Argo Records
Argo Records was a record label in Chicago that was established in 1955 as a division of Chess Records.
Originally the label was called Marterry, but bandleader Ralph Marterie objected, and within a couple of months the imprint was renamed Argo.
Although Chess was a blues label, the Argo division began to record jazz in 1955 and over decades attracted some big names: Gene Ammons, Kenny Burrell, Barry Harris, Illinois Jacquet, Ahmad Jamal, Ramsey Lewis, James Moody, Max Roach, Red Rodney, and Ira Sullivan.
Argo also recorded pop, blues, and calypso. Its first big hit was by Clarence "Frogman" Henry, whose song "Ain't Got No Home" came out in 1956. By 1960, rhythm and blues performers on the label included Etta James and the Dells.
Argo changed its name in 1965 to Cadet Records when the company discovered that an Argo Records already existed in the UK. As with its parent label, the catalog is owned by Universal Music Group. Argo was one of several record labels to lose master recordings in the 2008 Universal fire.
Discography
Jazz Series (1956-1965)
Pop/Blues/Folk Series (1961-1965)
| Catalog number | Title | Artist |
| LP-4000 | The Eyes of Love | Osborne Smith |
| LP-4001 | Johnny Hamlin Quintet | Johnny Hamlin Quintet featuring Marci Miller |
| LP-4002 | Space Flight | Sam Lazar |
| LP-4003 | At Last! | Etta James |
| LP-4004 | Misty Night | King Fleming Trio |
| LP-4005 | The Three Souls | The Three Souls |
| LP-4006 | Morris Grants Presents JUNK | Various Artists |
| LP-4007 | Drum Sum | Buck Clarke Quintet |
| LP-4008 | Drums, Drollery And Drivel | Professor Paradiddle |
| LP-4009 | You Always Hurt the One You Love | Clarence Henry |
| LP-4010 | Brilliant! The Trumpet of Don Goldie | Don Goldie |
| LP-4011 | The Second Time Around | Etta James |
| LP-4012 | Dodo's Back! | Dodo Marmarosa |
| LP-4013 | Etta James | Etta James |
| LP-4014 | ||
| LP-4015 | Playback | Sam Lazar |
| LP-4016 | For the First Time | Shelley Moore |
| LP-4017 | Brown Gal | Bonnie Graham |
| LP-4018 | Etta James Sings for Lovers | Etta James |
| LP-4019 | Stand By! | King Fleming Trio |
| LP-4020 | House Warmin'! | Howard McGhee and the Blazers |
| LP-4021 | The Buck Clarke Sound | Buck Clarke |
| LP-4022 | Let Me In/Music, Music, Music | The Sensations |
| LP-4023 | The Campus Singers at the Fickle Pickle | The Campus Singers |
| LP-4024 | I'm on My Way | Willie Wright |
| LP-4025 | Etta James Top Ten | Etta James |
| LP-4026 | The Blues, Volume 1 | Various Artists |
| LP-4027 | The Blues, Volume 2 | Various Artists |
| LP-4028 | Cheer Up Me Lads | The Outsiders |
| LP-4029 | Martin Yarbrough Showcase | Martin Yarbrough |
| LP-4030 | Folk Swinger | Dean DeWolf |
| LP-4031 | Folk Festival of the Blues | Various Artists |
| LP-4032 | Etta James Rocks the House | Etta James |
| LP-4033 | Road of Blue | The Campus Singers |
| LP-4034 | The Blues, Volume 3 | Various Artists |
| LP-4035 | High Tide: The Folk Songs of Dean DeWolf | Dean DeWolf |
| LP-4036 | Dangerous Dan Express | The Three Souls |
| LP-4037 | The Soul of Blues Harmonica | Shakey Horton |
| LP-4038 | Composer's Choice | Johnny Nash |
| LP-4039 | Make Way for Jean DuShon | Jean DuShon |
| LP-4040 | The Queen of Soul | Etta James |
| LP-4041 | Dick Williams Kids Sing for Big People | Dick Williams |
| LP-4042 | The Blues, Volume 4 | Various Artists |
| LP-4043 | Mixed Moods | Martin Yarbrough |
| LP-4044 | Soul Sounds | The Three Souls |
| LP-4045 | The Real George Kirby | George Kirby |
| LP-4047 | Jammin' with the Windjammers | The Windjammers |