United Records
United Records was an American record label based in Chicago , Illinois in the 1950s .
The independent record company United Records existed from July 1951 to December 1957 and was led by the Chicago businessman Leonard Allen in collaboration with Lew Simpkins. During this time, the label made recordings by artists such as Tab Smith , Jimmy Forrest ("Night Train"), Gene Ammons , Memphis Slim , Roosevelt Sykes , Robert Nighthawk , Tiny Grimes and His Rocking Highlanders, Leo Parker ("Cool Leo") , Paul Bascomb and the vocal ensembles The Four Blazes , The Moroccos and The Staple Singers . First publication was under the number U-101 "Fine and Brown" / "Lucky Blues" by Roosevelt Sykes and his Honey Drippers.
In May 1952, the sister label States Records was added. A total of 116 singles were released on United, plus two 10-inch LPs, but no more 12-inch LPs. United had the greatest success with the recordings of Tab Smith, of which a total of 85 tracks were recorded and 24 singles were released, as well as the label's first LP.
After the end of the company, Savoy Records took over the master tapes with recordings of Gene Ammons and the Staple Singers. The remaining material of the United recordings was purchased by Bob Koester , who released it as a re-release on Delmark Records in LP and CD form.