STARPHONIC
RECORDS
Starphonic Records is a label of the
Starphonic recording studios, of Bramhall, Cheshire. Starphonic seems to
have been in business from the mid '60s until around 1975. It advertised
regularly in 'The Stage' magazine, generally saying that it was available for
the making of commercial masters and demo recordings. In the earliest
advert of the 3rd of February 1966, it referred to itself as 'Starphonic Sound
Studios'; this had become 'Starphonic Sound Recording Studios' by the 12th of
January 1967, and it ended up as 'Starphonic Recording Studios' on the 9th
of March of that year. It seems to have acted as a management agency as
well as a studio. The Stage' magazine adverts in issues in March and December
1966 said that 'Starphonic Promotions' of Bramhall was looking for
artistes. The company also advertised in the 'Liverpool Echo' in the late
'60s, where it said "Demo recording of groups is our speciality." The only
reference to the 'Starphonic Record Company' that I can find came in "The Stage"
of the 7th of March 1974, in an advert which said that famous organist Jimmy
Leach was available as an accompanist. This suggests that the record
label was a comparative latecomer to the company's stable of businesses.
Starphonic Records seems to have acted as a custom recording outlet. It
used an STA-100 numerical series for its products, 7" and 12" alike. It
concentrated on LPs, but it earned itself a place on this site by putting out
Barry Dean's 'This Is My Life' b/w 'Girl In The Wood' single (STA-107) and an EP
by The Walkden Band, 'Marches In Style' (STA-110). Tracks on that EP were
'Mancunia', 'Washington Greys', 'Father Rhine' and 'Bramwyn'.
Frustratingly there are no dates on the labels of Starphonic's records, but a
note on the back of the Walken Band's EP says that it was recorded in June
1972. Despite the claim on the labels, the few Starphonic products seem to
be by local choirs and brass bands rather than examples of 'International
Recorded Music'; just for the sake of interest I've listed them below.
Perhaps the 'international' material was on one of the many missing
albums. Thanks to Robert Lyons For The Info.
70
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STARPHONIC
STA
101
70
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STARPHONIC
STA
102
70
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STARPHONIC
STA
103
71
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STARPHONIC
STA
104
71
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STARPHONIC
STA
105
71
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STARPHONIC
STA
106
72
Barry Dean
This Is My Life
STARPHONIC
STA
107
72
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STARPHONIC
STA
108
72
The Stannington Brass Band
An Album Of Local Christmas Carols
(Album)
STARPHONIC
STA
109
72
The Walkden Band
Mancunia
STARPHONIC
STA
110
73
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STARPHONIC
STA
111
73
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STARPHONIC
STA
112
73
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STARPHONIC
STA
113
73
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STARPHONIC
STA
114
74
Glossop School Brass Band
Glossop School Brass Band (Album)
STARPHONIC
STA
115
74
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STARPHONIC
STA
116
74
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STARPHONIC
STA
117
74
The Maia Choirs
The Maia Choirs (Album)
STARPHONIC
STA
118
74
Hathersage Band
Hathersage Band (Album)
STARPHONIC
STA
119