Valley Vue Records

Valley Vue Records was a record label in California founded by Hillery Johnson in 1983. Arirts on the label included Jerry Butler, Craig T. Cooper, Klymaxx, The Manhattans, Johnny Guitar Watson and Michael Wycoff.

Valley Vue Records
Founded1983
FounderHillery Johnson
Distributor(s)Capitol Records
GenreRhythm and blues, Jazz
Country of originUnited States
LocationPalm Springs, California

Background

It was a small California based record label located in Palm Springs.[1] Its founder Hillery Johnson had produced artists such as Donny Hathaway.[2][3] Johnson was also vice-president of Atlantic Records.[4]

Staff

In addition to Johnson, the founder [5] there was vice-president and general manager Michael Dion. Dion had founded the Jazz label ITI Records in California.[6][7][8]

Artists Released

Johnny Guitar Watson's album Strike on Computers was released on Valley Vue VV69.[9] after having a break from music for about three years, Watson ended up with Johnson in the studio after Johnson who had been a fan of his had suggested they go in and do something. As a result, Strike On Computers came about and was released on the label.[10] In 1988, Chicago blues and soul singer, Cicero Blake had his album Too Hip To Be Happy released on the label.[11][12] In the 1990s, R&B singer Lamarr K. Swing had his debut album which was actually called His Debut Album released on the label. It was manufactured and marketed by Valley Vue Records. It was produced by Lonnie Reaves and the executive producer was Hillery Johnson.[13][14][15]

Reissues

Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers had their album Bustin Loose reissued in the early '90s on the label.[16] Jerry Butler's 1994 album Simply Beautiful was also released on the label.[17]

Artists distributed

Tad Sisler's Jazz album So Good To Come Home To was distributed by Valley Vue in the US.[18] The album featured Gerald Albright and Terri Lyne Carrington.

Catalogue (selective)

LP
  • Johnny Guitar Watson – Strike On Computers - Valley Vue Records – ST-72943 (1987)
  • 101 North - 101 North - Valley Vue Records – C1-90911 (1988)
  • The Manhattans - Sweet Talk - Valley Vue Records – D1-72946 (1989)
  • Craig T. Cooper - Craig T. Cooper Project - Valley Vue Records – D1-72947 (1989)
  • Craig T. Cooper – Got-That-Thang - Valley Vue Records – D1-72992 (1990)
  • Wayne Boyer – This One's For Me - Valley Vue Records – V1-61290 (1990) [19]
  • Gary Taylor - Take Control - Valley Vue Records - V2-21191 (1991)

References
  1. Soul Train 10 of The Best Ballads of the 80s, The Manhattans, Why You Wanna Love Me Like This (1989)
  2. Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office: Trademarks, Volume 1162, Issue 2 Page 15, 138
  3. Mainstream Source Artist Bio's Tad Sisler
  4. The Afro American Feb 18, 1978 Page 28 National Roundup
  5. Who Produced IT Single Artist as Contributor: Hillery Johnson
  6. Billboard October 15, 1983 Page 36, Jazz - Fledgling ITA Label Maps Ambitious Plans
  7. JazzTimes April 1996 Page 105
  8. PMP Network Jerry Butler Iceman
  9. Billboard 24 Nov 1984 Page 64 Recommended
  10. The Gangster of Love: Johnny "Guitar" Watson: Performer, Preacher, Pimp By Vincent Bakker Page 175, 176
  11. Chicago Sun-Times October 14, 1988 DAVE'S DAWN PATROL Dave Hoekstra
  12. Encyclopedia of the Blues by Edward Komara Page 97, 98 BLAKE, CICERO
  13. rareandobscuremusic Lamarr K. Swing
  14. Discogs Lamarr K. Swing – His Debut Album
  15. KFAI Radio 2/17/2014 Fused Funk Playlist Tracks: Lamar K Swing - Low key (remix)
  16. The Washington Post May 4, 2002 A Man of Solid Go-Go Gold By Natalie Hopkinson
  17. MTV Jerry Butler Discography Album Simply Beautiful Label Valley Vue Released July 22, 1994
  18. Mainstream Source Artist Bio's Tad Sisler
  19. Discogs Valley Vue Records
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