Safari Records was a British

independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...

based in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, England, and operating between 1977 and 1985. Safari Records was formed early in 1977 by Tony Edwards (former co-manager of

Deep Purple Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal music, heavy metal and modern hard rock music, but their musical style has changed over the course of its existence. Ori ...

), Andreas Budde (the son of German music publisher Rolf Budde) and John Craig who previously ran

Purple Purple is any of a variety of colors with hue between red and blue. In the RGB color model used in computer and television screens, purples are produced by mixing red and blue light. In the RYB color model historically used by painters, pu ...

and Oyster Records. With the label's founders living in

Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...

Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constitue ...

and

respectively, the plan was to develop a pan-European record company that would release pop records. Licensing deals were struck with

Teldec Teldec (Telefunken-Decca Schallplatten GmbH) is a German record label in Hamburg, Germany. Today the label is a property of Warner Music Group. History Teldec was a producer of (first) shellac and (later) vinyl records. The Teldec manufacturing ...

in Germany and

Disques Vogue Disques Vogue was a jazz record company founded in France by Léon Cabat and Charles Delaunay in 1947, the year after the American Vogue label ceased. They originally specialized in jazz, featuring American performers such as Sidney Bechet, D ...

in France, in the UK its product was pressed and distributed by Pye and later by

Spartan Records Spartan Records was founded by John T. Frazier in Seattle, Washington in January 2007. It is currently home to the bands Schematic, Barren Womb, Ourlives, Shy, Low, and several others. Prior to founding Spartan, Frazier was the director of mar ...

.''Craig, John''
The History of Safari
Safari-records.co.uk Most notable of the label's acts were Wayne County, The Boys, Toyah and the South Africa's first multiracial band

Juluka Juluka was a South African music band formed in 1969 by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. means "sweat" in Zulu, and was the name of a bull owned by Mchunu. The band was closely associated with the mass movement against apartheid. History At t ...

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Wayne County & the Electric Chairs Wayne County & the Electric Chairs were part of the first wave of punk bands from the 1970s. The band was headed by Georgia-born singer Jayne County and became known for their campy, foul-mouthed ballads, glam punk inspired songs and image which ...

, "Fuck Off" (7", 1977) * Tyrone Ashley, ''Looks Like Love Is Here To Stay'' (12", 1977) * The Chanter Sisters, ''Ready For Love'' (LP, 1977) * Glenn Hughes, ''Play Me Out'' (LP, 1977) * ELF, ''Trying To Burn The Sun'' (LP, 1977) * Wayne County & The Electric Chairs, ''Storm The Gates Of Heaven'' (LP, 1978) * Wayne County & The Electric Chairs, ''Man Enough To Be A Woman'' (LP, 1978) * The Chanter Sisters, "Can't Stop Dancing" / "Back On The Road" (7"/12", 1978) * Toyah, ''

Sheep Farming In Barnet ''Sheep Farming in Barnet'' is the debut studio album by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1979 by Safari Records. Background The album was produced by Steve James and future band member Keith Hale. The al ...

'' (1979) * Glenn Hughes, "I Found A Woman" (7", 1979) * Toyah, "

Victims Of The Riddle "Victims of the Riddle" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as the band's debut single in 1979 by Safari Records. The song later featured on the band's album ''Sheep Farming in Barnet''. Background ...

" (7", 1979) * Teenbeats, "

I Can't Control Myself "I Can't Control Myself" is a song by English rock band the Troggs, released as a single in September 1966. It continued their success after " Wild Thing" and "With a Girl Like You", becoming a top-ten hit in a number of countries. Release and ...

" (7", 1979) *

, "Berlin" (7", 1979) * Yobs, "The Rub-A-Dum-Dum"/"Another Christmas" (7", 1979) * The Boys "You Better Move On" / "Schoolgirls" (7", 1980) * Various, Uppers on the South Downs - Mod revival Compilation - UPP1 - Feat. The Teenbeats, The Same, Missing Persons, The South Coast Ska Stars (12", 1980) * Toyah, "Bird In Flight" / "Tribal Look" (7", 1980) * Toyah, ''

The Blue Meaning ''The Blue Meaning'' is the second studio album by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Wilcox, released in 1980 by Safari Records. It reached the Top 40 on the UK Albums Chart. Background The album was recorded at the Parkgate ...

'', (LP, 1980) * Toyah, '' Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!'' (LP, 1980) * The Boys, ''Boys Only'' (LP, 1980) * The Boys, ''To Hell With The Boys'' (LP, 1980) *

Gary Holton Gary Frederick Holton (22 September 1953 – 25 October 1985) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and actor from London. He was the frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids (1972–1977), worked with Casino Steel (1981–1984), and played ...

, "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love To Town)" (7", 1980) * Toyah, "Ieya" (7", 1980) * Toyah, "Danced" (7", 1980) * Genocide, ''Images Of Delusion'' (7", 1980) * Toyah, "It's A Mystery" (7" 1981) * Toyah, " I Want To Be Free" (7", 1981) * Toyah, ''

Anthem An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to short ...

'' (LP, 1981) *

Weapon Of Peace A weapon, arm or armament is any implement or device that can be used to deter, threaten, inflict physical damage, harm, or kill. Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and efficiency of activities such as hunting, crime, law enforcement, s ...

, ''Weapon Of Peace'' (LP, 1981) * Weapon Of Peace, "Jah Love"/"Suspicion"/"West Park" (12", 1981) * Toyah, "Stand Proud" (Flexi, S/Sided) 1981 * Toyah, ''Four From Toyah'' (7", 1981) * Purple Hearts, "My Life's A Jigsaw" (7", 1981) * Toyah, "Thunder In The Mountains" (7", 1981) * Weapon Of Peace, "Jah Love" (7", 1981) *

Those French Girls Safari Records was a British independent record label based in London, England, and operating between 1977 and 1985. Safari Records was formed early in 1977 by Tony Edwards (former co-manager of Deep Purple), Andreas Budde (the son of German mu ...

, "Close-Up" (7", 1981) * Toyah, "Brave New World" (7", 1982) * Toyah, "Ieya" (7", 1982) * Toyah, '' The Changeling'' (LP, 1982) *

Jayne County Wayne Rogers (born July 13, 1947), better known by her stage name Jayne County is an American singer, songwriter, actress and record producer whose career has spanned six decades. Under the name Wayne County (inspired by Wayne County, Michigan), ...

/ Wayne County & The Electric Chairs, ''The Best Of...''(LP, Compilation, 1982) * Wayne County & The Electric Chairs, "Berlin"(extended version)/"Midnight Pal"/ Waiting For The Marines(12 Inch Pink Vinyl,1982) *

, ''Scatterlings'' (LP, 1982) * Those French Girls, "Sorry Sorry" (7"/12", 1982) * Those French Girls, ''Those French Girls'' (LP, 1982) * Cimarons, "Big Girls Don't Cry" (7", 1982) * Toyah, "Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard)" (7", 1982) * Toyah, '' Warrior Rock'' (LP, 1982) * Juluka, "Umbaqanga Music" (7", 1982) * English Evenings, "What's The Matter With Helen?" (7", 1983) * Tony Ashton & Lynda Hayes, "Resurrection Shuffle" (7", 1983) * Toyah, "Rebel Run" (7", 1983) * Weapon Of Peace, ''Rainbow Rhythm'' (LP, 1983) * Wayne County & The Electric Chairs-"Fuck Off"/"Toilet Love" (7" Picture Disc 1983) * Juluka, "Scatterlings Of Africa" (7", 1983) * Kitty Grant, "Glad To Know You" (7"/12", 1983) * Toyah, "Rebel Run" (12", 1983) * Toyah, "The Vow" (7", 1983) * Kitty Grant, ''Glad To Know You'' (12", EP 1983) *

Alan Price Alan Price (born 19 April 1942) is an English musician. He was the original keyboardist for the British band the Animals before he left to form his own band the Alan Price Set. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a m ...

, "Clair De Lune" (7", 1984) * English Evenings, "Tear You Down" (7"/12", 1984) * Richard Hartley & Michael Reed Orchestra, "The Music Of Torvill & Dean" (7", 12", 1984) * English Evenings, "I Will Return" (7", 1985) * Jimmy Tarbuck, "Again" (7", 1985) * La Bouche, "Electric Voice Dance" (7", 1985) * Roger Glover And Guests, "Love Is All (Butterfly Ball)" (7", 1985) * The Mr. Men Musical: Little Miss Shy & Mr. Quiet - The Way You Are (7", 45 RPM Side 1 1985) * The Mr. Men Musical: Mr. Happy - Home For Christmas (7", 45 RPM Side 2 1985) * Party Time With Mr. Men (LP, 1985)Safari Records
at Discogs.

References

External links

Safari Records.
Home page. {{Authority control Record labels established in 1977 Record labels disestablished in 1985 British independent record labels Indie rock record labels

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See also

References

External links