Another Reggae label, one of the Pama stable. Ocean came in two incarnations during the period 1970-75. 'Record Retailer' of the 7th of November 1970 noted the label's launch and said that it was intended by Pama to be an outlet for stereo singles. Records by Sol Raye and Danny Williams were to be released on the 6th, and the intention was to issue one new single per month. According to the article Marian Montgomery had been signed up, but nothing from her was ever put out on Ocean. Indeed, the label managed only one more single - a mono one - before it was shelved. A handful of anonymous promo-only singles were given Ocean labels during 1970-73 but the issues came out on other labels in the Pama group; the Ocean promos had the same catalogue numbers as the issues.
Ocean was given a second lease of life in 1975 and ran to another half-dozen singles; a reissue of Max Romeo's hit 'Wet Dream' b/w 'She's But A Little Girl' (OC-003; 1975) was the biggest seller by some distance - it had reached the No.10 spot, on the Unity label (as UN-503) in 1969. The same basic design was used throughout Ocean's existence, though it came in several different colours; the more popular releases can be found in more than one colour. Initially catalogue numbers were in an OC-1000 series; singles from the revival were numbered in the OC-000s, starting at 003. Pama handled their own distribution, but according to 'Music Week' of the 13th of September 1975 'Wet Dream' was being given additional distribution via Enterprise, H.R. Taylor and Clyde Factors. It was still available, and being advertised, in 1980, with distribution by Jetstar ('MW', 10th May). Thanks to Robert Bowes for the first scan and the scan of the company sleeve; the third and fourth were taken from e-bay auctions.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.