O21
RECORDS

Independent Birmingham label: O21 Records was the number of telephone dialling code for Birmingham at the time - appears to have issued nine singles during the period 1979-81, mainly New Wave material but with a smattering of Reggae.  Catalogue numbers were in an OTO-0 series.  Only the first two releases, 'Slow Down' by Iganda (OTO-1; 12/79) and the Au Pairs' 'You' (OTO-2; 9/79) were from this decade.  OTO-6, a song called 'Generals', is of interest as being by soon-to-be hit-makers Musical Youth.  Distributed By Stage One and Spartan Records. The Au Pairs were a British post-punk band that formed in Birmingham in 1978 and continued until 1983. The band was fronted by Lesley Woods, who at the time was one of very few lesbians in the punk scene that had actually ‘come out’ and was an outspoken feminist. Band Members: Paul Foad (guitarist) Lesley Woods (vocalist) Jane Munro (bassist) Pete Hammond (drummer). Musical Youth is a British reggae band. They are best remembered for their successful 1982 single "Pass the Dutchie", which became a number 1 hit around the world. The group was formed in 1979 by the fathers of Kelvin Grant (born 9 July 1971) — guitar, vocals Michael Grant (born 7 January 1969) and Patrick Waite (16 May 1968 died 18 February 1993)— bass, vocals and Freddie "Junior" Waite (born 23 May 1967) — drums, vocals put together a band. Frederick Waite, had been a member of the Jamaican reggae group, The Techniques. Patrick Waite died in Birmingham in February 1993. Only 24 years old, he collapsed from a hereditary heart condition. Thanks to Robert Lyons For The Info.

     

79	Iganda	Slow Down	021	OTO	1
79	Au Pairs	You	021	OTO	2
89	Brass Lip	Interview	021	OTO	3
80	Au Pairs	Diet / Its Obvious	021	OTO	4
81	Tarzan 5	Boys Game	021	OTO	5
81	Musical Youth	Generals / Political	021	OTO	6
81	The Pinkies	Open Commune	021	OTO	7
81	Eclipse	Blood Fi Dem	021	OTO	8
81	The Bloods	Button Up	021	OTO	9