A Reggae label, owned by Philroy Matthias and David Tyrone. Venture was based in Harrow Road, London, and it issued at least fourteen 7" singles during 1974-80. Its singles were initially numbered in the VEN-00s and the label had a rather plain design (1, 2). It appears that only three records were issued before a more complex design (3) and a VEN-7700 numerical series were adopted. For some reason the numbers seem to have jumped from 7709 to 7770, and several numbers in the various blocks seem not to have been used. From 1978 into the '80s the company concentrated on 12" singles, which came with a new label design and were mainly numbered in the EAR-00s. There were however a couple of 7" singles from this period, including 'Take It Cool' by Dennis Pinnock, which had a catalogue number of OWN-1 (5). See also the BPI label. Thanks to Robert Bowes for the first, second and fourth scans, and to Mark Griffiths for details of ownership and location.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.