Rev-Ola Records

Rev-Ola Records is a British independent record label established in 1990 and associated with the Creation Records circle. Its principal activity has been the rediscovery, compilation, remastering, and reissue of older or uncommon recordings, although the label has also issued selected new material. The imprint grew out of the enthusiasm among Creation personnel for locating obscure, unusual, and historically interesting records that had been overlooked by larger catalog owners. The label was initially connected with Creation Songs, the publishing arm of Creation Records. In that early form, Rev-Ola handled a broad range of archival and specialty material. Its releases included first-time reissues by artists such as Fred Neil and Yma Sumac, alongside spoken-word recordings involving William Shatner and Ivor Cutler. This repertoire gave the label an identity distinct from a conventional contemporary pop imprint: it operated as a curatorial platform for unusual catalog material, cult artists, forgotten recordings, and works that could benefit from renewed critical or collector attention. Rev-Ola was headed by Joe Foster, a former child actor, musician, and producer. Foster was also connected to the formation of Creation Records and the band Biff Bang Pow!, alongside Alan McGee and Dick Green. His involvement helped link Rev-Ola's catalog philosophy to the broader Creation culture, which combined independent music entrepreneurship with strong interest in distinctive artists and overlooked recordings. Other figures associated with the label included art director and songwriter Andy Morten and mastering engineer Norman Blake, known for his work with Teenage Fanclub. Creation Records ceased operations in 1999. Following that closure, Rev-Ola continued as an imprint of PoppyDisc, a Glasgow-based label founded by Joe Foster and Paul Cardow. This transition preserved Rev-Ola's role as a specialist reissue and catalog label rather than ending the imprint with the dissolution of its original parent organization. Its business model has centered on the value of curation, historical context, restoration, and packaging rather than on mass-market releases or a large roster of current recording artists. Because available reference material provides limited information about current ownership, release activity, distribution arrangements, and operational headquarters, Rev-Ola's present status cannot be stated with certainty. Its documented significance lies in the independent-label tradition of bringing rare and neglected recordings back into circulation, especially material with appeal to collectors, enthusiasts, and listeners interested in the wider history of popular music.

Rev-Ola Records emerged in 1990 from the independent music environment surrounding Creation Records. Its founding was driven by a shared interest among Creation personnel in locating old, rare, strange, or otherwise neglected records and making them available to new audiences. Rather than functioning primarily as a label for contemporary chart releases, Rev-Ola developed around the preservation and presentation of music history. The imprint was originally established as a subsidiary of Creation Songs, the publishing arm associated with Creation Records. This structure gave it a platform for catalog-oriented work while allowing it to pursue material outside the normal priorities of a mainstream label. Rev-Ola's early output included spoken-word recordings by William Shatner and Ivor Cutler, as well as initial reissues of recordings by artists including Fred Neil and Yma Sumac. The range of this material reflected the label's willingness to handle eccentric, difficult-to-classify, or cult-oriented repertoire. Joe Foster was the central figure in the label's development. A former child actor, musician, and producer, Foster had also been involved with Alan McGee and Dick Green in forming Creation Records and the group Biff Bang Pow! His background connected Rev-Ola with an independent-label network that valued strong artistic identities and unconventional catalog choices. The label's presentation and technical work were supported by people such as art director and songwriter Andy Morten and mastering engineer Norman Blake, who was associated with Teenage Fanclub. Creation Records closed in 1999. Rev-Ola did not simply disappear with the end of Creation; instead, it became an imprint of PoppyDisc, a Glasgow-based label established by Foster with Paul Cardow. This change placed Rev-Ola within a new independent-label structure while retaining its established emphasis on reissues and selected specialty releases. The transition also illustrates the continuity of specialist catalog work across changing corporate or label arrangements. Rev-Ola's historical role is therefore best understood as that of a curatorial reissue imprint. Its contribution has involved identifying recordings that might otherwise remain unavailable, restoring or remastering them where appropriate, and presenting them in forms suited to collectors and historically minded listeners. Available references do not provide a complete release chronology, current roster, distribution history, or verified contemporary operating status. Consequently, the label's documented history is stronger for its origins, affiliations, and catalog philosophy than for its recent commercial activity.

• 1999

  Creation Records closes

  [1]Rev-Ola Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Creation Records ceases operations, ending Rev-Ola's original institutional context.

• 1999

  Rev-Ola becomes a PoppyDisc imprint

  [1]Rev-Ola Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Following Creation's closure, Rev-Ola continues under PoppyDisc, the Glasgow-based label founded by Joe Foster and Paul Cardow.

• 1990

  Rev-Ola Records is formed

  [1]Rev-Ola Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Rev-Ola Records is established as an independent label associated with the Creation Records network, with a focus on rare recordings, reissues, and unusual catalog material.

• 1990

  Early Creation Songs affiliation

  [1]Rev-Ola Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The imprint operates initially as a subsidiary of Creation Songs, the publishing arm connected with Creation Records.

A specialist independent label focused on rare, overlooked, unusual, and historically significant recordings, with an emphasis on catalog reissues and collector-oriented curation.

• Reissue albums · 1990

  Archival reissues

  Rev-Ola's core output consists of reissues that return older, rare, or previously difficult-to-find recordings to circulation. These releases reflect the label's archival and collector-oriented identity and may involve restoration, remastering, and new packaging or contextual presentation.

• Artist reissues and compilations · 1990

  Specialty artist catalog releases

  The label has issued first-time or specialty reissues connected with artists such as Fred Neil and Yma Sumac. These releases extend beyond conventional mainstream catalog priorities and are aimed at listeners interested in overlooked, cult, or historically distinctive performers.

• Spoken-word audio · 1990

  Spoken-word recordings

  Rev-Ola's early catalog also included spoken-word recordings associated with William Shatner and Ivor Cutler. Their inclusion demonstrates the imprint's broad interpretation of archival music and audio culture.

• New music releases

  Selected new releases

  Although reissues have defined the label, Rev-Ola has also been described as issuing selected new releases. The available references do not identify a complete list of those releases or establish the scale of this activity.

• 1999

  Continuation under PoppyDisc after Creation's closureStrategy

  Background

  Creation Records closed in 1999, removing the organizational setting in which Rev-Ola had originally operated.

  Action taken

  Rev-Ola continued as an imprint of PoppyDisc, a Glasgow-based label founded by Joe Foster and Paul Cardow.

  Aftermath

  The imprint retained its specialist reissue and catalog-oriented identity while moving into a different independent-label structure. The available sources do not document subsequent financial or operational results.

  Source

1. 1Rev-Ola Recordsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Rev-Ola artist and release listingsdiscogs.com