Safari Records
Encyclopedia
Safari Records was an UK independent record label
based in London
and operating between 1977
and 1985
. Safari Records was formed early in 1977 by Tony Edwards (former co-manager of Deep Purple
), Andreas Budde (the son of German music publisher Rolf Budde) and John Craig who previously ran Purple
and Oyster Records. With the label's founders living in Paris
, Berlin
and London
respectively, the plan was to develop a pan-European record company that would release pop records. Licensing deals were struck with Teldec
in Germany and Vogue
in France, in the UK its product was pressed and distributed by Pye
and later by Spartan Records. Most notable of the label's acts were Wayne County
, The Boys
, Toyah
and the South Africa's first multiracial band Juluka
.
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and operating between 1977
1977 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1977.-January–February:*January 1 – The Clash headline the gala opening of the London music club, The Roxy....
and 1985
1985 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1985.-January–March:*January 1 - The newest music video channel, VH-1, debuts on American cable. It is aimed at an older demographic than its sister station, MTV...
. Safari Records was formed early in 1977 by Tony Edwards (former co-manager of Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
), Andreas Budde (the son of German music publisher Rolf Budde) and John Craig who previously ran Purple
Purple Records
Purple Records is a record label established in 1971 by Deep Purple's management. Their releases were distributed by EMI. The label was run until 1979. In 1997 Simon Robinson from RPM Records established a second label releasing rare and previously unissued recordings...
and Oyster Records. With the label's founders living in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
respectively, the plan was to develop a pan-European record company that would release pop records. Licensing deals were struck with Teldec
Teldec
The Teldec is a German record label in Hamburg, Germany. Today the label is a property of Warner Music Group.-History:...
in Germany and Vogue
Vogue
As a noun, "vogue" suggests transient fashionability, hence phrases such as "vogue word."Vogue can also refer for:* Vogue , the fashion magazine** Vogue , the British edition...
in France, in the UK its product was pressed and distributed by Pye
Pye Records
Pye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man...
and later by Spartan Records. Most notable of the label's acts were Wayne County
Wayne County & the Electric Chairs
Wayne County & the Electric Chairs were part of the first wave of punk bands from the 1970s. The band is headed by Georgia transgendered woman, Wayne County, who later changed her name to Jayne County.-Career:...
, The Boys
The Boys (UK Band)
The Boys are an English punk rock band formed in London in 1976.Members of the band had previously played in other groups, such as London SS and Hollywood Brats. After recording four studio albums and eight singles, as well as recording Christmas themed music under the name The Yobs, they disbanded...
, Toyah
Toyah (band)
Toyah is the name of the band fronted by Toyah Willcox between 1977 and 1983. The only other consistent band member throughout this period was Joel Bogen, Willcox's principal co-writer and guitarist.-Background :...
and the South Africa's first multiracial band Juluka
Juluka
Juluka was a South African music band formed in 1969 by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. Juluka means "sweat", and was the name of a bull owned by Mchunu.-Career:...
.
Select discography
- Wayne County & the Electric ChairsWayne County & the Electric ChairsWayne County & the Electric Chairs were part of the first wave of punk bands from the 1970s. The band is headed by Georgia transgendered woman, Wayne County, who later changed her name to Jayne County.-Career:...
, "Fuck Off" (7", 1977) - Tyrone Ashley, Looks Like Love Is Here To Stay (12", 1977)
- The Chanter Sisters, Ready For Love (LP, 1977)
- Glenn Hughes, Play Me Out (LP, 1977)
- ELF, Trying To Burn The Sun (LP, 1977)
- Wayne County & The Electric Chairs, Storm The Gates Of Heaven (LP, 1978)
- Wayne County & The Electric Chairs, Man Enough To Be A Woman (LP, 1978)
- The Chanter Sisters, "Can't Stop Dancing" / "Back On The Road" (7"/12", 1978)
- ToyahToyah (band)Toyah is the name of the band fronted by Toyah Willcox between 1977 and 1983. The only other consistent band member throughout this period was Joel Bogen, Willcox's principal co-writer and guitarist.-Background :...
, Sheep Farming In BarnetSheep Farming In BarnetSheep Farming in Barnet is the debut album by Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1979 by Safari Records. The album was originally released as a 6-track extended EP, dubbed an 'Alternate Play' record by Safari, and was later expanded into full-album status...
(1979) - Glenn Hughes, "I Found A Woman" (7", 1979)
- Toyah, "Victims Of The RiddleVictims of the Riddle"Victims of the Riddle" was the debut single from the post-punk band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, and was released on July 27, 1979. The single, and its B-side, "Victims of the Riddle " were eventually featured on the LP version of Sheep Farming In Barnet, which was itself an extended reissue...
" (7", 1979) - Teenbeats, "I Can't Control Myself" (7", 1979)
- Wayne County & the Electric ChairsWayne County & the Electric ChairsWayne County & the Electric Chairs were part of the first wave of punk bands from the 1970s. The band is headed by Georgia transgendered woman, Wayne County, who later changed her name to Jayne County.-Career:...
, "Berlin" (7", 1979) - Yobs, "The Rub-A-Dum-Dum"/"Another Christmas" (7", 1979)
- The BoysThe Boys (UK Band)The Boys are an English punk rock band formed in London in 1976.Members of the band had previously played in other groups, such as London SS and Hollywood Brats. After recording four studio albums and eight singles, as well as recording Christmas themed music under the name The Yobs, they disbanded...
"You Better Move On" / "Schoolgirls" (7", 1980) - Toyah, "Bird In Flight" / "Tribal Look" (7", 1980)
- Toyah, The Blue MeaningThe Blue MeaningThe Blue Meaning is the second album by Toyah, released in 1980 by Safari Records. Although not the first full-length release, this is often considered to be the band's first "proper" album....
, (LP, 1980) - Toyah, Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! is a live album recorded by Toyah on 17 June 1980 at the Lafayette Club in Wolverhampton. The concert was also filmed by ATV as part of a TV documentary about the band and its eponymous singer....
(LP, 1980) - The Boys, Boys Only (LP, 1980)
- The Boys, To Hell With The Boys (LP, 1980)
- Gary HoltonGary HoltonGary Frederick Holton was an English singer-songwriter, musician and actor from London. He was the frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids, for whom he played lead vocals, guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboards and harmonica, and played the part of Wayne in the UK television comedy Auf Wiedersehen, Pet...
, "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love To Town)" (7", 1980) - Toyah, "Ieya" (7", 1980)
- Toyah, "Danced" (7", 1980)
- Genocide, Images Of Delusion (7", 1980)
- Toyah, "It's A Mystery" (7" 1981)
- Toyah, "I Want To Be FreeI Want To Be Free"I Want to Be Free" is the seventh UK single by the band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, and was released on 7 May 1981.Backed by an appearance on Top of the Pops, and bolstered by the performance of the previous single, "I Want to Be Free" entered the UK Top Ten with a peak at #8, and helped push...
" (7", 1981) - Toyah, AnthemAnthem (Toyah album)Anthem was Toyah's most successful album to date, propelling them into both the UK Album Charts as well as the singles charts with releases of "It's a Mystery" and "I Want To Be Free"...
(LP, 1981) - Weapon Of Peace, Weapon Of Peace (LP, 1981)
- Weapon Of Peace, "Jah Love"/"Suspicion"/"West Park" (12", 1981)
- Toyah, "Stand Proud" (Flexi, S/Sided) 1981
- Toyah, Four From Toyah (7", 1981)
- Purple HeartsPurple Hearts (UK band)The Purple Hearts were often considered one of the best English mod revival groups, the NME calling them "one of the few mod bands to actually cut it on rock’n’roll terms”.-Career:...
, "My Life's A Jigsaw" (7", 1981) - Toyah, "Thunder In The Mountains" (7", 1981)
- Weapon Of Peace, "Jah Love" (7", 1981)
- Those French Girls, "Close-Up" (7", 1981)
- Toyah, "Brave New World" (7", 1982)
- Toyah, "Ieya" (7", 1982)
- Toyah, The ChangelingThe Changeling (album)The Changeling was Toyah's follow-up album to the critically acclaimed Anthem. Although it has a similar overall sound, the band's writing took a darker, almost gothic direction...
(LP, 1982) - Jayne County / Wayne County & The Electric Chairs, The Best Of...(LP, Compilation, 1982)
- JulukaJulukaJuluka was a South African music band formed in 1969 by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. Juluka means "sweat", and was the name of a bull owned by Mchunu.-Career:...
, Scatterlings (LP, 1982) - Those French Girls, "Sorry Sorry" (7"/12", 1982)
- Those French Girls, Those French Girls (LP, 1982)
- Cimarons, "Big Girls Don't Cry" (7", 1982)
- Toyah, "Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard)" (7", 1982)
- Toyah, Warrior RockWarrior RockWarrior Rock may refer to:* Warrior Rock: Toyah on Tour, an album by Toyah* Warrior Rock Light, a lighthouse on the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon...
(LP, 1982) - Juluka, "Umbaqanga Music" (7", 1982)
- English EveningsEnglish EveningsEnglish Evenings were a short-lived British New Wave duo. They released one album in 1985 entitled After Dark.-History:Before English Evenings, Lee Walsh was a member of the band 'Sly Fox', whose name later changed to 'One Adult'...
, "What's The Matter With Helen?" (7", 1983) - Tony Ashton & Lynda Hayes, "Resurrection Shuffle" (7", 1983)
- Toyah, "Rebel Run" (7", 1983)
- Weapon Of Peace, Rainbow Rhythm (LP, 1983)
- Juluka, "Scatterlings Of Africa" (7", 1983)
- Kitty Grant, "Glad To Know You" (7"/12", 1983)
- Toyah, "Rebel Run" (12", 1983)
- Toyah, "The Vow" (7", 1983)
- Kitty Grant, Glad To Know You (12", EP 1983)
- Alan PriceAlan PriceAlan Price is an English musician, best known as the original keyboardist for the English band The Animals, and for his subsequent solo work....
, "Clair De Lune" (7", 1984) - English Evenings, "Tear You Down" (7"/12", 1984)
- Richard HartleyRichard HartleyRichard Hartley is a British composer.His work is extensive and varied, including musical arrangement for theatre and many scores for television and film. In the 1970s he began a long association with Richard O'Brien. Hartley was originally part of the four-piece band for the Rocky Horror Show. ...
& Michael Reed Orchestra, "The Music Of Torvill & Dean" (7", 12", 1984)
- English Evenings, "I Will Return" (7", 1985)
- Jimmy Tarbuck, "Again" (7", 1985)
- La Bouche, "Electric Voice Dance" (7", 1985)
- Roger Glover And GuestsRoger GloverRoger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
, "Love Is All (Butterfly Ball)" (7", 1985)