Something of an enigma. Hotsox issued at least five singles in 1979-80: one each by Chas & Carol Maxwell, Ian Daviz and David Stein, and two by Eddie Collins. Musician Buzz Hawkins was involved in all of them, one way or another - as producer, arranger and / or composer - so it seems like a reasonable bet that he was the driving force behind the label. Three different numerical series were used, which seems excessive for five records: HS-001, HS-100, and HS-200. Music Master lists the Maxwells' single but doesn't give details of either manufacturer or distributor; the style of the matrix number on the run-off indicates a Decca pressing. The first two singles shared the same label design but had their printing in different shades of blue - thanks to John Timmis for the first scan. The final three had a different kind of label: red with the company name in hollow shaded letters at the top, with a line coming down from the 'X' to curl around the spindle hole. The Maxwells' single pictured above has been used for promotional purposes, thanks to which we can glean that the company was based in Hadfield, Derbyshire. Googling has revealed no further information about Hotsox, but Hawkins went on to enjoy considerable success with his radio creation 'The Bradshaws'.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.