Henry Stone Interview / History of TK Records NOW AVAILABLE

[Bernie]

Thank you again everyone! I had a lot of fun writing it.

Before, during and after I spoke with Henry Stone, I went through my collection and played music relating to this piece. Stone also sent me other material to listen to as well. The shear amount of music that Stone was involved in is truly amazing. Everything from late 1940s R & B to 70s Disco and even some Rap. How must it feel to live through all those changes and keep an open mind to fresh ideas and sounds??? One can only come away with a deep respect for the man.

Okay, so I wasn't thrilled that he was a part of Hot Productions :-(

[sammyperez]

Bernie:

Fantastic interview; Not only was it informative, but it brought back many memories. Thanks for acknowledging a great contributor to this genre we love called Disco. I have my share of TK 12" singles in collection. I think it's time for a Sunshine sound listening session. :D

Easy,

Sam "ALL JAM"

[Marcio**]

Bernie, very interesting, Ray Caviano worked at TK Records but he founded the RFC Records. Ray Caviano was just involved in the Gino Soccio's album "Outline" ("Dancer").

I have only a few records from TK Records but my favourit TK disco song is Gregg Diamond's "Danger".

[Bernie]

Thank you again guys.
Sammy, I'm sure you can sneak some Sunshine Sound into your Friday night sets. Turn it up real loud!

[SandraDee]

I also really enjoyed that interview & didn't realise so many acts recorded for TK or its subsidiaries at some point, such as the Stylistics for example. Bernie or Nicky, can I just ask if u know whether there is a volume 2 of 'Henry Stone presents TK 45 Collection' as I really loved volume 1 & there is certainly enough material for several volumes!

[Bernie]

Steely,

Thanks again. Unfortunately, there is no volume 2. I love volume 1 so I eagerly await #2 even though it's long overdue.

[jazz_pilgrim]

Hey Bernie,

Thanks for putting out the interview - it was really good. I have never had any idea who was behind TK Records, and found the interview really interesting. Nuggets like Tito Puente's son being part of Foxy!

They have always been my favourite Disco label, ever since I bought my first 12-inch ever, which happened to be a TK Disco 12-inch (TKD 67 - look it up!!), and I have been in love with that tropical island on the TK covers ever since! Can't wait to move in!

I didn't realize that Sunshine Sound were part of that set up. All the Jazz Pilgrims went out and bought the Modern Sound Corp 12", as Safari (part 2) was a massive club record for us.

And I have forgotten all about Jimmy mcGriff's Tailgunner! That was one of the Jazz Pilgrim's real jazz favourites! And I used to remember that the often-mentioned British DJ celebrity Greg Edwards used to plug that record a hell of a lot.

And another memory for you - At the massive Best Disco In Town in London in the late Seventies (hosted by Greg Edwards), I think that Joe Thomas' Make Your Move was about the biggest record there. When it came to the stripped down break in the record, everybody used to stamp their feet to that beat. The whole place would shake!!

I could go on for ages ...The list of classics just seems endless, doesn't it? All blessed with that Sunshine Sound. Tell you what I'm gonna do, Bernie! I am gonna dig out all my TK records and compile a TK minidisc. Just right for lying on the beach!

Cheers! :)

[in-the-groove]

Hey Bernie - I see in the 12" discography that TKD 3 is supposed to be "That's The Way (I Like It)" by KC & the Sunshine Band. I never have heard of this being pressed on an original TK 12" before... can you give us any more info on this pressing? Did Henry Stone provide you the discography info and does it really exist?

Kevin

[BrunoRepublic]

Very nice interview, Bernie. I too had no idea that the man had been around so long.

Just a couple of cheap bits to add:

- I believe the change in the numbering system coincided with the switch from cutting the 12s at 45 RPM to 33.

- I think this was also the point at which they stopped putting all 12s on TK. Tempest Trio's "Love Machine" was on Marlin, which I immediately grabbed because of the label (I think it was #406, but I don't have it anymore -- I gave it to another board member after I found the LP). And of course Jimmy "Bo" Horne's later singles were on Sunshine Sound...

- When did the whole operation wind down? I thought TK folded in 1980 or 81, but I found KC's "Space Cadet" album from 1982 and it's on TK...

[efunk_adelic]

Bernie, absolutely a fantastic interview you did with Henry... I'm sure it was a whole lot of fun.

One of my first 12" I ever bought was probably... Get Off by Foxy... and it's still my favorite one. The biggest reason I liked it was the unusual instrumental taken out at the very end. I wonder if anybody noticed that... But I dig that part... and always will.. Also, all the 12" are cut at 45rpm... I thought this was cool, it made me want to buy more 12".... At Midnight by T-Connection is also unique... by seperating the segments between the breaks on the song... I wondered who at TK thought of that?