Supreme Records (Los Angeles)

Supreme Records was a small, independent record label based in Los Angeles that existed from 1947 to 1950. It was founded by dentist Albert Patrick and specialized in rhythm and blues. Its artists included Jimmy Witherspoon, Paula Watson, Buddy Tate, Eddie Williams and his Brown Buddies (with Floyd Dixon), Big Jim Wynn, and Percy Mayfield.[1][2]

Supreme Records
Paula Watson (left), Albert Patrick (right)
Cash Box magazine late 1940s
Founded1947 (1947)
FounderAlbert Patrick
Defunct1950 (1950)
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s)Black & White Records
GenreR&B
Country of originUnited States
LocationLos Angeles, California

Hits

Supreme's two greatest hits were Paula Watson's "A Little Bird Told Me," which sold over a million copies,[3] and Jimmy Witherspoon's version of "Ain't Nobody's Business," recorded on Albert Patrick's request, which lasted 34 weeks on Billboard's Rhythm & Blues hit list.[4]

Lawsuits

Supreme got involved in a costly lawsuit against Decca for copyright infringement on the arrangement of Paula Watson's version of "A Little Bird Told Me," with their version of Evelyn Knight. The judge ruled in favor of Decca, stating that arrangements on an existing composition cannot be considered as property. He also stated that the arrangement on Watson's version lacked originality and the differences between the versions were evident.[3][5]

In another lawsuit, the label lost its pressing and distribution partner Black & White Records after settling a dispute over Black & White selling its pressing line to Monogram in Canada.[6]

Closing

Due to the financial duress from the lawsuits, Supreme shut down in 1950. Most of the masters were sold to Swing Time Records. "Two Years of Torture", recorded by Percy Mayfield was re-released by John Dolphin's label, Dolphin's of Hollywood.[1]

References
  1. "Forgotten Sessions" (Part 2), by J.C. Marion, Jamm Upp (The World of Marion-Net E-Zines; home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/), Issue 5 (1999) (retrieved June 7, 2016)
  2. "Supreme records 78rpm numerical listing discography," by Jack Black, Jr., & Tyrone Settlemier, The Online Discographical Project, updated thru August 13, 2010 (retrieved June 17, 2015)
  3. I Don't Sound Like Nobody: Remaking Music in 1950s America, by Albin Zak, University of Michigan Press (2010), pg. 143; OCLC 671648362; ISBN 978-0-472-11637-9
  4. Blue Rhythms: Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues, by Chip Deffaa, University of Illinois Press (1996), pps. 148 & 225; OCLC 32627349; ISBN 9780252022036
  5. "Supreme Loses Case For 400G Against Decca," Billboard, May 13, 1950, pg. 12
  6. "Supreme, B&W Bury Hatchet Out of Court," Billboard, April 9, 1949, pg. 19
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