Supreme Records (Los Angeles)

Supreme Records was a small, independent record label based in Los Angeles that existed from 1947 to 1950. It was founded by dentist Albert Patrick and specialized in rhythm and blues. Its artists included Jimmy Witherspoon, Paula Watson, Buddy Tate, Eddie Williams and his Brown Buddies, Big Jim Wynn, and Percy Mayfield.

Hits

Supreme's two greatest hits were Paula Watson's "A Little Bird Told Me", which sold over a million copies, and Jimmy Witherspoon's version of "Ain't Nobody's Business", recorded on Albert Patrick's request, which lasted 34 weeks on Billboard's Rhythm & Blues hit list.

Lawsuits

Supreme got involved in a costly lawsuit against Decca for copyright infringement on the arrangement of Paula Watson's version of "A Little Bird Told Me", with their version by Evelyn Knight. The judge ruled in favor of Decca, stating that arrangements on an existing composition cannot be considered as property. He also stated that the arrangement on Watson's version lacked originality and the differences between the versions were evident.
In another lawsuit, Supreme lost its pressing and distribution partner Black & White Records, after settling a dispute over Black & White selling it's pressing line to Monogram in Canada.

Closing

Due to the financial duress from the lawsuits, Supreme shut down in 1950. Most of the masters were sold to Swing Time Records. "Two Years of Torture" b/w "Half Awoke", recorded by Percy Mayfield was also re-released by John Dolphin's label, Recorded In Hollywood.

All known recordings for the Supreme label

AP101 Bobby Pittman- Don't Mention Love To Me // Deep In A Dream
AP102 Bobby Pittman- I Had To Give You Up // If I Had You
AP103 Vic Dickenson & His Sextet- St. Louis Blues // You Made Me Love You
AP104 Vic Dickenson & His Sextet- You Are Driving Me Crazy // O'Hara's Here
AP105 Louis Speiginer's Orchestra- Wandering Gal Blues // Hey Mr. Landlord
AP106 Louis Speiginer's Orchestra- Cain River Blues // How I Hate To See Xmas Come Around
AP108 Jay McShann's Orchestra- Bullie Woogie // Money Getting Cheaper
AP114 Dusty Brooks & His Four Tones- Don't Say Cupid Was Foolin' // Motel Time
AP115 Dusty Brooks & His Four Tones- That Jive's Got To Go // Dedicated To You
AP122 Buddy Tate Orchestra- Why Do The Mission Bells Ring // My Big Thrill
AP132 Vic Dickenson & His Sextet- Run And Hide // Vic's Boogie

1500 Jimmy Witherspoon- Cain River Blues // Wandering Gal Blues
1501 Jimmy Witherspoon- Money Getting Cheaper // Jay McShann Orchestra with Louis Speiginer- Louie's Guitar Boogie
1502 Buddy Tate Orchestra- Tate's A-Jumpin' // Fairweather Friend Blues
1503 Eddie Fullylove- Why Do The Mission Bells Ring // My Big Thrill
1504 Buddy Tate Orchestra- Blowin' For Snake // Good Morning Judge
1505 Jimmy Witherspoon- Frogomore Blues // Wee Baby Blues
1506 Jimmy Witherspoon- Ain't Nobody's Business // Ain't Nobody's Business
1507 Paula Watson- Stick By Me Baby // A Little Bird Told Me
1508 Jimmy Witherspoon- How I Hate To See Xmas Come Around // Hey Mr. Landlord
1509 Big Jim Wynn & His Orchestra- Blow Wynn Blow // J.W. Bop
1510 Paula Watson- Stick By Me Baby // Paula's Nightmare
1511 The Stars of Harmony - Rough And Rocky Road // Stand By Me
1512 Paula Watson- You Broke Your Promise // I've Got The Sweetest Ma
1513 Dick Peirce Orchestra- An Old Piano Plays The Blues // Peirce Arrow
1514 Buddy Tate Orchestra- Dear Mary // Swingin' Away With Willie And Ray
1515 Terry Lee with Supreme Studio Orchestra- After My Laughter Came Tears // I'm Crazy 'Bout That Guy
1516 The Sensations- Don't Call Me Sweetheart // I'll Never Fall In Love Again
1517 Billy O'Connor & His Quintet- If She Can Cook Like She Can Love // I'll Never Let You Go
1518 Paula Watson- Of All Things // Hidin' In The Sticks
1519 Terry Lee with Supreme Studio Orchestra- Just You And Me // Morning Glow
1520 Jimmy Witherspoon- Back Water Blues // Third Floor Blues
1521 The Stars of Harmony - My Time's Done Come // Today
1522 Big Jim Wynn & His Band- Goofin' Off // Farewell Baby
1523 Red Saunders Band- Synthesis // Trust In Me
1524 Vic Dickenson & His Sextet- Vic's Boogie // The Key To My Heart
1525 Dusty Brooks with Bobby Pittman- Please Don't Tell Me We're Through // Dusty Brooks & His Four Tones- That Jive's Got To Go
1526 Dick Peirce Orchestra- Immediately If Not Sooner // My Lover
1527 Earl Jackson Orchestra with Johnny Otis- If I Had One // Take Out The Squeal
1528 Eddie Williams & His Brown Buddies with Floyd Dixon- Houston Jump // Blues In Cuba
1530 C.L. Burke & His Singing Rangers- Promised Land // Travelin'
1531 George Floyd with Fletcher Henderson Orchestra- Again // Close Your Eyes
1532 Earl Jackson Orchestra with Johnny Otis- So Help Me // Woman Don't Want A Good Man No More
1533 Jimmy Witherspoon- In The Evening // Six-Foot-Two Blues
1534 George Floyd with Fletcher Henderson Orchestra- This Is Everything I Prayed For // Ain't I Losing You
1535 Eddie Williams & His Brown Buddies with Floyd Dixon- Red Head 'N Cadillac // Broken Hearted Blues
1536 Bruce Hudson Orchestra- When You Are Near // A Dream From Me To You
1537 Earl Jackson Orchestra with Johnny Otis- Talking To Myself // Kansas City Jumps
1538 Dick Peirce Orchestra- Annie's Cousin Fanny // Summer Song
1540 Jay McShann Orchestra- McShann Bounce // McShann Bounce
1542 Eddie Williams & His Brown Buddies with Floyd Dixon- Saturday Night Fish Fry // Mississippi
1543 Percy Mayfield with Monroe Tucker Orchestra- Two Years Of Torture // Half Awoke
1544 Maxwell Davis and Marshal Royal- Don't Worry 'Bout Me // Little White Lies
1545 Jimmy Witherspoon- How Long // Skid Row Blues
1546 Eddie Williams & His Brown Buddies with Floyd Dixon- You Need Me Now // Prairie Dog Hole
1547 Eddie Williams & His Brown Buddies with Floyd Dixon- Worries // I Saw Stars
1548 Eddie Williams & His Brown Buddies with Floyd Dixon- The Umbrella Song // Johnny Katherine
1549 Percy Mayfield with Monroe Tucker Orchestra- How Wrong Can I Be // Leary Blues