R & B HISTORY LESSON # 2 – PYE INTERNATIONAL

The second part of a new series charting the pioneering classic 60’s UK soul labels. Today it’s Pye International records. Not to be confused with the main Pye label which released UK reorded discs, Pye International was a great outlet for American music. It began in 1958 and continued until the late 70’s, though of course it’s the 60’s period that we are concentrating. Chess was perhaps the most important label handled by Pye Int, having switched from London and then finally given it’s own label in 1965. Other labels released in the UK on Pye were Kama Sutra, Moonglow, A & M, Autumn, HBR and many more. Some of the biggest Northern sounds on the label came from Rosco Robinson, Ronnie Milsap, The Dynatones and Chuck Jackson.