Baton Records

Baton Records was an independent record label founded in New York City by Sol Rabinowitz in the early 1950s. Rabinowitz, a former record salesman and R&B enthusiast, established the label after recording the young vocal group The Rivileers, whose demo had caught his attention at a Queens record shop. Although he initially hoped to lease their recordings to another company, he ultimately released them himself on Baton.

Baton’s first release, “A Thousand Stars” by The Rivileers, appeared in 1954 and became a regional R&B hit. The label went on to record a diverse range of rhythm & blues, doo-wop, jazz, gospel, and blues performers. Among its notable artists were The Hearts, Buddy Tate, Ann Cole, The Fidelitys, and Noble “Thin Man” Watts.

One of Baton’s best-known recordings was Ann Cole’s “Got My Mojo Working,” released in 1957. The song was subsequently recorded by Muddy Waters, becoming closely associated with his version as well. Other successful Baton releases included The Hearts’ “Lonely Nights,” Ann Cole’s “In the Chapel,” and Noble Watts’ “Hard Times (The Slop).”

Despite producing several successful records, Baton struggled with the distribution problems faced by many small independent labels in the 1950s. Rabinowitz wound down the label in 1959, subsequently establishing Sir Records, which continued some of Baton’s artists and catalog activity. Baton remains notable for documenting the New York R&B and doo-wop scene during the transition into rock & roll.

Baton Discography