Minit Records was an American independent record label, originally based in New Orleans and founded by Joe Banashak in 1959. Ernie K-Doe, Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, and Benny Spellman were early artists on the label. Later artists included Bobby Womack and Ike & Tina Turner.
History
Allen Toussaint was responsible for much of the label's early success, he wrote, produced, arranged and played piano on a number of tracks. The label's first hit was Toussaint's production of "Ooh Poo Pah Doo - Part 2" by Jessie Hill in 1960. After making a distribution deal with Imperial Records, the label released its biggest hit, "Mother-in Law" by Ernie K-Doe reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B singles chart in 1961.
When Allen Toussaint was drafted into the Army in 1963, the hits dried up and the label was sold to Imperial. Banashak also owned Instant Records, which he kept. Minit was acquired by Liberty Records in 1963 as part of its acquisition of Imperial Records. In 1968, Liberty was bought by Transamerica Corporation and combined with United Artists Records. Two years later Imperial and Minit were shut down and transferred to Liberty. In 1971, Liberty and its remaining labels (except for Soul City, whose catalog was sold to Bell Records) were absorbed into United Artists. In 1979, EMI purchased United Artists. The Minit catalog is currently owned by UMG, successor-in-interest to previous owner EMI.
Label variations 1961-1963: (catalog #s MR-601-626) Orange with black print and disclaimer indicating "C/O Imperial Records, Hollywood, Calif. Later pressings of some records in this period are on the second label." 1961-1963 (catalog #s 626-666): Black label with multi-color logo centered at top reading "MINIT RECORDS" with clock inside lettering; in middle of label, magenta bars contain publishing information and track time (left), catalog number and performance type (right). Silver print for all other text, including disclaimer at bottom which reads "PRODUCED AND MANUFACTURED BY IMPERIAL RECORDS INC. HOLLYWOOD 28, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A." 1964-1968: (new series, catalog #s 32000-32076) Black label with silver print, multi-color logo on left side with "MINIT" inside the logo and "A PRODUCT OF LIBERTY RECORDS" under MINIT. Disclaimer at bottom of label reads "A DIVISION OF LIBERTY RECORDS." 1969-1970: (catalog #s 32077-32088) Same as black label mentioned above but with the "PRODUCT" disclaimer removed under "MINIT" inside the logo. Disclaimer at bottom of label now reads "LIBERTY/UA, INC."
Selected discography Albums +Catalog No.Release dateUSUS R&BTitleArtistLP-24005196625Turning PointJimmy HolidayLP-400071967Like It 'TisAaron Neville LP-240121968Flippin' - The Very Funny Flip WilsonFlip WilsonLP-24014Jan 1969Fly Me to the Moon Bobby WomackLP-24017May 1969The Stinger ManJimmy McCracklinLP-24018Jun 196914219In PersonIke & Tina Turner LP 240231969Blue All The WayTina BrittLP 24024Dec 1969Blues ManLittle Jr. ParkerLP-24027Apr 1970My PrescriptionBobby Womack
Singles +Catalog No.Release dateUSUS R&BSingle (A-side, B-side)Artist607Feb 1960283"Ooh Poo Pah Doo - Part 1" b/w "Ooh Poo Pah - Part 2"Jessie Hill611Jun 196091"Whip It On Me" b/w 'I Need Your Love"Jessie Hill623Jan 196111"Mother-In-Law" b/w "Wanted, $10,000.00 Reward"Ernie K-Doe627May 19615321"Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" b/w "Real Man"Ernie K-Doe32002May 19669821"Baby, I Love You" b/w "You Won't Get Away"Jimmy Holiday32016Jan 196736"Everybody Needs Help b/w "Give Me Your Love"Jimmy Holiday32027Feb 196833"What Is This" b/w "What You Gonna Do (When Your Love Is Gone)"Bobby Womack32048Jul 19685216"Fly Me to the Moon" b/w "Take Me"Bobby Womack32055Nov 19684320"California Dreamin'" b/w "Baby, You Oughta Think It Over"Bobby Womack32059Mar 196948"I Left My Heart in San Francisco" b/w "Love, the Time Is Now"Bobby Womack32060Mar 19699846"I'm Gonna Do All I Can (To Do Right by My Man)" b/w "You've Got Too Many Ties That Bind"Ike & Tina Turner32071Jul 196943"It's Gonna Rain" b/w "Thank You"Bobby Womack32981Oct 19699413"How I Miss You Baby" b/w "Tried and Convicted"Bobby Womack32087Jan 19705721"Come Together" b/w "Honky Tonk Women"Ike & Tina Turner32093Mar 19709023"More Than I Can Stand" b/w "Arkansas State Prison"Bobby Womack
See also List of record labels
References