I had always considered this to be not a proper label but merely one of those cases where a licensor company has its logo added to the licensing company's label. According to 'Music Week' of the 28th of July 1979, however, Eddy Grant's 'Living On The Frontline' b/w 'Frontline Symphony' (ENY-26; 5/79) was part of a 'split label deal' made between Grant and Ensign's Nigel Grainge rather than a straightforward licensing arrangement. It was seen as a one-off deal at first, and Grant was quoted as saying "The follow-up will not necessarily be on Ice / Ensign." That proved to be the case, but after his next two singles had been released on his own Ice label (see 'Ice 1977-80s') Grant joined forces with Ensign again. Four more singles came out on Ice / Ensign during 1980-81 - or on Ensign with an Ice logo, if the new agreement was a licensing one rather than a 'split label' one: two by Eddy Grant and two by Rudy Grant. In between them another Eddy Grant single came out on Ensign with the Ice credits in place but without an Ice logo. 'Living On The Frontline' came in two different versions, full length and edited; the catalogue numbers are the same but, as can be seen above, the label states which is the full length version.
Copyright 2016 Robert Lyons.