Quality Records
Quality Records was a Canadian entertainment company which released music albums in Canada on behalf of American record labels. They also released recordings by Canadian artists.
The company operated between 1950 and 1985 with offices in Toronto.[1] The company also ran from 1990 to 1998 as "Quality Special Products" with Offices both in Canada and the United States.
History
Bobby Gimby's song "Canada" as sung by the Young Canada Singers was released in 1967 as a 45 rpm single by Quality on behalf of Canada's Centennial Commission. It set a sales record for Canadian single releases.[2]
Stompin' Tom Connors recordings made by CKGB radio in 1967 were pressed by Quality Records and distributed by Connors himself.
The company won in the category of Best Company for Canadian Content at the Gold Leaf Awards of 1970 and the Juno Awards of 1971.
In the mid-80s, Quality Records replaced K-tel International as a distributor of various artist compilations in Canada, most notably with the Rock series (Rock '85, Rock '86, etc.) and 'This is Music' series.
It closed down in 1985. However, in 1990, it revived as Quality Music & Video for new recordings, notably Dan Hill's 1991 album Dance of Love and Timmy T's number 1 pop hit "One More Try". However, it folded again in 1997 & its catalog number was sold to Warlock Records, a New York-based record label that acquired the catalog numbers of Sleeping Bag Records. Quality also had some of its domestic artist releases distributed through Critique Records and Popular Records in the United States for their compilations, including the "Dance Mix USA" series.
In the 90's Quality Records rebranded as Quality Special Products, Quality Records along with MuchMusic put out the Dance Mix series from 1990 to 1997.[3] Quality Records folded in 1997 in Canada shortly after there Amarican branch would later fold in 1998.
The Dance Mix series was rebranded MuchDance in late 1997 after Much's contract with Quality Records expired.
Artists
Quality Records released recordings by the following music artists:
- 2 Unlimited
- Bananarama ("Every Shade of Blue")
- Barry Allen
- Bentwood Rocker
- Bill Haley & His Comets
- BKS
- Canadian Sweethearts
- Carol Medina
- Carol Williams
- CB Milton
- Crewz Control
- Dan Hill
- Dea
- DJ Ricky Dee
- Donn Reynolds
- Double You
- Fireballs
- Harmonium
- Hennie Bekker
- Herman's Hermits
- Japan
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- J.K.
- Kairene
- Kiss
- Link Wray
- Los Del Mar
- Lucille Starr
- Maxx
- MC Mario
- Meddy's People
- Mighty Dub Katz
- New System
- Perfect World
- Planet Soul
- Playahitty
- Richard Clayderman
- Riot
- Ronn Metcalfe
- Secret Life
- Skip Prokop
- DJ Supreme
- Strike
- The Beau-Marks
- The Guess Who/Chad Allan and the Expressions
- The Lisa Hart Band
- The Paris Sisters
- Robbie Rae
- Tijuana Brass
- Timmy T
- Ultra Naté
- Wes Dakus & the Rebels
- Whigfield
- Yakoo Boyz
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References
- Martin Melhuish (2 October 1976). "Striving for Success without Leaning on Government". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 60–. ISSN 0006-2510.
- "International News Reports". Billboard. 3 June 1967. p. 62. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
- Larry LeBlanc (25 May 1996). "Dance Compilations Moving in Canada". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 68–. ISSN 0006-2510.
External links
- Moogk, Edward B. "Quality Records Ltd.". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- Discogs: Quality Records Limited