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1960s UNI RECORDS 45 RPM Record Sleeve
1960s UNI RECORDS 45 RPM Record Sleeve

In 1962, growing media conglomerate the Music Corporation of America (MCA) acquired popular Decca Records and its subsidiary labels Coral and Brunswick. Since MCA's creation in 1924 as a talent booking agent, the company by 1960 had expanded into motion pictures and television production, so it's entry into the recorded music industry was a given.
With a few exceptions, Decca's artist roster tended to appeal to a slightly older audience which was fine in 1962. However, by 1966 the music landscape had changed drastically and MCA wanted to tap into a hipper, younger music market. Rather than purchase more new labels, they started their own, Universal City Records, better known by its abbreviation, Uni.
The label's initial roster consisted mostly of psychedelic pop groups with names like The Hippy Dippys and The Lollipop Shop. One such group, The Strawberry Alarm Clock gave Uni its first big hit, 'Incense and Peppermints' which went to #1 in November of 1967.
Uni would soon expand its roster to include jazz (Hugh Masekela, Larry Carlton), comedy (David Steinberg, Bill Cosby), R&B (Betty Everett, Garland Green), and reggae (Desmond Dekker). Several artists on Uni would go on to greater success elsewhere: The Osmond Brothers, David Essex, Paul Carrack, Cliff Richard (at least in the U.S.), and actress Marcia Strassman (best known for her roles in "Welcome Back, Kotter" and "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids").
Three artists who had early success on Uni would eventually become among the most successful acts of the '70s and '80s: Neil Diamond (who moved to Uni from Bang Records), Elton John, and Olivia Newton-John.
In 1972, MCA consolidated all of its labels into the new MCA Records and Uni was no more. Until 1988 that is, when the label was revived with artists such as Eric B & Rakim, Transvision Vamp, and Wet Wet Wet. The new Uni Records produced few hits and after two years was shuttered again.

Check out a few of Uni's biggest hits:
> STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK - Incense and Peppermints [#1-1967] ---> youtu.be/sOs1O85uEfA
> NEIL DIAMOND - Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) [#4-1969] ---> youtu.be/NsLyI1_R01M
> THE FOUNDATIONS - Build Me Up Buttercup [#3-1969] ---> youtu.be/9LyDhPP8b6w
> ELTON JOHN - Rocket Man [#6-1972] ---> youtu.be/-LX7WrHCaUA
> BRIAN HYLAND - Gypsy Woman [#3-1970] ---> youtu.be/RrSes5YxDtM
> HUGH MASEKELA - Grazing In The Grass [#1-1968] ---> youtu.be/34MABAmSkEc

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Taken on: September 4, 2013
Sets appears in:   • 45 RPM Record Company Sleeves   
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1960s UNI RECORDS 45 RPM Record Sleeve

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