles and album on the label. Erstwhile hitmakers Craig Douglas and The Cats had releases on the label as well.