Shrine Records
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Eddie Singleton, Raynoma Gordy Singleton |
| Defunct | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
| Products | Soul and R&B music recordings |
Shrine Records was a soul and R&B label operating out of Washington, D.C., established in 1964 by songwriter Eddie Singleton alongside his wife, Raynoma Gordy Singleton, who co-founded Motown with Berry Gordy. The label's main office was located at 3 Thomas Circle NW in Washington, D.C.
From 1964 until 1967, Shrine issued twenty vinyl 45 singles comprising a total of forty tracks. Despite this catalog, none achieved notable commercial success, resulting in the label ceasing operations in 1967. Following the 1968 King assassination riots, a fire at a warehouse destroyed Shrine’s remaining inventory, rendering original pressings scarce and highly sought after by collectors.
In addition to released material, Shrine recorded numerous tracks that remained unreleased for years; many of these have since been made available through reissues by labels such as Horace's Records, Kent Records, and Ace Records.
Artists affiliated with Shrine included Ray Pollard (who later signed with Decca), Linda Tate, Frances Nero, Eddie Daye & the Four Bars, and the Cavaliers. The company's emblem was characterized by a simple line illustration of an eternal flame.
Reissues
The UK-based Horace's Records issued two vinyl LP compilations: Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label (HRH 101) in 1990 and its follow-up Volume 2 (HRH 102), as well as several split-artist vinyl 45s featuring original Shrine recordings.
Kent Records produced two CD collections encompassing both released and previously unreleased Shrine tracks: the 1998 release Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label (CDKEND 160) and Volume 2 in 2002 (CDKEND 190).
Goldmine (Soul Supply) Ltd also released five vinyl 45 singles containing Shrine material, including some previously unheard recordings by Bobby Reed.