Tomato Records: A 1970s Blues and Roots Music Label was a small but respected independent record label founded in the mid-1970s. Based in the United States, Tomato specialized in blues, folk, and roots music, focusing on both reissues of rare material and new recordings by veteran and contemporary artists. The label emerged during the ongoing blues revival and played a role in preserving and promoting traditional American music at a time when the genre faced commercial challenges.
Founding and History
Tomato Records was established in the mid-1970s by enthusiasts dedicated to blues and roots music. The label operated during a period of renewed interest in acoustic and traditional blues, capitalizing on the popularity of the folk-blues revival. Tomato aimed to fill gaps in the availability of classic recordings and to document living artists who carried on the tradition. The label’s activity was relatively short-lived but produced a meaningful catalog before ceasing operations. Its releases were distributed through specialist shops and mail order, targeting serious collectors and revival fans.
Ownership and Business Practices
The label was owned and run by dedicated individuals with a passion for preservation and promotion. Ownership details are not extensively documented in mainstream sources, but Tomato operated as a small independent with a focus on quality mastering from original sources and informative liner notes. The business model emphasized limited-edition pressings, attention to sound quality, and packaging that appealed to collectors. Tomato often licensed material from American sources and worked with living artists to produce new recordings, balancing reissues with fresh content.
Notable Artists and Recordings
Tomato Records’ catalog was centered on blues, with a mix of reissues of rare pre-war and post-war blues 78s and new recordings by veteran and contemporary artists. The label’s LPs were known for good mastering, informative liner notes, and thoughtful curation. Releases often featured Delta, Chicago, and other regional styles, balancing historical preservation with living traditions.
Reissues of Classic Blues Artists
Tomato excelled at bringing obscure or hard-to-find 78 rpm sides back into circulation. These reissues were selected for their historical importance and musical quality, often with detailed notes providing context and discographical information.
- Delta Blues Compilations: The label released collections showcasing the raw, acoustic sounds of the Mississippi Delta. These LPs featured artists like Charley Patton, Tommy Johnson, and Son House (or similar figures whose originals were scarce). Tracks typically highlighted slide guitar, heartfelt vocals, and themes of hardship and daily life. The compilations provided a broad overview of the region’s blues traditions and were popular among collectors.
- Chicago and Urban Blues Reissues: Tomato also compiled post-war electric blues sides, illustrating the evolution of the genre in Northern cities. These LPs featured artists who migrated from the South, with tracks that captured the amplified sound and urban themes of Chicago blues.
Veteran and Contemporary Blues Artists
In addition to reissues, Tomato recorded or supported living blues artists, helping to document the ongoing tradition in the 1970s.
- Veteran Performers: The label worked with older bluesmen who had recorded in earlier decades, producing new sessions that captured their mature styles. These recordings often featured acoustic or small-band formats, emphasizing authenticity and emotional depth. Examples include artists who continued the Piedmont or Delta traditions into the revival era.
- Regional Talent: Tomato released material by lesser-known but talented artists from various regions, adding depth to its catalog and supporting the broader blues community. These sides often reflected local styles and personal expressions, contributing to the diversity of the label’s output.
Artists and Recordings
- Ed Bell-style Country Blues Reissues: Tomato reissued material by artists with raw, expressive styles similar to Ed Bell, featuring haunting vocals and unique guitar work. These LPs included tracks that explored themes of trouble and travel, making them quintessential examples of country blues.
- Luther Huff and Post-War Mississippi Blues: Releases featuring Huff’s scarce sides offered a window into the continuation of country blues traditions after World War II. His material on Tomato demonstrated the persistence of regional styles in smaller Southern communities.
- Sonny Boy Johnson and Similar Artists: Tomato reissued tracks like “Desert Blues,” showcasing straightforward guitar playing and heartfelt singing. These sides highlighted the diversity of post-war blues outside major recording centers.
- Bluesboy Bill and Upbeat Blues: The label included lively numbers like “Come On Babe,” adding a more playful, dance-oriented approach to the catalog.
The recordings on Tomato were typically well-mastered LPs with thoughtful presentation, making them popular among European and American blues fans. The label’s output contributed to the preservation of blues history and the support of active performers.
Overall Significance of the Catalog
Tomato’s blues catalog was not about new commercial hits but about preservation and accessibility. By reissuing scarce sides and releasing new material, the label helped document the richness of early American blues and supported the 1970s revival. Its releases influenced collectors, musicians, and historians, ensuring that artists like Ed Bell, Luther Huff, Sonny Boy Johnson, and Bluesboy Bill were not forgotten. Today, Tomato LPs are prized for their quality and rarity, serving as important resources for understanding the breadth of pre-war and early post-war blues. Don Kent’s work with the label remains a model of dedicated, niche reissue efforts in blues history.
Legacy and Impact
Though small in scale, Tomato Records made a meaningful contribution to blues scholarship and appreciation in the 1970s. By reissuing rare material and releasing new recordings, the label helped document the richness of early American blues and supported the ongoing revival. Its releases influenced collectors, musicians, and historians, ensuring that both classic and contemporary voices were heard. Today, original Tomato LPs are prized for their quality and rarity, serving as important resources for understanding the breadth of pre-war and post-war blues. The label’s dedication to the music remains a testament to the power of specialist independents in preserving cultural heritage.
Suggested Listening
Buy from Amazon The Great Tomato Blues Package - Various Artists
Buy from Amazon The Tomato Years - Albert King
