Mel-O Records was an independent Jersey City record label founded by producer Mel Odoms; its Discogs label page lists its contact as Jersey City, NJ, and states it was founded to release Tomorrow's Edition records.
In the Record§
The label pressed its address onto its records: 94 Union Street, Jersey City, NJ 07304, with a 201 phone number, placing its operation in the city's Bergen-Lafayette section.
Its catalog ran from 1981 to 1990: Tomorrow's Edition's "U Turn Me On" (MLO-437, 1981), "I'm The Best" (MLO-438, 1984), and "Million Dollars" (MLO 800 and MLO 900, 1987), plus "Things Ain't As Bad As They Seem" (MLO 777, 1985), a promo 12-inch by an act billed simply as Jersey, written by K. Nance and D. Sanchez and produced by Amir Bayyan, Adam Bayyan, and Dave Dastard for Mel-O Productions, with Melvin Odoms as executive producer.
Its final and best-known release was the debut single of Jersey City rap group Double XX Posse, "Executive Class" backed with "On A Mission" (MLO-1100, 1990), with production credited to Mel-O Odoms and Ray Howell; Big Beat reissued it in 1991 and signed the group, who reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles in 1992.
By the firsthand account of DJ Flash, given to this archive in 2026, the "Executive Class" session drew on a room of Jersey City DJs, including Flash on drums, DJ Stranger Dee on the sample, DJ Wimpy Bee producing, and brothers Sugar Chris and Magic on the bassline.
The Records§
Label scans from the Mel-O catalog, 1981 to 1990. The Jersey City address, 94 Union Street, is pressed into the rim of every Mel-O side.
Sources§
- Mel-o Records, Discogs label page (Jersey City, NJ) — link
- Jersey, Things Ain't As Bad As They Seem (MLO 777, 1985), label credits and Jersey City address, Discogs — link
- Double XX Posse, Executive Class / On A Mission (Mel-O 1100, 1990), Discogs — link
- Mel Odoms, Discogs artist profile (label founder) — link
- Oral history: DJ Flash, as told to The Jersey City Sound, 2026
Wanted for this Entry§
The archive is looking for the following. If you can supply any of it, use the claim bar below.
- Label scan for gallery (blue Mel-O label)
- Who was the act billed as 'Jersey' (MLO 777, 1985)?
- Label scan for gallery (blue Mel-O label; Robert can save the MLO 777 photo to Archive Photos)