TAIWAN UNOFFICIAL LABEL (BUT WITH ORIGINAL MASTER MATRIX )
History.
The history of Taiwanese labels actually carries the entire music scene from the mid-60s to the 70s, to the 80s, ... maybe only old local fans could confidently remember all those labels.
But one fact, let's say a turning point, was that in the mid-1970s (1975-1977)large Western record companies, such as Decca and Warner, came to Taiwan and began printing many record products for the Far East, opening so the local market to the new influences of western music.
They were so successful, so much so that in the early 80s they were joined by other recording multinationals, such as EMI, Columbia, and PolyGram, eager to exploit such a virgin market. The new situation has radically changed the Chinese record market.
In fact, before the arrival of the most famous Western companies, it was legal in Taiwan to print records with its own label, which happened several times with Western or American artists, in full compliance with the local laws in force until then.
This was the main reason why a myriad of labels flourished in Taiwan from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, with so many unique names, even though most of these labels remained alive for a short period and so much that it is hardly remembered.
At the end of the 1980s, therefore, the phenomenon of local labels almost completely disappeared, giving way to the more classic Western or American labels, already present on the Japanese market for some years.
Even though most of these labels have been around for a short time and long enough to be hardly remembered.
At the end of the 1980s, therefore, the phenomenon of local labels almost completely disappeared, giving way to the more classic Western or American labels, already present on the Japanese market for some years.
In our case, as expert LP collectors, considering all musical genres (... not just Floyd, therefore ...), the Taiwan record market has crossed famous local labels, little known to the Western world. ... but completely legal, such as Giant, Union, Li Ming, Holy Hawk, Pop, Jen Sheng (later became the New Hen Sheng, due to the loss of some rights), Sun Suei, Tshaunyang, Umbra, Haishan, Hoover, Kong Mei, Nova, Dragon, Yung Feng, Ja Ja, Bell, Pioneer (which has nothing to do with the American Pioneer), Kuo-Pin (famous for his instrumental music releases), (New) Jen Sheng, Dragon, Star Records, Kong Mei, Haishan, Leico, Shock, Tailee, Yung Feng, Tshaunyang, Sun Suei, Hoover, Ya-Yin, First, Bell, Eny, Holy Hawk, Large World, First Class, Pop,. .. and many others. Having a total knowledge of all these labels is really difficult, many were born, lived and disappeared in a short time, even in just 5-6 months.
However, we have tried to help collectors by analyzing the most famous labels, almost all linked to Pink Floyd and therefore known to most vinyl collectors, knowing that we are certainly helping to better understand the world of vinyl.
The matrices.
A curious fact typical of some Chinese labels was that some Taiwanese records were derived from a Japanese American, or even English master (both for Pink Floyd, but also for the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones).
In some cases, the matrix numbers were the same as the foreign ones mentioned, in others, there was the original foreign number printed ("printed") as the corresponding disk, on which a local ("engraved") number was written, with the Chinese number.
The thing is quite strange, and the hypothesis that comes to mind in these cases is that the discs could have been printed in Japan or in the USA by the foreign master, and then transferred to Taiwan for assembly with the cover, which at because of its characteristics they were probably printed on-site.
However, the sources are lacking and, for now, we cannot know if this hypothesis is valid.
Dates.
Another particular detail emerges from the Taiwanese labels, linked to the dates shown on the labels. As few know, the Chinese year is not the same as the European year.
Therefore, the Chinese labels have almost all the dates imprinted according to the local official dating: thus, houses like the Giant or the Union or the Kong Mei Company have the Chinese dates imprinted, according to a local scheme.
In particular, the date is reported as two numbers, the first of which represents the Chinese year, the second the month. To get the exact date, just add "1911" to the year number and get the date in European format (A.D.)
An example: "66 2" -> 1977/02; "65 5" -> 1976/05; "64 9" -> 1975/09;
At the beginning of the 1980s, this numbering of dates changed and we moved to dates in European format.
Another particular aspect of dates in Taiwan editions was the absence of dates on certain Giant and Union editions.
According to local sources, the Giant and Union editions were initially all dated at the bottom of the label, according to Chinese dating; only after 1978, at least for Union, where they printed without the date on the label (the last to do so with the date was Bob Dylan's "Street Legal" record, which bore the date of July 1978, printed shortly after even without date).
A warm thanks go to my friend Ed, who has made a huge contribution to research with his knowledge of the Taiwanese market.
Translated from the Italian site dedicated to Pink Floyd's Chinese & Taiwanese labels discography.
Source:
Copyrights & Credits.
History and research by W.J.L. and Stefano Tarquini (December 2006). Additions on covers and inserts by Paolo Carrozza (December 2020).
The labels are partly from their respective private collections, partly kindly provided by other Asian collectors.
ASIAN DISCOGRAPHY
TAIWAN LABELS
These Records Are Taken From The Original Japan, USA And UK Master
Label From Taiwan.
The Label Catered, Among Others, To US soldiers Stationed In Taiwan In The '60s and '70s.
Covers Were Often Photocopied From Japanese Or US Issues With Altered Colors.
Many Releases Are On Colored Vinyl.
Later Pressed On Black Vinyl.
Source Discogs.
Taiwanese London & Decca Records
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