TOPIC

The Workers Music Association (WMA) initiated the launch of Topic Records in 1939, aiming to disseminate music that aligned with the Communist Party's ideals through the medium of 10” double-sided 78rpm discs. These discs were made available to WMA members either as part of their annual subscription or as an additional purchase. The label's inaugural release, TRC 1, featured "The Internationale" paired with "The Man Who Put the Water in the Workers' Beer," a lighthearted song performed by Paddy Ryan from the Unity Theatre. Topic Records went on to re-issue TRC 1 multiple times, each with different pairings that included "The Soviet Fatherland Song" and readings by Nancy Head, Alan Bush’s wife, with musical accompaniment by Shostakovich.

As of the beginning of 2013, Topic Records, recognized as Britain's longest-standing independent record label, embarked on an extensive digitization project. This project focuses on making its esteemed back catalog available for download, starting with releases from the late 1950s onward. This digitization effort underscores Topic's commitment to preserving and making accessible its rich history of producing music of "historical and social interest," maintaining its close ties with the WMA.

Source: Wikipedia/History Workshop