A Reggae label; an outlet for records by the band Matumbi, either together or in various combinations. 'Music Master' gives the single shown above, 'Point Of View' b/w Pretender' (RIC-101; 8/79) as being on the Matumbi label, but as 'M R.' is what is on the label I'd better go with that. Pressing and distribution were by EMI; the singles shared a RIC-100 series with licensed product on several other Reggae labels (Arawak, Deb Music, Radic, More Cut and Taxi; q.v. the first three). The series as a whole lasted from August 1979 into the early '80s, with a gap from mid 1980 to mid 1982. Billboard of the 21st of July 1979 reports that A&R Promotions - headed by Matumbi's manager, Brian Hutch - had signed a deal with EMI to handle new U.K. Reggae talent, and that the two had formed a joint company, A&R Music; which suggests that the RIC singles may have belonged to that new company at least initially. Matumbi's 'Point Of View' single (RIC-101; 1979) got into the British Top 40. The discography below lists all the 'RIC-100's, with the labels in the last column.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.