The gamble paid off, and other premium gospel artists signed on, including the Soul Stirrers, The Sensational Nightingales, The Williams Brothers, The Truthettes, and The Angelic Gospel Singers, to name a few. This was followed by thirteen chart records and five Grammy nominations for Moore by 1980.Īnother Malaco gamble in late 1975 was targeting the gospel market again with the Jackson Southernaires. "Misty Blue" earned gold records around the world, peaking at #2 R&B and #3 pop in the USA, and #5 in England. Luckily, it took off the moment it hit radio turntables. With just enough cash to press and mail out the record, "Misty Blue" was released on the Malaco label just before Thanksgiving. Now, in 1975, Malaco was broke and desperate for something to sell. When Dorothy Moore recorded "Misty Blue" in 1973, Malaco got stacks of rejection slips trying to shop the master to other labels. As cash flow dried up, a disenchanted Mitchell Malouf left the company. Also in 1973, King Floyd's "Woman Don't Go Astray" made #5 R&B.īy 1974, however, studio bookings were down to a trickle, Atlantic had dropped their distribution option, King Floyd had become difficult to work with, and Wardell Quezergue had lost his magic touch. Later that year, Malaco released its first gospel record, "Gospel Train" by the Golden Nuggets. And, in January 1973, Paul Simon recorded material for his There Goes Rhymin' Simon album. Atlantic sent the Pointer Sisters among others for the Malaco touch Stax sent Rufus Thomas and others. Malaco's studio and session musicians were now in demand. Big Stuff," selling over two million copies on the way to #1 on the R&B charts and #2 pop. Meanwhile, Stax decided to take a chance on "Mr. In 1971, Chimneyville scored again with King Floyd's "Baby Let Me Kiss You" (#5 R&B and #29 Pop). "Groove Me" entered the national charts in October, going to #1 R&B and #6 pop. When "Groove Me" started a wildfire of radio play and sales, Atlantic picked the record up for distribution after all, giving Malaco a label deal for future Chimneyville product. Frustrated, Malaco released the King Floyd tracks on its own Chimneyville label. Big Stuff." But the tracks met rejection when submitted to Stax and Atlantic Records for distribution. Wardell brought five artists to Jackson in a borrowed school bus for a marathon session that yielded two mega-hits - King Floyd's "Groove Me" and Jean Knight's "Mr. With very little money left, Malaco knew this might be their last shot at making something happen. He offered to supply Malaco with artists in return for studio time and session musicians. Wardell Quezergue made his mark with New Orleans stalwarts Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, and others. In May 1970, a bespectacled producer-arranger changed the struggling company's fortune. Revenue from record releases was minimal, however, and Malaco survived doing jingles, booking bands, promoting concerts, and renting the studio for custom projects. Deals for other artists were concluded with ABC, Mercury, and Bang. Between 19, Capitol Records released six singles and a Grammy-nominated album by legendary bluesman Mississippi Fred McDowell. Malaco needed to license their early recordings with established labels for national distribution. Experimenting with local songwriters and artists, the company began producing master recordings. In 1967 the company opened a recording studio in a building that remains the home of Malaco Records. Wolf Stephenson joined them in promoting concerts by Herman's Hermits, the Who, the Animals, and others. "The Last Soul Company" started as a pocket-change enterprise in the early 1960s with college students Tommy Couch and Wolf Stephenson booking bands for fraternity dances at the University of Mississippi.Īfter graduation, Tommy Couch opened shop in Jackson, Mississippi as Malaco Attractions with brother-in-law Mitchell Malouf (Malouf + Couch = Malaco). After more than 30 years of making black music for black people, Malaco Records defines the state of contemporary southern rhythm and blues, soul, and gospel. After graduation, Tommy Couch opened shop in Jackson, Mississippi as Malaco Attractions with brother-in-law Mitchell Malouf. "The Last Soul Company" started as a pocket-change enterprise in the early 1960s with college students Tommy Couch and Wolf Stephenson booking bands for fraternity dances at the University of Mississippi.
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