MRS – Motta’s Recording Studio
The first ever Jamaican label run by Stanley Motta. Specialising in mento and calypso releases. Sometimes called MRS or M.R.S.
In 1951 Stanley Motta built a small recording studio at 93 Hanover Street, Kingston (just around the corner from his shop on Harbour Street). The music was cut directly onto acetate lacquers and, as there were no manufacturing facilities on the island, the lacquers were then sent to the UK for mastering and pressing by Decca Records in London. The finished fragile shellac 78rpm records would then be shipped back to Jamaica.
Source: Discogs
Mentomusic
CHIN’S
Chin’s Records was a Jamaican record label owned by Ivan Chin in the mid-1950s.
Without Ivan Chin, there would never have been a Chin’s Calypso Sextet, and without a Chin’s Calypso Sextet, Mento would never have achieved great success. Chin – an electronic technician – recorded, produced, and financed all the recordings done by the group at his store, situated at 48 Church Street, downtown Kingston. It was at his instigation that the group was formed between 1952 and 1953 and duly named after him.
Chin’s Records operated out of the own radio store at 48 Church Street in Kingston, Jamaica, which was also the location of the recording studio. Most records were pressed by Decca or Melodisc. Ivan Chin stated that the first record he made sold for three shillings and sixpence in 1955. This is roughly $.34 in current US dollars.
Some 96 songs were reportedly recorded and produced by Chin, with The Chin’s Calypso Sextet accounting for about 35 by Bedasse’s count.
