Scottish, operating out of an address in Bryson Crsescent, Buckie. According to the Banffshire Advertiser J.A.I. was formed in 1978 for the twin purposes of raising money for local charities and giving local artists the chance to make a record. It seems to be a reasonable guess that the company took its name from the initials of the Christian names of the three men mentioned on the label of the Don Grant Band single shown above: Jeff Jones, Alasdair McLean and Ian Cowie. The Advertiser for February 1980 says that the label was to stop making records because the cost was making a pressing run of 1,000 uneconomical. According to the article J.A.I. had made 'many' records, but I've only been able to track down an EP by Romaru, 'Skirmish On The Moray Coast' (JAI-S2) and a couple of singles by the Don Grant Band: 'Sea Of Heartbreak' b/w 'Bonnie Kirkwall Bay' (JAI-S1; 6/78), and 'Detroit City' b/w 'Mocking Bird' (JAI-S3; 3/79). Subsequent articles in the Advertiser indicate that despite abandoning vinyl J.A.I. went on to make at least one cassette tape - possibly two - again for charity and featuring local artists, this time mixed in with 'sound pictures' of the area. The one that definitely got made was called 'Buckie 1981'; it was issued in July 1981 and retailed at £3.99. A second tape, in aid of the RNLI, was due for release in September of that same year, but whether it actually appeared or not remains to be determined - the 'Advertiser' didn't mention it again. The look of the label of 'Sea Of Heartbreak' suggests that it was made through Craighall Studios of Edinburgh, as does its TD-7231 matrix number - see 'TD (Craighall Studios)'. Proceeds from the sale of that record went to the RNLI. Judging by reports of the number of local fishing boats lost at sea with their crews from 1978-81 the title of the single was all too accurate. Thanks to Sporidium of the 45cat site for bringing J.A.I. to my attention and for allowing me to use his scan here; scans of the Romaru EP, which had a black label of the same design, can be found on that site. Thanks also to Stephen Small for discographical input. Any additions to the discography will be gratefully received.
Copyright 2015 Robert Lyons.