De-Lite Records whose formal name was De-Lite Recorded Sound Corporation was a record label specializing in R&B music. It was founded in 1969 by music producer Gene Reddhttp://mixonline.com/mag/audio_kool_gangs_celebration/ and one of the label's first signings was Kool and the Gang whose self-titled instrumental was their first big R&B hit in that year. Kool and the Gang was the most successful act for the label, scoring many R&B hits for the label.

In the 70s, Pickwick International

Pickwick Records

Pickwick Records was an American record label and distributor known for its budget album releases of sound-alike recordings, bargain bin reissues and repackagings under the brands Design, Bravo , Hurrah, Grand Prix, and children's records on the Cricket and Happy Time labels.The label is also...

 took over distribution of the label, and Kool and The Gang's massive pop crossover success began in 1973 with their first Top 40 crossover hit, "Funky Stuff."

Disco pioneers, Crown Heights Affair

Crown Heights Affair

Crown Heights Affair was an American R&B / funk / disco group from New York, founded in the early 1970s.-Career:Originally known as Ben Iverson and the Nue Dey Express on Britne Records, founded by then bassist Donnie Linton, the group took their new name from a district of their native Brooklyn,...

, were signed to the label in 1975 and promptly released "Dreaming a Dream," reaching #5 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart. They followed with the Top 20 hits, "Every Beat of My Heart," "Foxy Lady", and "Dancin'." The album "Dreaming a Dream" was followed by "Do It Your Way" (1976), "Dream World" (1978), "Dance Lady Dance" (1979), and "Sure Shot" (1980).

After PolyGram

PolyGram

PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...

 later purchased Pickwick in 1977, it took over distribution of the label which maintained the De-Lite imprint for Kool And The Gang's releases. In 1985, De-Lite was absorbed into PolyGram sublabel Mercury Records

Mercury Records

Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...

, Kool and the Gang transferred to. In 1998, Polygram merged with Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...

; their subsidiary Island Def Jam Music Group now manages the De-Lite catalogue.

Other De-Lite Imprints

De-Lite had other imprints as well:

• Gang Records- A label ran by Kool and The Gang. Its only artist was Kool and The Gang's protege group The Kay Gees, who would later switch to the parent De-Lite label.

• Vigor Records- A boutique label which is notable for the album Soul On Your Side by The Rhythm Makers, an early incarnation of the disco group GQ, who's best known for their hit "Disco Nights (Rock Freak)".