Gangsters (Acetate)

The original bass heavy Gangsters cut that blew the needle out of the vinyl groove as mentioned in Horace's book "Ska'd For Life".

The owner was Carol Maye who was a friend of Jerry Dammers. Carol's husband was Mike Horseman, the well-known DJ from Birmingham.

Photos courtsey of Jason Needham who credits a joint effort by Simon Tipper via Dylan Gibbons. (son of singer-songwriter Steve Gibbons) for sourcing the photos.

The record labels are of Midland Sound Recordings, of Balsall Common, Warwickshire. The Midland Sound studio made many acetates and demos for local bands; it also made custom recordings on its own label from around 1962 and throughout the 1970s. The company was based originally at 40, Bishop Street, Coventry. They also had a small Reggae label; apparently a DIY one. There were at least seven releases on MSR, one of which was only available as a 12" single. Five of them of featured the Mighty Soul Rebels or the Soul Rebels (reportedly a precursor of that band); presumably the label belonged to one or more of the band members. The Rebels were from London; founder member Leon Leiffer went on to be one of the Blackstones.

(MSR info from www.7tt77.co.uk )