I just now responded to a post on Facebook about the Cocteau Records album 'Signature Tunes' which compiled some of the tracks by other artists I had produced or had signed to my Cocteau label. (Most of you will be able to list these I guess.)
Anyway, I thought my reply to the post may be of interest to aficionados here in Dreamsville so I'm copying my response below....
"That was an interesting period. I started the label with altruistic motives, trying to set up an independent label that could showcase bands and artists that I felt had an original and interesting outlook, but might not otherwise get heard. I was soon dealing with a deluge of demo cassettes, most of which were ok, some not so, and some really very good. But, I didn't realise how time consuming acting as A+R man to my own label would be. It's sad but in the end I just couldn't give enough time over for the music making of others. It impacted on my own productivity to a greater degree than I expected. Nevertheless, I managed to help launch the careers of a handful of artists, 'A Flock Of Seagulls' being perhaps the most commercially successful, (though I never saw a penny from any of that.) And 'Man Jumping' were one of my proudest signings. A wonderful group of musicians blessed with fabulous ideas."
I'm pretty sure that one of those demo cassettes came from my band, the name of which I will not divulge just in case Bill listened to it and was so appalled that he marked us down to be avoided. We were pretty awful. My apologies, Bill, for having darkened your mailbox.
Speaking of Cocteau Records, look at someone's riff on the cover for Pavilions of the Heart and Soul: https://vitebsk1920.bandcamp.com/album/centenary
Man Jumping were/are totally wonderful. Nice to see 'Jump Cuts' get re-issued.
A Flock was so successful. Very catchy material. Loved Man Jumping and still do. ‘Signature Tunes’ is an entertaining and interesting listening experience. I remember when John Foxx started Metamatic Records, it was very much with the same intentions as Cocteau Records. Unlike Cocteau Records though, I think JF gave up very quickly on the notion of ever releasing anyone else’s music other than his own. The Smile label and logo I always like. It makes me feel happy and I hope to see resurrected, perhaps for the collection of your banjolele and ukulele songs? ☺️
A fine legacy Bill. I love that "A Flock of Seagulls" have posted on Youtube how "I Ran" should be played!