| Lu Pine Records | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1950s |
| Country of origin | United States |
Lu Pine Records was a small localrecord label inDetroit, Michigan, founded by Robert West.[1] Mainly active during the late-1950s and 1960s but was reactivated for some time when its owner moved to Las Vegas in the 1970s. The label released records by a number of artists, includingJoe Stubbs (brother ofFour Tops lead singerLevi Stubbs),Eddie Floyd,The Falcons[2] and The Ohio Untouchables (later renamed theOhio Players).[2] Prior to the emergence ofMotown Records, it was the most significant African-American-owned record label in Detroit.[3]
Lu Pine is most notable for releasing the first recorded material fromThe Supremes, then known asThe Primettes, in March 1960.[4] The quartet (later a trio) recorded two sides for the label: "Tears of Sorrow" (withDiana Ross on lead) and "Pretty Baby" withMary Wilson on lead.[5] The single failed to make a lasting impression, and The Primettes signed withMotown Records in January 1961 asThe Supremes. Their other real success was The Falcons' "I Found a Love", featuringWilson Pickett on lead vocal.[6] The single was a tremendous hit (#6 Billboard R&B and #75 Billboard Top Pop) in 1962.[7] This was Pickett's first hit record.
Atlantic Records signed a contract with Lu Pine to release selected singles for national distribution. In general, independent Lu Pine singles had a 3-digit number and those picked up and distributed by Atlantic (same label design) had a 4-digit catalog number (111 vs 1011). Lu Pine ran as a separate, independent label concurrent with the occasional Atlantic distributed singles.
Lu Pine's recordings were acquired in the 1980s byRounder distributed Relic Records, which then published unissued and previously released material.[3]
 | This article about a United States record label is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
