Exclusive

History

Exclusive Records was established by Leon René in Los Angeles in 1944 and ceased operations in January 1950. Buddy Baker was the music director. The label's roster included music by Lucky Thompson, the Basin Street Boys, the Ceele Burke Orchestra, Edgar Hayes & His Stardusters, Herb Jeffries, Rickey Jordan, Jack McVea & His Orchestra, Mabel Scott, Frantic Fay Thomas, Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers, and Johnny Moore's Three Blazers with Charles Brown.

Leon René and his brother Otis René, who owned Excelsior Records, purchased a shellac record pressing plant, but when the format changed from 78 rpm to 45 rpm, their old equipment could not press the new smaller vinyl discs, and both labels went out of business.

In 1951, Leon René started up Class Records with his son, musician Googie René. They formed Rendezvous Records with new partners in 1958.

Roster

Big Jay McNeely

Buddy Baker Orchestra

Ceele Burke Orchestra

Charles Lind

Dan Burley & His Skiffle Boys

Doye O'Dell

Edgar Hayes & His Stardusters

Ernie Andrews

Four Hits and a Miss

Frances Wayne

Frank Haywood

"Frantic" Fay Thomas

Gladys Watts

Herb Jeffries

Jack McVea & His Orchestra

Jimmie Hudson

Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers

Joe Swift (with Johnny Otis & His Orchestra)

Johnny Moore's Three Blazers

Les Robinson Orchestra

Mabel Scott

Paul Martin Orchestra

Pete Peterson Orchestra

Prince Cooper Trio

Rafael Méndez Orchestra

Red Callender Trio

Redd Harper

Rickey Jordan

Smokey Hogg

Steve Miller's Four Barons

Texas Jim Lewis & His Lone Star Cowboys

The Basin Street Boys

The Dixieaires

The Famous Ward Singers of Philadelphia

The Gay Sisters of Chicago

The Sallie Martin Singers

WMA Soul Stirrers of Houston