A.1. was the label of A1 Stores, a record retail and jukebox supply company based at 281 Walworth Road, London SE17. 'Music Week of the 26th of November 1977 reported that the company had issued Ray O' Sunshine's, 'Happy Party Time' b/w 'Happy Party Time (Part 2)' (A1-281; 11/77) itself, after failing to interest the major labels in it as a Christmas party record. The report says that according to managing director Ray Levy 20,000 copies had been shipped, with distribution being handled by Lugton, One Stop, Relay and Wynd Up. The single had a surprisingly long life, being reissued on Power Exchange the following year before coming out for a third time, on A.1. again, in November 1983. There appears to have been a five-year gap between that release and the next, so presumably the company was concentrating on its core businesses during that time. The 1980s were when the label really got into its stride: it enjoyed a couple of minor Singles hits in the shape of its second release, Jimmy Roselli's, 'When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New' (A1-282; 1982) and the 'Theme From 'Sons And Daughters', by Kerri & Mick (A1-286; 1984), but its biggest success came in 1989, when Lynn Hamilton's, 'On The Inside' (A1-311) got to No.3 in the Chart. That year also saw popular artists The Gipsy Kings and Chas & Dave recording for the company. The sole '70s release was pressed by Orlake; in the early 80s distribution was by Spartan.
Copyright 2008 Robert Lyons.