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'''Calla Records''' was a small, New York City-based independent black owned [[soul music|Soul]] record label run by Nate McCalla (1930-1980)<ref name=Burnstein/> and active from approximately 1965 to 1977.

McCalla was an associate and bodyguard for [[Morris Levy]] who headed [[Roulette Records]] which had known ties to [[American Mafia|the mob]].

Artists recording for the label include [[J.J. Jackson (singer)|J.J. Jackson]], Jimmie Raye, [[The Sandpebbles (R&B group)|The Sandpebbles]], Little Jerry Williams (aka [[Swamp Dogg]]), [[Jean Wells]], [[The Emotions]], [[The Fuzz (band)|The Fuzz]], [[Lonnie Youngblood]], [[The Persuaders (band)|The Persuaders]], and [[Geraldine Hunt]] among others.<ref>[http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/callarecords.htm Discography at ''Soulful Kinda Music'' magazine]</ref> Initially distributed by [[Cameo-Parkway Records]], the label became part of [[Roulette Records]]. The label was subsequently distributed by Shakat Records, a United States [[disco music|disco]] label<ref>[https://www.discogs.com/label/194524-Shakat-Records Particulars of Shakat Records]; [[Discogs]]. Retrieved 2017-09-22.</ref> and [[Epic Records]].

In 1968, the Calla Records catalogue was acquired by [[Warner Bros. Records]].<ref>Others assert that the rights were licensed, rather than sold. See David Edwards and Mike Callahan, [http://www.bsnpubs.com/roulette/calla.html Calla Album Discography]; Both Sides Now Publications. Retrieved 2017-09-22.</ref> The label nonetheless continued, developing new artists, such as [[The Fuzz (band)|The Fuzz]], into the early 1970s, and then releasing a number of disco-oriented albums in 1975 and 1976.<ref>David Edwards and Mike Callahan, [http://www.bsnpubs.com/roulette/calla.html Calla Album Discography]; Both Sides Now Publications. Retrieved 2017-09-22.</ref>

Calla Records ceased operations in 1977. McCalla was found murdered, execution style, in 1980, allegedly on the orders of Morris Levy.<ref name=Burnstein>Scott M. Burnstein, [http://gangsterreport.com/the-music-concert-murders-four-on-the-floor-following-mob-backed-maryland-concert-40-years-ago The Music Concert Murders: Four On The Floor Following Mob-Backed Maryland Concert Almost 40 Yrs. Ago]; The Gangster Report, April, 2016. Retrieved 2017-09-22.</ref>

== Recordings released under on Calla label ==

*1965 - "[[Let Me Down Easy (Bettye LaVette song)|Let Me Down Easy]]" / "What I Don't Know" - Betty LaVette (Calla C-102)
*1965 - "I Feel Good (All Over)" / "Only Your Love Can Save Me" - Betty LaVette (Calla C-104)
*1965 - "Baby, You're My Everything" / "Just What Do You Plan to Do about It" - Little Jerry Williams (Calla C-105)
*1965 - "Stand Up Like A Man" / "I'm Just A Fool For You" - Betty LaVette (Calla C-106)
*1966 - "Baby, Bunny (Sugar Honey)" / "Philly Duck" - Little Jerry Williams (Calla C-109)
*1966 - "If You Ask Me (Because I Love You)" / "Yvonne" - Jerry Williams (Calla C-116)
*1966 - "Boogaloo Baby" / "[[But It's Alright]]" - J.J. Jackson (Calla C-119)
*1967 - "What's the Matter with You Baby" / "What Do You Plan to Do about It" - Jerry Williams (Calla C-121)
*1967 - "Love Power" / "Because of Love" - The Sand Pebbles (Calla C-141)
*1967 - "Run Run Roadrunner" / "I'm in the Danger Zone" - Jerry Williams (Calla MU 1285)
*1968 - "That'll Get It" / "It's Written All Over Your Face" - Jimmie Raye (Calla) MS 6705A
*1968 - "Oh Lord, Why Lord?" - Los Pop Tops (Calla C-154)
*1970 - "[[I Love You for All Seasons]]"/"I Love You for All Seasons" <small>(Instrumental)</small> - [[The Fuzz (band)|The Fuzz]] (Calla C-174)
*1971 - "[[Like an Open Door]]"/"Leave It All Behind Me" - The Fuzz (Calla C-177)
*1971 - "I'm So Glad"/"All About Love" - The Fuzz (Calla C-179)
*1971 - ''[[The Fuzz (album)|The Fuzz]]'' - The Fuzz (Calla SC-2001)
*1996 - ''Soul of the '60s: Vol. 1''

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.bsnpubs.com/roulette/calla.html Calla album discography from BSN Pubs]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:American record labels]]

Calla Records - Revision history

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