From the MCRFB news archive: 1962
Motown Expanding Operations Includes Adding New Labels
NEW YORK — Berry Gordy, Jr., and his Tamla-Motown label are expanding their operations to include a new subsidy label and a distribution of an outside line.
The line being handled by the Tamla-Motown firm is is the Harvey label. Harvey, which is a subsidiary of Tri-Phi, currently has an item getting some action around the country in “Cleo’s Mood,” by Junior Walker and the All-Stars and this is the first outside disk to be handled by Motown. The label will also distribute all past and future material on the Harvey label. The new distributor arrangement was concluded between Harvey Fuqua of Harvey Records and Barney Ales of Tamla-Motown.
The Detroit-based Tamla-Motown firm has also debuted a new subsidiary in the Me-lo-dy banner. This makes four labels in the company’s camp: Tamla. Motown. Gordy and the new Ensign.
Berry Gordy, Jr., also reports that the firm is currently at work on jazz and spiritual material. The jazz albums will debut on another label, Workshop Jazz. A set by Earl Washington is currently in distribution, while another by Paula Greer, a Chicago-based songstress, is in the making. The label is searching out native Detroit talent for the line, and will seek newcomers and established stars in other areas of the country as well. END
(Information and news source: Billboard; October 20, 1962).
