RECORDS
Independent label: The Peoples Community Radio (PCRL). It managed one single. It issued singles in PR-000 numerical series. Distributed By PCRL Records, 151, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QY. In the early 80s Cecil Morris was running Rising Star Records and Management from a shop at 151 Dudley Road Birmingham. He also branched out in to running a venue (The Elite) and a magazine (Rasta Mag), so it was obvious that Radio would be next. His first attempt was Radio Star which was first heard on 94.2 FM in 1982. The station was an immediate hit and continued through the early 80s and even attempted pirate television (Telstar) in 1984. There were numerous raids and court appearances and by 1985 Radio Star had become The Peoples Community Radio Link (PCRL). The station was first heard on the 23rd May 1985 on 103.7 FM and in its early days was often the only pirate on air in the West Midlands. This meant they lost a lot of transmitters to the DTI. However, they still became very popular and by 1986 had opened their own shop and started their own record label. The shop sold various PCRL merchandise, including T-shirts, sweat shirts, pens (of various natures), rulers, even pen-knives! The shop even had PCRL carrier bags. The record label, PCRL Records, released a 7″ single by Skibbu entitled “The One I Adore”. This was sold at the PCRL gift shop. Most of the music heard on PCRL was reggae music, also quite a lot of dance; soul and rap music was played. In addition, specialist music shows – such as a Gospel music show, and a Soca (Soul Calypso) show – were aired. On Saturday morning PCRL had a children’s show, during which – as well as music, phone-ins and games – children’s stories were read out. In November 1988, PCRL had its own Children In Need show to raise money for disadvantaged young people in the Birmingham area. Cecil Morris – aka Music Master – was taken to court a number of times for operating an unlicensed broadcasting station. During one such case in late 1988, following the transmitter, studio and shop all being raided, Cecil’s solicitors successfully argued that Cecil was running the PCRL Gift Shop and not PCRL Radio. PCRL continued through the 90s and into the 21st century despite many raids and prosecutions until they had a large raid in 2003. They were then taken to court in January 2004 and it become clear that – if PCRL were to continue – those involved would face severe legal penalties, and risk being sued by licensed stations for “lost revenue”. They were found guilty and large fines were given out, while Cecil received a suspended prison sentence. As a result, PCRL was forced to close.
| 86 | Sweet Harmony / Studio 2 Band | You Are The One (12") | PCRL | PR | 001 |
| 86 | Skibbu | The One I Adore | PCRL | PR | 002 |
