Minit/Instant Album Discographies
Last update: November 22, 1998





The Minit Label was formed in 1959 in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Joe Banashak and Larry McKinley. Joe Banashak ran A-1 Record Distributors in New Orleans when he formed the label. The man responsible for most of the hits on Minit was Allen Toussaint, who wrote, played piano, arranged, and produced the music. The first artist recorded for the label was Matthew Jacobs, also known as "Boogie Jake," who had three of the first six singles for the label. Ernest Kador (Ernie K. Doe), Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, and Benny Spellman were also early artists for the label. The first hit for Minit was Allen Toussaint's production of Jessie Hill's "Ooh Poo Pah Doo, Part 2" which reached No. 28 in the summer of 1960. In 1961, Minit reached a distribution deal with Lew Chudd of Imperial Records. Shortly after the deal was formed, Minit had a No. 1 national hit with "Mother-In-Law" by Ernie K-Doe. At the end of 1961, the Showmen made a fine tribute to rock and roll with "It Will Stand," which only reached No. 61 on the national charts, but has been a standard of sorts ever since. The 1960-63 Minit label has long been known for the early work of some of the most talented and enduring performers on the New Orleans scene. When Allen Toussaint went into the Army in 1963, the hits stopped coming and the Minit Record Label was sold to Imperial.

The first Minit label was orange with black printing. "MINIT RECORDS" above the center hole, with the notation, "c/o Imperial Records Hollywood Calif.". This label was used on the records LP-0001 to LP-0004, when Imperial was only the distributor for Minit. When Liberty acquired the Imperial label, the numbering system changed, as well as the label design. The label became black with silver printing, with the MINIT logo in white and parallel to the center hole on the left side of the label. Below the MINIT logo was "A PRODUCT OF LIBERTY RECORDS". This label was used through 1968 and at least LP-24023. The third label was black with silver printing, the logo on the left side was "MINIT" in white but the "A PRODUCT OF LIBERTY RECORDS" was dropped and at the bottom of the record is "LIBERTY/UA. INC. LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA". This label was used until the label was discontinued.

We would appreciate any additions or corrections to this discography. Just send them to us via e-mail. Both Sides Now Publications is an information web page. We are not a catalog, nor can we provide the records listed below. We have no association with Minit Records, which is currently owned by EMI/Capitol Records Group. Should you want to contact EMI/Capitol, or should you be interested in acquiring albums listed in this discography (which are all out of print), we suggest you see our Frequently Asked Questions page and Follow the instructions found there. This story and discography are copyright 1997, 1998, 1999 by Mike Callahan.


MINIT ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY

Number - Title - Artist [Release Date] (Chart) Contents

LP-0001 - Home of the Blues - Various Artists [1961] Issued in mono only. Ooh Poo Pah Doo, Parts 1 & 2 - Jessie Hill/Over You - Aaron Neville/Every Day - Aaron Neville/Whip It On Me - Jessie Hill/I Need Your Love - Jessie Hill//Hello My Lover - Ernie K- Doe/Scoop Scoobie Doobie - Jessie Hill/It Won't Be Me - Lee Diamond/Tain't It The Truth - Ernie K-Doe/Highhead Blues - Jessie Hill/Please Don't Leave - Lee Diamond

LP-0002 - Mother-In-Law - Ernie K-Doe [1962] Originally issued in mono only. Later issued in electronic stereo as LP-24002. Mother-In-Law/Make You Love Me/Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta/Hurry Up And Know It/Tain't It The Truth/Rub Dub Dub//Hello My Lover/There's A Will There's A Way/Heebie Jeebies/Wanted $10,000 Reward/Waiting At The Station/She's Waiting

LP-0003 - We Sing The Blues - Various Artists [1963] Originally issued in mono only. I Like It Like That, Part 1 - Chris Kenner/It's Raining - Irma Thomas/The Power Of Love - Willie Harper/Let's Live - Aaron Neville/A Certain Girl - Ernie K-Doe/Fortune Teller - Benny Spellman//It Will Stand - Showmen/Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) - Benny Spellman/Green Door - Eskew Reeder/Over You - Aaron Neville/Ooh Pooh Pah Doo, Part 1 - Jessie Hill/Mother-In-Law - Ernie K-Doe

LP-0004 - Home Of The Blues Volume 2 - Various Artists [1963] Originally issued in mono only. Ruler Of My Heart - Irma Thomas/I Done Got Over It - Irma Thomas/Cry On - Irma Thomas/It's Raining - Irma Thomas/Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) - Benny Spellman/Fortune Teller - Benny Spellman//Mother-In-Law - Ernie K-Doe/Wanted $10,000 Reward - Ernie K-Doe/It Will Stand - Showmen/Country Fool - Showmen/Gone - Irma Thomas/I Did My Part - Irma Thomas

Number system changes due to purchase by Liberty. Stereo number in parentheses:

LP-40004 (LP-24004) - Home Of The Blues, Volume 2 - Various Artists [1964] Reissue of LP-0004. Ruler Of My Heart - Irma Thomas/I Done Got Over It - Irma Thomas/Cry On - Irma Thomas/It's Raining - Irma Thomas/Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) - Benny Spellman/Fortune Teller - Benny Spellman//Mother-In-Law - Ernie K-Doe/Wanted $10,000 Reward - Ernie K-Doe/It Will Stand - Showmen/Country Fool - Showmen/Gone - Irma Thomas/I Did My Part - Irma Thomas

LP-40005 (LP-24005) - Turning Point - Jimmy Holiday [1966] Stereo content not available. The Turning Point/Baby I Love You/In The Eyes Of My Girl/I Don't Want To Hear It/Everybody Needs Help/We Forgot About Love//I'm Gonna Move To The City/I've Got To Live While I Can/Give Me Your Love/Everything Is Love/Nobody's Fault But Your Own/We Got A Good Thing Goin'

LP-40006 (LP-24006) - He'll Be Back - Players [1966] Excellent album produced by ex-Vee Jay producer Calvin Carter. He'll Be Back (S)/Peace Of Mind (S)/When A Man Loves A Woman (S)/Since I Don't Have You (S)/I'm Glad I Waited (S)/I Wanna Be Free (S)//Sunny (S)/There's Got To Be A Way (S)/I Love You A Thousand Times (S)/Why Do I Love You (S)/Why Did I Lie (S)/Get Hep To Love (S)

LP-40007 (LP-24007) - Like It Is - Aaron Neville [1967] Another misleading title, as Liberty was wont to do. At the time this album was issued, Neville had just had a national #2 hit with "Tell It Like It Is" on the Par-Lo label. Of course, the material on this Minit LP had been recorded several years earlier and did not contain the hit. Nevertheless, despite the odious tactics, this is an outstanding album. Over You (E)/Get Out Of My Life (E)/I Found Another Love (E)/Don't Cry (E)/Sweet Little Mama (E)/I'm Waitin' At The Station (E)//How Many Times (E)/Let's Live (E)/Everyday (E)/Reality (E)/Wrong Number (I'm Sorry Goodbye) (E)/How Could I Help But Love You (E)

LP-40008 (LP-24008) - Soul Sounds - O'Jays [1967] Stereo content not available. Working On Your Case/Hold On/Lonely Drifter/No Time For You/A Blowing Wind/It Won't Hurt//Stand In For Love/How Does It Feel/Lipstick Traces/I'll Never Forget You/Oh How You Hurt Me/Crack Up Laughing

LP-40009 (LP-24009) - Best of Jimmy McCracklin - Jimmy McCracklin [1967] Let The Door Hit You (S)/This Thing (S)/My Answer (S)/Every Night Every Day (S)/Arkansas, Parts 1 & 2 (S)//Think (S)/These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (S)/Hookie (S)/I'll Come Running (S)/The Walk (S, rerecording of his earlier hit on Checker)/Just Got To Know (E)

LP-40010 (LP-24010) - Blues Power - Gene Dozier & Brotherhood [1967] Stereo content not available. A Hunk Of Funk/Soul Man/I Wanna Testify/Cold Sweat/Funky Broadway/How Sweet It Is//Soul Stroll/Mustang Sally/Watermelon Man/One For Bess/Hold On! I'm Comin'

LP-40011 (LP-24011) - Let's Get Together - Jimmy McCracklin [1967] Song titles and stereo content not available.

LP-40012 (LP-24012) - Flippin' - Flip Wilson [1967] (Perhaps a reissue of the 1961 album Imperial LP-9155). Stereo content not available. Includes routines: Talking Horse/The Country Minister And The Gorilla/Rover The Mean Dog/Monkey Mating Season/Change Of Luck/The Broken Arm/Job Hunting/The Bus Driver/Wild Game Hunting/The Tough Guy/others. Flippin, Part I//Flippin', Part II

LP-40013

LP-40014 (LP-24014) - Fly Me To The Moon - Bobby Womack [1968] Stereo content not available. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)/Baby! You Oughta Think It Over/I'm A Midnight Mover/What Is This/Somebody Special/Take Me//Moonlight In Vermont/Love The Time Is Now/I'm In Love/California Dreamin'/No Money In My Pocket/Lillie Mae

LP-40015

LP-40016 (LP-24016) - Sweet Soul Shakin'! - Young Hearts [1968] Song titles and stereo content not available.

LP-40017 (LP-24017) - Stinger Man - Jimmy McCracklin [1968] Song titles and stereo content not available.

LP-40018 (LP-24018) - In Person - Ike And Tina Turner & Ikettes [1968] Stereo content not available. Everyday People [Ikettes]/Gimme Some Loving/Sweet Soul Music/Son Of A Preacher Man/I Heard It Through The Grapevine/Respect//Medley: There Was A Time-African Boo's [Ikettes]/Funky Street/A Fool In Love [Ikettes]/Medley: The Summit-All I Could Do Was Cry-Please Please Please-Baby I Love You/Goodbye So Long

LP-40019 (LP-24019) - Lord Have Mercy - Isaac Douglas & Douglas Singers [1969] Stereo content not available. Lord Have Mercy/Coming Again So Soon/I've Got A New Born Soul/Let Him In Your Life//Silver And Gold/He Lives In Me/He's No Shorter Than His Word/The Wages Of Sin/Trust In Him

LP-40020 (LP-24020) - The King And I - Rev. Robert J. Lucas And His Christian Temple Choir [1969] Stereo content not available. Be A Witness/The King And I/I Love The Lord/Every Time I Think About Jesus//The World Can't Do Me No Harm/The Church Of God Is Marching On/Come Out Of The Wilderness/I Haven't Got Time To Tarry

LP-40021 (LP-24021) - The Soul Of Gospel - Robert Patterson Singers [1969] Stereo content not available. Didn't It Rain/A Pity And A Shame/Top Of The Mountain/Freedom/New Jerusalem/He's Got The Whole World In His Hand/People Get Ready/When The Saints Go Marching In/Joshua/Let's Come In The House

LP-40022 (LP-24022) - I've Been Talked About - Marion Gaines Singers [1969] Stereo content not available. I've Been Talked About/Twelve Gates To The City/Lord Hear My Plea/The Lord Is Getting Us Ready//How Long Will It Be/He Said He Would Lead Me/I Believe/Ain't That Good News/I'm Working For My Lord

LP-40023 (LP-24023) - Blue All The Way - Tina Britt [1968] Stereo content not available. Who Was That/God Bless The Child/When We Get On Cloud 9/Johnny I Love You/Hawg For You/My Lover's Prayer//Born On A Bayou/I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know/Sookie Sookie/Bright Lights Big City/Key To The Highway/You Ain't Nothing But In The Way

LP-40024 (LP-24024) - Blues Man - Little Junior Parker [1969] Stereo content not available. Worried Life Blues/Let The Good Times Roll/Every Night And Every Day/Drivin' Wheel/I Just Got To Know//Next Time You See Me/Get Away Blues/How Long Can This Go On/In The Dark/I Found A Good Thing

LP-40025 (LP-24025) - Let There Be Peace - Mighty Gospel Giants [1969] Stereo content not available. Lift Jesus/On These Grounds/Coming Through The Storm/Prayer/I'm On My Way/What Have I Done Wrong//Let There Be Peace/Wide River/I Can't Stop Serving The Lord/Didn't It Rain/If It's Your Will/We've Come This Far By Faith

LP-40026

LP-40027 (LP-24027) - My Prescription - Bobby Womack [1969] Stereo content not available. How I Miss You Baby/More Than I Can Stand/It's Gonna Rain/Everyone's Gone To The Moon/I Can't Take It Like A Man/I Left My Heart In San Francisco//Arkansas State Prison/I'm Gonna Forget About You/Don't Look Back/Tried And Convicted/Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)/Thank You

LP-40028 (LP-24028) - Soul Cowboy - Memphis Soul Band [1969] Stereo content not available. That's Me Boy/Testify (I Wanna Testify)/Sweet Cherry Wine/What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)/Good Morning Starshine/Oh Happy Day//Proud Mary/Mrs. Robinson/Soul Cowboy/Who's Making Love/Get Back/Midnight Cowboy


RELATED RECORDS:

EMI ST-17202 - It Will Stand: Minit Records 1960-1963 - Various Artists [1986] Mother-In-Law - Ernie K-Doe/It Will Stand - Showmen/How Could I Help But Love You - Aaron Neville/Ruler Of My Heart - Irma Thomas/Grumblin' Fussin' Nag Nag - Del Royals/Tiddle Winks - Allen & Allen/Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) - Benny Spellman//Ooh Pooh Pah Doo, Part 1 - Jessie Hill/Fortune Teller - Benny Spellman/Never Again - Eskew Reeder/True Love Never Dies - Allen Orange/It's Raining - Irma Thomas/I Cried My Last Tear - Ernie K-Doe/Over You - Aaron Neville

STATESIDE (EMI-UK) SSL-6002 - One Minit at a Time - Various Artists [1986] Well - Jimmie & Vella/A Lot Of Love - Homer Banks/Take Me - Bobby Womack/I'm Gonna Do All I Can - Ike And Tina Turner/The Girls From Texas - Jimmy Lewis/Working On Your Case - O'Jays/Party In The Woods - Persuasions/Funky Broadway - Gene Dozier & Brotherhood//Gonna Get That Boat, Part 1 - Johnny Lytle/I Wanna Be Free - Players/Give Me Your Love - Jimmy Holiday/I Know You Know I Know - Homer Banks/A Hunk Of Funk - Gene Dozier & Brotherhood/I Can't Stand The Pain - Dee Irwin/Shing A Ling - Clydie King

CHARLY (UK) CRB-1165 - The Showmen - Showmen [1987] It Will Stand/Country Fool/This Misery/The Wrong Girl/Fate Planned It This Way/For You My Darling/Valley Of Love/The Owl Sees You//Swish Fish/I'm Coming Home/Strange Girl/I Love You Can't You See/Let Her Feel It In Your Kiss/True Fine Mama/39-21-40 Shape/It Will Stand (alternate take)


INSTANT LABEL ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY:

Instant Records was formed in 1961 in New Orleans when Joe Banashak became unhappy with Minit/Imperial distribution deal. This label was distributed by Atlantic Records And got off to a great start with "I Like It Like That" by Chris Kenner which was a No. 2 hit. In 1963, Kenner had another hit with "Land Of 1000 Dances". After this, the label never had another national hit but did have some local New Orleans successes. Chris Kenner continued recording for Instant until 1969.

The Instant label, the lower half was white with black printing. The upper half was greenish yellow with "INSTANT" in white and "RECORDS" in black. The "I" in Instant is large, the white letter outlined in black with the drawing of a saxophone over it.

LP-71000 - All These Things - Various Artists [1969] Issued in mono only. All These Things - Art Neville/Lover Of Loves - Lee Dorsey/Something You Got - Chris Kenner/Pass The Hatchet - Roger & Gypsies/It Do Me Good - Pitter Pats/I've Done It Again - Aaron Neville//Young Man Old Man - Stokes/Land Of 1000 Dances - Chris Kenner/Lottie Mo - Lee Dorsey/New Kind Of Love - Willie Harper/I'm Gonna Put Some Hurt On You - Raymond Lewis/For Every Boy There's A Girl - Aaron Neville


Thanks to David Edwards, who did most of the research on this discography.


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