J.J. / J.J.R
RECORDS

Independent label:  J.J. Records was from 1974. 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 JJ SP-116, 'Tired Of Writing Love Songs' by The Unknown, which dates from 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.  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.  The label itself came in silver-on-dark-blue as well as in the colours shown. Thanks to Robert Lyons For The Info.

   

74	Melfi Boys	Spaghetti	J.J	JJEP	001
74	Kenway Norman	Black Lady	J.J	JJSP	002
76	Marna And Alan	Time Will Ease The Pain	J.J	JJSP	003
74	Not Traced		J.J	JJSP	004
77	Jason Rawlins	He'll Have To Go	J.J	JJSP	005
77	Not Traced		J.J	JJSP	006
77	Not Traced		J.J	JJSP	007
77	Not Traced		J.J	JJSP	008
77	Not Traced		J.J	JJSP	009
77	Not Traced		J.J	JJSP	010
78	A La Mode	Isn't She Lovely	J.J	JJEP	011
79	Lee Kenway And The Kenways	You Don't Know Me	J.J	JJEP	012
79	Not Traced		J.J	JJSP	013
79	Cruisers	Wonderful Dreamer	J.J	JJEP	014
80	Paul South	The Anthem	J.J	JJSP	015
80	Not Traced		J.J	JJSP	016
80	Not Traced		J.J	JJSP	017
80	Graham Desmond	One Day At A Time	J.J	JJSP	018