Another DIY label from the New Wave years. Esoteric released at least five 7" records by Birmingham musician Martin O'Cuthbert during 1978-81, and added a couple more and a compilation album before the '80s ended. The first single, 'B.E.Ms' (SRTS 78 CUS-114; 7/78), was a somewhat spartan synthesiser instrumental, if I remember it correctly: I was working in a Birmingham record shop at the time, and Martin brought some copies in to see if the manager would sell them. EE-2, 'Serene Machines' (12/78), and 'Navigator Through Nowhere (EEE-3; 11/1979) were in a similar vein: presumably the others were as well. Manufacture of the first two singles was done through SRT, with Orlake doing the actual pressing; some releases were distributed by Rough Trade. As can be seen, the label design remained basically the same, though the colours and the fonts varied. Thanks to Sam Mauger for the first scan, and to Robert Bowes for the third.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.