Quality Records
Quality Records was a Canadian entertainment company which released music albums in Canada on behalf of American record labels, and also released recordings by Canadian artists. The company operated between 1950 and 1985 with offices in Toronto,[1] and from 1990 to 1997.
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 year 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, as Quality Special Products, along with MuchMusic put out the Dance Mix series from 1990 to 1997.[3] When Quality Records folded in 1997, the Dance Mix series was rebranded MuchDance.
Artists
Quality Records released recordings by the following music artists:
- The Beau-Marks
- Herman's Hermits
- Bananarama ("Every Shade of Blue")
- Wes Dakus & the Rebels
- The Guess Who/Chad Allan and the Expressions
- Bentwood Rocker
- Ronn Metcalfe
- Harmonium
- Dan Hill
- Donn Reynolds
- Hennie Bekker
- Robbie Rae
- Carol Williams
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Bill Haley & His Comets
- Perfect World
- Secret Life
- 2 Unlimited
- Whigfield
- Meddy's People
- Maxx
- Crewz Control
- CB Milton
- Carol Medina
- Kairene
- Japan
- J.K.
- Yakoo Boyz
- MC Mario
- Mighty Dub Katz
- BKS
- Los Del Mar
- New System
- Double You
- Planet Soul
- Richard Clayderman
- DJ Ricky Dee
- Riot
- DJ Supreme
- Strike
- Ultra Naté
- Playahitty
- The Paris Sisters
- The Lisa Hart Band
- Dea
- Timmy T
- Link Wray
Barry Allen
Tijuana Brass Fireballs Lucille Starr Canadian Sweethearts
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