V-Tone/Len/Palm/Salvador International Album DiscographyV-Tone had three chart records. "The Hunch" by the Bobby Peterson Quintet [V-Tone 205] made #71 in late 1959. A later single by Peterson, "Irresistable You" [V-Tone 214], made #96 about a year later on the pop charts but reached #15 on the R&B side. "Little" Bobby Parker, a blues guitarist who had been in the Charms and played in Bo Diddley's band, charted in the summer, 1961, with "Watch Your Step" [V- Tone 223]. Other artists having records on the labels included Big Al Downing, the Parliaments, Clyde Stacy, and others.
V-Tone/Len/Palm did not issue albums, at least on their own label. About 1963, a collection of songs taken from the V-Tone/Len catalog was issued under the Salvador International Records label, a one- shot label apparently started solely for the purpose of the reissue of V-Tone/Len masters. Salvador International was located at 1318 S. Howard Street in Philadelphia. It is hard to avoid speculating that Buddy Caldwell had something to do with this label.
One of the interesting sides included on the Salvador album is "There Is Something on Your Mind" by Jolly Jax, originally issued as a two-part single on V-Tone 233. The song is a familiar one, done earlier by Big Jay McNeely and Bobby Marchan, and later by King Curtis, all of whom charted with it. The Jolly Jax version never charted, although it wasn't a bad version, except for one glaring detail. The spoken passage in Part 2, obviously meant as a joke, was, even by the standards of 1960, clearly over the line, describing in graphic detail someone murdering his girlfriend. The spoken part begins: "Mayhap you discover, that you have a contemptible girl, who is egotistical, antidisestablished and ridiculous, and refuses to abide by the laws of your abode. Go down to the pawn shop, steal a gun, a switchblade knife, and the little baby brother, the razor blade. Come back and introduce her to United States steel company...." From there, we'll leave it to your imagination.
Later, Relic Records would reissue a couple of collections drawn from the V-Tone and Len masters, but the Jolly Jax side was not among those included. Although clearly at the time meant as a joke, it is even less funny in today's more violent world.
The Salvador label was light blue with black print.
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 V-Tone, Len, Salvador, or Relic Records. Should you be interested in acquiring vinyl 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 2006 by Mike Callahan.
