Mooncrest
Mooncrest Records is a British record label associated with UK folk-rock, singer-songwriters and selected pop releases.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Mooncrest Records is a British record label established in 1970 in connection with Tony Stratton-Smith and Charisma Records. It initially operated as a management company before beginning to issue records in 1973. Its first numbered single, Nazareth's "Broken Down Angel," was released as MOON 1 and reached the top ten of the UK singles chart in May 1973. Soon afterward, The Hotshots' version of "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron" became the label's highest-charting release, reaching number four in the United Kingdom. The label's early catalogue combined contemporary releases with reissues of earlier material. Among the reissued albums were Shirley Collins's No Roses, originally released in 1971, and Iain Matthews's Journeys from Gospel Oak, originally released in 1972. Mooncrest subsequently issued several Nazareth albums during the 1973–1975 period, reflecting its early interest in rock-oriented acts as well as folk-derived music. The label also released Shakin' Stevens's Jungle Rock in 1976 and, much later, Alan Hull's Back to Basics in 1994. Mooncrest was sold to Trojan Records in 1975. Trojan was later acquired by or transferred into the Sanctuary Group in 2001, placing Mooncrest within a changing sequence of British music-industry ownership. The imprint's activity has been intermittent rather than continuous, and its catalogue has extended beyond its initial period. Later associations included releases or catalogue handling connected with Fairport Convention and Michael Chapman. In 1989, Mooncrest issued a recording by Blessings in Disguise, a group featuring Noddy Holder and Dave Hill of Slade, whose release included a cover of "Crying in the Rain." The label's catalogue identity was reflected in its numbering conventions: albums used the word "Crest," while singles used the word "Moon" in their catalogue numbers. Although Mooncrest never developed into a consistently active mass-market label, it retained a recognizable place in the British independent and specialist-recording landscape. Its historical profile rests on a mixture of charting singles, folk-rock and singer-songwriter records, archival reissues, and periodic catalogue activity under successive owners.
History
Mooncrest Records was founded in Britain in 1970, initially as a management company run by Tony Stratton-Smith in association with Charisma Records. The imprint moved into record releases in 1973. Its first single, Nazareth's "Broken Down Angel," carried the catalogue number MOON 1 and reached the UK top ten in May of that year. The early success continued when The Hotshots' version of "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron" climbed to number four two months later, becoming Mooncrest's highest-charting single. The label's output included both new recordings and reissues. Its reissue programme drew on earlier folk and progressive material, including Shirley Collins's No Roses and Iain Matthews's Journeys from Gospel Oak. Mooncrest also released a series of Nazareth albums between 1973 and 1975. These activities placed the label between the British rock market and the country's folk-oriented specialist-recording scene. In 1975, Mooncrest was sold to Trojan Records. The change did not produce a permanently continuous release schedule; instead, the imprint developed an intermittent history. It issued Shakin' Stevens's Jungle Rock in 1976 and later released a recording by Blessings in Disguise in 1989. That group included Noddy Holder and Dave Hill of Slade, and its material included a version of "Crying in the Rain." In 1994, Mooncrest issued Alan Hull's Back to Basics, extending the label's activity into a later generation of singer-songwriter releases. Through Trojan Records, Mooncrest became connected with the Sanctuary Group in 2001. Later catalogue activity included handling or releases associated with Fairport Convention and Michael Chapman. The imprint's repertoire therefore spans chart singles, rock albums, British folk-rock, singer-songwriters and archival reissues rather than a single narrowly defined genre. Mooncrest also maintained a distinctive catalogue-numbering system. Albums used the word "Crest," while singles used "Moon." This convention helped distinguish the imprint's two principal release formats. With no evidence in the available reference material of a continuously operating modern label structure, Mooncrest is best understood as a historically significant but intermittently active British record imprint whose identity is tied to its 1970s catalogue and later specialist releases.
- 2001
Association with Sanctuary Group
[1]Mooncrest reaches Sanctuary Group through the label's connection with Trojan Records.
- 1994
Alan Hull release
[1]Mooncrest issues Alan Hull's Back to Basics.
- 1975
Sale to Trojan Records
[1]Mooncrest is sold to Trojan Records.
- 1973
The label begins issuing singles
[1]Mooncrest starts releasing singles, with Nazareth's "Broken Down Angel" as catalogue number MOON 1.
- 1973
First major chart successes
[1]Nazareth reaches the UK top ten and The Hotshots reach number four with "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron."
- 1970
Mooncrest is established
[1]Tony Stratton-Smith establishes Mooncrest as a management company associated with Charisma Records.
Products and positioning
A British specialist record imprint focused primarily on UK folk-rock, singer-songwriters and selected rock and pop releases, with an intermittent catalogue history.
Single · 1973
Broken Down Angel
Nazareth's "Broken Down Angel" was Mooncrest's first numbered single, released as MOON 1 in 1973. It reached the top ten of the UK singles chart in May 1973 and established the imprint as a commercially visible label at the beginning of its release history.
Single · 1973
Snoopy vs. the Red Baron
The Hotshots' version of "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron" became Mooncrest's most successful charting single. Released in 1973, it reached number four in the United Kingdom and represented the label's strongest recorded chart performance.
Album reissue
No Roses
Mooncrest reissued Shirley Collins's No Roses, an album originally released in 1971. The reissue formed part of the label's effort to maintain and circulate earlier British folk-oriented material alongside new releases.
Album reissue
Journeys from Gospel Oak
Iain Matthews's Journeys from Gospel Oak was among the earlier albums reissued by Mooncrest. Its inclusion reflects the imprint's interest in folk-derived and singer-songwriter repertoire.
Album · 1976
Jungle Rock
Jungle Rock is a 1976 Mooncrest release by Shakin' Stevens. It belongs to the label's post-1975 period under Trojan ownership and demonstrates the imprint's occasional movement into commercially oriented rock and pop releases.
Album · 1994
Back to Basics
Alan Hull's Back to Basics was issued by Mooncrest in 1994. The release illustrates the label's continued, though intermittent, role in presenting British singer-songwriter material after its initial 1970s period.
Single · 1989
Crying in the Rain
Mooncrest issued a 1989 recording by Blessings in Disguise that included a cover of "Crying in the Rain." The group featured Noddy Holder and Dave Hill of Slade, linking the imprint to established British rock performers.
Brand decisions
2001
Transfer through Trojan to Sanctuary GroupM&ABackground
Trojan Records became part of a broader corporate ownership structure in the British music business.
Action taken
Mooncrest passed through Trojan into association with the Sanctuary Group.
Aftermath
The imprint retained an intermittent catalogue presence, including activity involving Fairport Convention and Michael Chapman.
1975
Sale to Trojan RecordsM&ABackground
After its initial period of management and release activity, Mooncrest changed ownership in the British record industry.
Action taken
The label was sold to Trojan Records.
Aftermath
Mooncrest continued intermittently under the Trojan connection and later became associated with Sanctuary Group.
Recent events
- 2001
Trojan's ownership places Mooncrest within Sanctuary Group[1]
M&A
Through Trojan Records, Mooncrest became associated with the Sanctuary Group as ownership of the label changed again.
- 1989
Mooncrest releases Blessings in Disguise recording[1]
Product launch
The label issued a release by Blessings in Disguise, featuring Slade members Noddy Holder and Dave Hill, including a cover of "Crying in the Rain."
- 1975
Mooncrest is sold to Trojan Records[1]
M&A
Mooncrest changed ownership when it was sold to Trojan Records.
- 1973
Mooncrest begins releasing singles[1]
Product launch
After beginning as a management operation, Mooncrest entered record release activity with singles. Its first numbered release was Nazareth's "Broken Down Angel."
- 1973
Nazareth gives Mooncrest a top-ten debut[1]
Product launch
"Broken Down Angel," released as MOON 1, reached the top ten of the UK singles chart in May 1973.
- 1973
The Hotshots achieve Mooncrest's highest chart position[1]
Product launch
The Hotshots' recording of "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron" reached number four in the UK singles chart, becoming the label's biggest chart success.
Sources2 sources
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