Rhythm on the Radio: Oval Records Singles 74-87 (CD)

2016 collection. The late Charlie Gillett and his friend and neighbor Gordon Nelki created Oval as a record label, production company and publishing house in 1972, although it did not release a record until 1975. It was initially intended as a home for reissues of Charlie's favorite Louisiana rock 'n' roll and swamp pop. They released the Another Saturday Night album and diversified into reggae singles - another of Charlie's passions. But success eluded them and they decided to leave the reissue business to labels such as Ace, as they began to release contemporary acts including artists who had sent demos both to the Clapham office and to Charlie at his radio show. This compilation is a broad cross-section of the music that Oval released - some great music that didn't leave a ripple on the chart pond, plus a few songs that were truly successful such as Lene Lovich's 'Lucky Number' (licensed to Stiff Records for release) and Jack 'n' Chill's house anthem 'The Jack That House Built', that reached #6. Fully annotated and illustrated, with a history of the label and track-by-track descriptions.