Calla Records
Encyclopedia
Calla Records was a small, New York City-based independent black owned Soul
record label run by Nate McCalla and active c. 1965 to 1977.
McCalla was an associate and bodyguard for Morris Levy
who headed Roulette Records
which had known ties to the mob
.
Artists recording for the label include J.J. Jackson, The Sandpebbles
, Little Jerry Williams (aka Swamp Dogg
), Jean Wells, The Emotions
, The Fuzz
, Lonnie Youngblood
, The Persuaders
, and Geraldine Hunt
among others. Part of Roulette Records
, they were distributed by Shakat Records, then later by CBS
.
McCalla was later found murdered execution style in 1980.
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
record label run by Nate McCalla and active c. 1965 to 1977.
McCalla was an associate and bodyguard for Morris Levy
Morris Levy
Morris Levy was an American music industry executive, best known as the founder and owner of Roulette Records...
who headed Roulette Records
Roulette Records
Roulette Records is an American record label, which was founded in late 1956, by George Goldner, Joe Kolsky, Morris Levy and Phil Khals, with creative control given to producers and songwriters Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. Levy was appointed as director...
which had known ties to the mob
The Mob
The Mob may refer to:* The Mafia, an Italian organized crime secret society* The American Mafia, an offshoot of the Italian Mafia and also an organized crime secret society* Irish Mob, the first organized crime group for which the term was used...
.
Artists recording for the label include J.J. Jackson, The Sandpebbles
The Sandpebbles
The Sandpebbles were an American R&B vocal group composed of Calvin White, Andrea Bolden, and Lonzine Wright. They recorded for Calla Records, and had one hit in the U.S., "Love Power", which hit #14 on the Billboard Black Singles chart in 1967 and #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the following...
, Little Jerry Williams (aka Swamp Dogg
Swamp Dogg
Jerry Williams, Jr., , is a soul music artist who is better known by his pseudonym Swamp Dogg.Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Williams made his first recording in 1954 under the moniker "Little Jerry", a 78 rpm single on the Mechanic label titled "HTD Blues" / "Nats Wailing"...
), Jean Wells, The Emotions
The Emotions
The Emotions are an American all female soul and R&B singing group. The group was formed in its current hometown of Chicago, Illinois originally consisting of the three Hutchinson sisters, all the children of Joseph and Lillian Hutchinson....
, The Fuzz
The Fuzz (band)
The Fuzz was an American vocal trio from Washington, D.C.. They started out in 1970 as The Passionettes, but changed their name when they signed to Calla Records in 1971. Their self-titled debut album came out that year, and the single "I Love You for All Seasons" went Top 10 on the US Billboard...
, Lonnie Youngblood
Lonnie Youngblood
Lonnie "Youngblood" is an American saxophonist and bandleader best remembered for playing with Jimi Hendrix...
, The Persuaders
The Persuaders (band)
The Persuaders are a New York based R&B vocal group, with some fame in the 1970s, best known for their hit single, "Thin Line Between Love and Hate"...
, and Geraldine Hunt
Geraldine Hunt
Geraldine Hunt is an [United States|American]] R&B singer best known for the 1980 #1 Hot Dance Music/Club Play hit "Can't Fake the Feeling".-Life and career:...
among others. Part of Roulette Records
Roulette Records
Roulette Records is an American record label, which was founded in late 1956, by George Goldner, Joe Kolsky, Morris Levy and Phil Khals, with creative control given to producers and songwriters Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. Levy was appointed as director...
, they were distributed by Shakat Records, then later by CBS
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
.
McCalla was later found murdered execution style in 1980.
Recordings released under on Calla label
- 1965 - "Baby, You're My Everything" / "Just What Do You Plan to Do about It" - Little Jerry Williams (Calla 105)
- 1966 - "Baby, Bunny (Sugar Honey)" / "Philly Duck" - Little Jerry Williams (Calla C-109)
- 1966 - "If You Ask Me (Because I Love You)" / "Yvonne" - Jerry Williams (Calla 116)
- 1967 - "What's the Matter with You Baby" / "What Do You Plan to Do about It" - Jerry Williams (Calla 121)
- 1967 - "Run Run Roadrunner" / "I'm in the Danger Zone" - Jerry Williams (Calla MU 1285)
- 1996 - Soul of the '60s: Vol. 1