Junk Box Jury

Taken from the LP ‘Supersonic’ | (Stallion Records SSM001) 1975

Supersonic was a London Weekend Television pop music show which featured popular artists of the day. It was launched in 1975 and ran for two years.

The show typically lasted 30 minutes and was initially broadcast on Thursday afternoons then moved to a Saturday afternoon slot in 1976.

The programme was devised and created by David Deyong and presented by film and music producer Mike Mansfield. The main theme was composed and sung by ex Herd member Andy Bown.

This album is an unexpected junk shop bonus. Not only is there an abundance of obscure Glam rockers, there’s also pop from industry heavyweights the Hollies, the Shadows and Cliff Richard.

It’s almost impossible to pick a highlight from this set because the standard is very high. But I’m going for the number “Brother” by the strangely named Matayo.

Matayo was an alias for Barry Ryan who had the big hit “Eloise” in 1968. “Brother” is the B-side of “I Like Rock ‘n’ Roll”, a one-off single on RAK in 1975.

Matayo | “Brother” | (Stallion Records)

I only paid a quid for this, a record in remarkably good condition. There’s a scribbled name (Michael Knight) on the back cover and it appears that young Michael took great care of his disc before it tragically ended up on death row inside a charity shop.

The front of the cover has a sticker promoting a FREE competition inside. The insert has long since gone. Perhaps young Michael entered the competition?

Fortunately I was able to track down a copy of the competition insert online and have added all of the relevant details here.

Competition

Like to win a holiday in Corfu? or £100 worth of clothes? – They’re two of the super prizes in this FREE ‘Supersonic‘ easy to enter ‘plan your own radio show’ contest.

Here’s what you have to do. Just imagine you’re a disc-jockey with your own radio show, then use your skill to arrange the 20 artists / titles on this album in the playing order that you think would make the best balanced radio show.

So, if you think it would be best to play the Sweet “Action” first on your show, put “1” in the box alongside “Sweet/Action” and so on through the list.

When you’ve made your selection complete the phrase I LIKE POP MUSIC BECAUSE . . . . . in not more than twelve words.

Then fill in your name (IN BLOCK CAPITOLS) and post your entry to Supersonic Distributers Ltd. 505-509 Uxbridge Road, Hayes, Middlesex. TO ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 31st JANUARY, 1976.

Prizes

The prizes will be awarded to the entrants who have chosen what the judges regard to be the best playing order for the twenty tracks and who have most aptly completed the I LIKE POP MUSIC BECAUSE phrase. The prize winners will be announced in Melody Maker.

THESE ARE THE PRIZES THAT MUST BE WON IN THIS SUPER SUPERSONIC CONTEST!

FIRST PRIZE: One week’s holiday in Corfu for 4 people, with Olympic Holidays.
SECOND PRIZE: £100 worth of clothes from C&A.
FIVE THIRD PRIZES of Philips record players, each with 5 LPs.
TWENTY-FIVE RUNNERS UP PRIZES of the latest Bay City Rollers LP.

Any questions and feedback about the material posted on my website let me know by using the contact form provided.

cost of record: £1
from: charity shop