There have been a couple of threads on here where US 7" jukebox mini LP's (7" size) have been mentioned recently.

Coz of that I decided to look more into the activities of a few companies who put these out; one of these being Baltimore based One-Stop outfit Redisco.

Redisco were certainly operating as a successful One Stop as far back as 1958 .....

They got into the Mini LP business in the mid 60's and had quite a few titles available by 1968.

Unlike many other companies that collaborated with big record labels, Redisco started their own label (Bomar) and released their 7" LP's under their own logo rather than under the original label's name.

A few of the titles that they put out (they tended to be MOR things) ....

They were going all out to promote their 7" LP's to the business in 1968 .....

But other outfits had bought into the concept quite a bit sooner.

The likes of ABC, Chess, Duke, RCA, Kapp & others had tie-ups with manufacturers who made 7" LP's for them.

Seeburg & Rockola (Jukebox makers) marketed these mini LP's direct to their customers from the early 60's ...

In 1964, Kapp even had a go at selling their 7" LP's to the public via normal record stores ....

By 1968, London Records were also giving a big push to 7" LP's ....

Edited October 22, 201212 yr by Roburt

A bit of a side issue now .........

.... I know Bucky Buchman of Redisco & the Bomar label was close friends with the guys that ran the Pittsburgh based One-Stops .....

So could his Bomar label have any links at all with the Pittsburgh based Bo-Mar label that put out Johnny Gilliam's 45 in 1965 (Bucky perhaps taking the label name from the Pittsburgh outfit) .....

Johnny Gilliam had soon moved on from (Pittsburgh's) Bo-Mar Records & was later signed to West Coast based Kent Records ....

By 1971, an American based in the UK who ran a jukebox business had started importing US 7" LP's to place on his machines based in England ....

... I wonder why then so few used to seem to turn up here then (I'd think he would have fetched in mini LP's by decent artists and not all the MOR crap that so many US companies had put on the format in the early to mid 60's) ...

Edited October 22, 201212 yr by Roburt

By 1972, Redisco seemed to have lost interest in their Bomar label & mini LP's ...

..... they had started pushing adult-content party 12" LP's .................

Johnny Gilliam's Bo-Mar 45 .............

Was there some reason why they didn't call them EPs? ie Extended Plays

The US never bought into the EP concept (always big in the UK, Europe & Sth America) ....

the vast majority of the 4 track 7" LP's they put out were edited LP's or jukebox items to promote various artists LP's.

I have a few various artist 7" US LP's that obviously weren't just being used to promote a single LP but they were still called mini or little LP's in the US ....

By 1969, Baltimore's Bomar label had expanded into 45 releases itself ..........

By early 1971, Redisco was unloading its old Bomar 7" mini LP's at discount rates to clear the 'back-stock' ....

The Baltimore Bomar label ..............

Motown still seemed to be putting out mini LP's well into the 70's .....

... anyone know when their last 7" jukebox mini LP was released (by the date of issue of the 12" album version it was lifted from) ??

In all my years of collecting I've never heard of these. Nice one mate, interesting stuff.

Roger

In all my years of collecting I've never heard of these. Nice one mate, interesting stuff.

Roger

That's because we call them EPs

That's because we call them EPs

I know mate, but it's interesting to see a different take on it. Being a graphics bod, it's great to see those old ads as well, always a source of inspiration for me, especially the typography they used to use.

Roger

The US never bought into the EP concept (always big in the UK, Europe & Sth America) ....

the vast majority of the 4 track 7" LP's they put out were edited LP's or jukebox items to promote various artists LP's.

I have a few various artist 7" US LP's that obviously weren't just being used to promote a single LP but they were still called mini or little LP's in the US ....

By 1969, Baltimore's Bomar label had expanded into 45 releases itself ..........

So it's an American versus Europe terminology thing then? We called them EPs, they called them Mini LPs?

Not being technically minded, out of interest, would cramming more tracks into the 7 inch format affect the sound quality in any way?

Roger

Not being technically minded, out of interest, would cramming more tracks into the 7 inch format affect the sound quality in any way?

Roger

Yes, it would. But I think it helps if the speed is reduced from 45rpm to 33.1/3rpm. Having said that, there will always be less space in which the grooves can move on a 7" record if you're cramming anywhere between 2 and 4 tracks per side, which will affect fidelity.

Not being technically minded, out of interest, would cramming more tracks into the 7 inch format affect the sound quality in any way?

Roger

Roger, as already stated coz they were 33rpm, you could easily fit 2 x 1960's length tracks on one side of a 7" disc.

In lots of South American countries (Brazil being the main one), just about all 7" records were 33 rpm. Coz of that a 60's US 45 track when released in Brazil on 7" only used a tiny section of the vinyl with the run-out section takin up well over 50% of the grooved area.

So, in Brazil, they tended to put out loads more EP's, thuss the vinyl area was used more effectively.

Coz of that, there are loads of 60's & 70's LP tracks that only appear on 7" releases in Brazil.

Roger, as already stated coz they were 33rpm, you could easily fit 2 x 1960's length tracks on one side of a 7" disc.

AND IN THE UK, WE WERE DOING THAT WITH 45rpm EPs. SOMETIMES WITH AS MANY AS 3 TRACKS PER SIDE. BUT FIDELITY WAS POOR

In lots of South American countries (Brazil being the main one), just about all 7" records were 33 rpm. Coz of that a 60's US 45 track when released in Brazil on 7" only used a tiny section of the vinyl with the run-out section takin up well over 50% of the grooved area.

I WONDER HOW 7" SINGLES AT 33.1/3rd WOULD HAVE HAVE SOUNDED WITH JUST ONE TRACK PER SIDE, WITH ALL THAT SPACE TO FIT NICE WIDE WAVY GROOVES?

So, in Brazil, they tended to put out loads more EP's, thuss the vinyl area was used more effectively.

Coz of that, there are loads of 60's & 70's LP tracks that only appear on 7" releases in Brazil.

Another Billboard piece (from 71) on Little LP's ............

check these guys collected them yrs agoo..stax.

sos french mini lp,s....set of 5.....by stax..brill...and theres more..xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

sos french mini lp,s....set of 5.....by stax..brill...and theres more..xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I can't quite see / make it out. But are there 3 tracks per side on a set of 5 7" disks making up a set?

Willie Mitchell Mini LP's ..............

Motown still seemed to be putting out mini LP's well into the 70's .....

... anyone know when their last 7" jukebox mini LP was released (by the date of issue of the 12" album version it was lifted from) ??

The last Mini LP from the Motown company was Diana Ross - Everything Is Everything to promote the full album which was issued in the US on Motown 724 in October 1970. The ones issued after this actually were/are regarded as EPs as far as I know.

There are two really distinct types of Motown Mini LP.

1. The ones that were issued in the 60s, made from good quality cardboard and were specifically manufactured for jukebox use, hence they all have Jukebox inserts and title strips as well . I think, (without digging through my notes), that these were manufactured in Ohio somewhere if my memory serves me correctly?* I think there are 32 of these. At least the first one: Great March To Freedom and the final one : Voices Of The Tabernacle have no picture sleeve. Apart from these two they were all issued on a mini label of the LP they were culled from and came with a fantastic full color exact replicas of the albums too. But no inner sleeves that Motown's albums of that era are famous for were issued with them to my knowledge. (Shame).

2. The ones that were issued in paper sleeves for the 70s, (of which there are only 4), have none (to my knowledge at least), of the jukebox inserts or title strips.These later ones were manufactured by Little LPs Unlimited a company in Northfield, Illinois.

* I'm not 100% sure though.

I need a couple to complete if anyone can help?

Jr Walker - Shotgun

Martha and The Vandellas - Watchout

Regards,

Dave

I've only got the one i can think of

It's Lou Rawls Capitol one with Breaking My Back on it.

3 tracks per side, came with the juke box slips.

tony

I believe that they usually featured around 6 tracks & that the covers were mini replicas of the full 12" album covers.

So if the 12" album featured a full track listing on its front cover, the mini LP version also did.

If you liked a track listed on the cover & it wasn't actually one of the 6 picked out from the full album track compliment (around 10 in all), it must have been very frustrating if you had obtained a copy of the 7" version.

Edited October 22, 201212 yr by Roburt

An early Little LP ad ..... from 1961 ....

Not meant for jukebox use, but to be sold direct to the public.

Edited October 22, 201212 yr by Roburt

I believe that they usually featured around 6 tracks & that the covers were mini replicas of the full 12" album covers.

So if the 12" album featured a full track listing on its front cover, the mini LP version also did.

If you liked a track listed on the cover & it wasn't actually one of the 6 picked out from the full album track compliment (around 10 in all), it must have been very frustrating if you had obtained a copy of the 7" version.

And in addition the ones I have - mainly Jazz - have sheets of miniature LP covers included for display purposes plus multiple Jukebox strips - I think they would frame up nice

Love those Mini Lp's!

here's a few scans,

Steve

Steve,

Nice Martha and The Vandellas. If you ever wanna shift it give me a knock Mate.

Regards,

Dave

Steve,

Nice Martha and The Vandellas. If you ever wanna shift it give me a knock Mate.

Regards,

Dave

Dave, you'd be first for it mate, if I give up looking for those "little lp's" Seems so hard these days to see 'em complete with strips and little pic's when they turn up? though maybe I've not been looking a lot of late!

atb

steve

Nancy Wilson had a few 7" albums released, nice version if "Reach out for me" on one

I have one by the Impressions - Ridin' High on ABC Paramount.

has 6 tracks.

Ian.

Nancy Wilson had a few 7" albums released, nice version if "Reach out for me" on one

Was that a 6 track or a 4 track? I've got it but can't remember?

these are the ones I know of

Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go, A Bit Of Liverpool, More Hits, I Hear A Symphony, A Go-Go, Sing H-D-H

Diana Ross - Everything Is Everything

Supremes & Four Tops - Magnificent Seven

Four Tops - On Top

Temptations - Temptin' Temptations, Gettin' Ready, Greatest Hits

Miracles - Going To A Go-Go, Greatest Hits From The Beginning

Marvin Gaye - Moods Of Marvin Gaye, Greatest Hits

Martha & The Vandellas - Watchout, Greatest Hits

Marvelettes - Marvelettes (Pink Album), Greatest Hits

Jr. Walker & The All Stars - Shotgun, Road Runner, Soul Session

Stevie Wonder - Down To Earth

Choker Campbell - Hits Of The 60s

Mary Wells - Greatest Hits

Various - Collection Of Original Big Hits Vols 5 & 6

Billy Eckstine - Prime Of My Life

Jackson 5 - Third Album

Abbey Tavern Singers - We're Off To Dublin In The Green

quote name='Dave Moore' timestamp='1350915574' post='1813104'

The last Mini LP from the Motown company was Diana Ross - Everything Is Everything to promote the full album which was issued in the US on Motown 724 in October 1970. The ones issued after this actually were/are regarded as EPs as far as I know.

There are two really distinct types of Motown Mini LP.

1. The ones that were issued in the 60s, made from good quality cardboard and were specifically manufactured for jukebox use, hence they all have Jukebox inserts and title strips as well . I think, (without digging through my notes), that these were manufactured in Ohio somewhere if my memory serves me correctly?* I think there are 32 of these. At least the first one: Great March To Freedom and the final one : Voices Of The Tabernacle have no picture sleeve. Apart from these two they were all issued on a mini label of the LP they were culled from and came with a fantastic full color exact replicas of the albums too. But no inner sleeves that Motown's albums of that era are famous for were issued with them to my knowledge. (Shame).

2. The ones that were issued in paper sleeves for the 70s, (of which there are only 4), have none (to my knowledge at least), of the jukebox inserts or title strips.These later ones were manufactured by Little LPs Unlimited a company in Northfield, Illinois.

* I'm not 100% sure though.

I need a couple to complete if anyone can help?

Jr Walker - Shotgun

Martha and The Vandellas - Watchout

Regards dave

i never seen the m&v mini LP but as you know im collecting all the motown stuff. they also included little pics of the albums and titles pics for thier insertion into the juqueboxes/dukebox

quote name='Edge' timestamp='1350992322' post='1813509'

Love those Mini Lp's!

here's a few scans,

Steve

i had a supremes delivered, the seller thought he was doing me a favour and included a cd of the shirrelles free. the record was craked right along where the cd was. didnt have the heart to give bad feedback

Seems that some manufacturers were still making / pushing mini LP's as late as 1973 ......

.... Dave, do you know much about this outfit ??

Edited November 1, 201212 yr by Roburt

Some Little LP's that were available on order back in 1966 .........

Fascinating! Why don't these little LPs ever show up for sale? Never seen any.

As a sidenote, did anyone else think that "Find Yourself Another" was a Jerry Butler record when they first heard it?

So it's an American versus Europe terminology thing then? We called them EPs, they called them Mini LPs?

As an American, if you asked me what an EP was, I would say a 12" that only has 2 tracks per side...

Seems that some manufacturers were still making / pushing mini LP's as late as 1973 ......

.... Dave, do you know much about this outfit ??

Same as Morris Ballen's set up maybe?

There was a Disc Makers in Philly right up to the late 90s. Will see if the adresses match.

Hey....give 'em a ring!

Regards,

Dave

I just picked up these 7" - Jukebox EPs today... most are NOS and all have original labels & mini covers... included are:

 

 

John Coltrane - Ascension - NEW!

Joe Williams - At Newport '63

Nina Simone - Pastel Blues - NEW!

John Lee Hooker - It Serve You Right To Suffer - NEW!

Pee Wee Russell - Ask Me Now! - NEW!

D-Artega - Flight Of The Fiddles - NEW!

Joe Tex - The New Boss - NEW!

Elvin Jones - Dear John C. - NEW!

 

I'd personally never heard of these before until I ran across these today... Hard to imagine that they've gone all this time without ever being opened...

 

good times!