Economy - Latest Updates

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

Oh, so the 'Trombone Man' 45 is a different track! To be honest I hadn't noticed as I don't own the Junior 45 and only listened to it on the youtube clip and just presumed it was the same after only playing the LP once so far. If it was a vocal track I'd have spotted it! Hard to tell what's what a lot of times with these instrumentals. Thanks Mark.

Upsetter FC: yes, I did hear a lot of Bunny Lee rhythms for sure. Thanks for the info.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

When these tracks were licensed from Bunny Lee by Trybute Records in the late 90s for a CD reissue, I was told by the label owner that one of the Palmer brothers made representations to him for royalties on the basis that as they had paid for the original studio time they should be in on the deal.

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Comment by Upsetter FC:

Most of the tracks are Rico playing over Bunny Lee riddims.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Same title but they're different tracks John.

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

Another track from this LP came out on a 45...
'Trombone Man'
Not Pama distributed though.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

I wouldn't bid on the Camel copy as it jumps (at least once) and the seller is noted for listing very scruffy albums (I'm not sure he even plays them right through either). I've never kept albums that don't play properly, unless they're particularly rare and I didn't pay much for them in the first place. I wasn't aware of this one or the Bullet until I saw them in a Pama catalogue around 1987 and have probably seen no more than half a dozen copies of each since then.

I actually think ECO 34 could be harder to track down than Y,G&B, which I have at least seen a few times here and there.

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

I'd go to £100 for that Camel LP but you know it's gonna smash past that.
And to think, these were cheap as chips back in the day!

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Well done John.

While on the topic of Pama Economy albums, there's a (not so good) copy of the Camel comp on the 'bay, currently at £80. Doubt whether I'll be bidding.

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

Just secured a copy!
VG vinyl and sleeve £150.
Couldn't resist.

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Comment by Upsetter FC:

I never noted that if you look at the A side label, there's a faded "Made In England" stamp on it. Between that and the US style date on the back cover, I get the feeling someone shipped copies to the US for sale. I got this copy in a Brooklyn record shop (probably a few miles from where it was sold originally) for less than £69... It was part of a decent haul at the shop (I acutally was looking for a Larry Harlow LP they had) when I managed to get part of our tax refund from my wife.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

I'd probably have bitten your hand off for it at that price Mike, even 6 years ago.

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Comment by mikec2137 SUBS:

Just checked, and I sold my copy (not mint, but decent) six years ago for £69.

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

I know what you mean about genres! My main focus at the moment is 'blue-eyed' Northern Soul, mainly from the Carolina's although my latest acquisition is from Canada! Also Northern Soul in general. USA and British labels. Expensive!!!
Ska/Reggae secondly, then US Garage and lastly a bit of 60's Mod. I collect other stuff too but these are my main focus.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Sounds like my missus John - we have that in common! Still working too (well, I am anyway).

My problem is I buy from too many genres so it never ends - most recent buy was a Tennessee Ernie album (I wanted 'Shotgun Boogie' on vinyl) and before that the Impressions' Big Sixteen album on HMV. I'll probably get some Reggae next.

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

It was on Discogs Mark for £170 but I offered £150 and it was accepted. A decent copy and the cheapest I could find! It goes for anything between £200 - £300 so it's been valued on here at £250.

I never feel guilty about paying for records, I've worked all my life (still am!), have a bit of spare cash every month. I only really buy long time wants, very rarely 'blind' buys unless they are dirt cheap and look like they might be interesting. The missus buys lots of clothes, I buy records.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Did you pay the £250 for it John? That's a bit of an ouch if so! I think mine was about £75 but it's no more than VG+ and from a seller who clearly wasn't used to selling vinyl. I paid £180 for Boss Reggae not long ago and I kept telling myself I must be mad.

Actually, the two Economy albums I didn't mention not having on another Cat LP entry were the Bullet and Camel sets, but then at upwards of £300 each I'll be sure to never have them. I can't have seen more than a handful of copies of each since I first knew of their existence from a Pama catalogue probably 40 years ago.

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Comment by Upsetter FC:

I found this in a NYC shop for a two digit price in 2024. It's in the LP bag that I bring out every once in a while to play stuff that isn't on 45.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Same for me John. Not the greatest copy in the world but it's decent enough.

Missed a copy in Flash Forward in Camden probably 30 years ago - walked in and Paul said something like 'oh, it's you. I've just sold a copy of 'Reco in Reggae Land'. Gutted.

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

Recent acquisition for me. Long time on my wants list.

The only tracks that Pama put out on a 45 were 'Tribute To Don Drummond / Japanese Invasion' on the Bullet label.

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

[YouTube Video]

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Have an ok copy and would love an upgrade, but I can't justify spending three figures on something I already own and, to be honest, haven't played in 30+ years (plus I must have about ten of the tracks on 45s).

Fabulous sleeve, and I've never known who the chap with Derrick is - I've always thought one of the Palmer brothers.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Bought a copy from a Record Collector sales list probably early '90s, near mint and I think £12, in the days where you sent a self-addressed envelope in the hope that it gets to the seller first. I obviously hit the jackpot, although there wasn't as much interest in vintage Reggae back then.

I only need a handful of Pama albums for a complete set now - 'Best of Camel', 'World of Bullet', 'African Melody' and 'Doreen Shaeffer' remain. I actually had the latter in my hands in 1986 and thought 'I'll come back for that later'. Plonker!

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

Added some images.
One I'd love to have, I'd even buy a beat up copy!

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

Just added.

Pretty sure all these tracks were afforded a 45 release in the UK except for track A4 'Stand By Me'.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Nice copy finished on e-bay a few days ago for £271. Compared to the earlier Economy titles, this one and ECO 34 seemed to be pressed in much smaller quantities.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Thanks John - just seen your message. Maybe I should pick this up if I see it at an affordable price, even as a completist buy. I think I have all the Economy albums except the Doreen Shaeffer (admittedly nearly 40 years ago, but I had my hands on one and left it!).

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

I did message you on here Mark but you've just answered my question

The other track 'Long From There' (possibly?) is quite good too with a great 69 boss beat.

I only paid £12 for my copy.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Never had or heard this one - I guess forking out for a copy for just these two vocal tracks is a bit OTT, although 'Mother Mack' is rather good. Jet Star must have seen enough mileage in it to have put it on CD.

I think there are also a couple of tracks with Reggae beats on the Watford Gospel Singers' set on Pama.

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

As suggested in the notes on this listing, the last 2 tracks on the LP are unlisted Reggae tunes.

The first of the 2 is on youtube and I've posted it here. It is suggested that the title is 'Skinny Man' (although I think this is one of the subjects in the comedy act) although they seem to sing about 'Mother Mack'(?) quite a lot.

The second track sounds like it could be titled 'Long From There' or similar?

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

One of the music tracks on the LP...'Mother Mack'
[YouTube Video]

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Comment by johnnyhotspur:

Label should be 'Economy' not Pama.
mod edit: changed and Pama included as secondary label.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

My copy has quite a few clicks and pops on track 6, side 1, although the vinyl looks clean. So I can only assume Pama mastered this from a Jamaican vinyl copy, which is odd as I don't believe some of the tracks have ever turned up and the thinking seems to be that they would all have been on tape (I doubt Coxsone would have issued them on Stereo 45s). Not sure whether the same is true of the other tracks on the album - have to say I don't find the the sound quality that great.

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Comment by Madame Streggae:

Tracks A1 and B2 feature Gene Rondo.