CUCA/PSALMS
Cuca records was formed in 1959 by James Kirchstein in Sauk City, Wisconsin. Sauk City isn't exactly the first, or the second city, that comes to mind when thinking about a location for a black gospel label. Knowing that the overwhelming majority of the releases on Cuca or one of its many subsidiaries were Polka and (white) Rock & Roll, it becomes even more interesting getting to know the black gospel output on Cuca/Psalms and the how it was released on Cuca/Psalms in the first place.
Cuca was a typical small(er) independent record company with its own studios and pressing plants. From day one till the closing day in the early seventies, Kirchstein did business with almost everyone who knocked on his door and was willing to accept the reasonable terms on the contract. On average Kirchstein charged for the complete production of a run of 500 45 rpm singles about 200 dollars and the cost for a run of 200 LP's was 400 dollars at Cuca. It was not only the affordable prices Cuca asked, also the sometimes cut-throath competition in Chicago for studio time which attracted several black gospel groups to move north across the state border to record and release their 45s.
For a detailed history on Cuca you can read Sarah Filzen's MA thesis "The History of Cuca Records, 1959-1973 : a Case Study of an Independent Record Company" online. All I know about Cuca comes from this thesis.
Psalms was Cuca's subsidiary for black gospel with its own numbering system. It's the labeling that can be confusing. Several of the releases in the Psalms catalogue have a Cuca label instead of a Psalms label. Therefor we use both names; Cuca/Psalms. There are still entries missing in this discography. All additions, labelscans and what else you have on Cuca/Psalms will be highly appreciated.
| Harmony Five | Seeking | Cuca/Psalms 1478 | ||
| I'm a soldier | ||||
| Southern Stars | God moves in mysterious ways | Cuca/Psalms 1483 | ||
| Nobody's fault but mine | ||||
| Universal Jubileers | Going back to Jesus | Cuca/Psalms 1514 | ||
| I believe Jesus is coming back again | ||||
| Harmony Five | Will Jesus welcome you there | Cuca/Psalms 1524 | ||
| That's all right | ||||
| Harmony Five | God is using me | Cuca/Psalms 1525 | ||
| No need to worry | ||||
| Southern Sounds | Lord, come see about me | Cuca/Psalms 1528 | ||
| Down on my knees | ||||
| Holy Providers | When you reach paradise | Cuca/Psalms 1534 | ||
| Surely He died | ||||
| Trinity Episcopal Church | Folk mass | Cuca/Psalms 1561 | ||
| Good news | ||||
| Brother Hayes & Farmer Singers | I got a home | Cuca/Psalms 1576 | ||
| You must be born again | ||||
| Harmony Five | Good times | Cuca/Psalms 1579 | ||
| Come too far to turn | ||||
| Harmony Five | I cried all night | Cuca/Psalms 1580 | ||
| God's gonna move this race | ||||
| Universal Jubileers | The Lord will make a way | Cuca/Psalms 1581 | ||
| Why am I treated so bad | ||||
| International Jubileers | Put a little love in your heart | Cuca/Psalms 1582 | ||
| Done what | ||||
| Space Singers of Chicago | You saved my soul | Cuca/Psalms 1584 | ||
| I know He keeps me | ||||
| Chicago Travelers | I've found my way | Cuca/Psalms 1585 | ||
| Let Jesus in | ||||
| Unknown Vocal Group | Sweet Jesus | Cuca/Psalms 1586 | ||
| I never turned my back on God | ||||
| Mighty Comforters | That's what I call a friend | Cuca/Psalms 1587 | ||
| Troubled all about my Lord | ||||
| Jordan Travelers | Tell Him | Cuca/Psalms 1592 | ||
| Go where Jesus is | ||||
| Harmony Kings | Hush mother | Cuca/Psalms 1593 | ||
| Tell me, how did you | ||||
| Holy Providers | Unknown | Cuca/Psalms 1594 | ||
| Unknown | ||||
| Southern Stars | Peter was fishing | Cuca/Psalms 1597 | ||
| He's the joy of my life | ||||
| Brother Hayes & Farmer Singers | I got to make it in | Cuca/Psalms 1601 | ||
| The Lord stopped | ||||
| Jordan Travelers | A friend in Jesus | Cuca/Psalms 1603 | ||
| The Lord is good | ||||
| Singing Souls | I started | Cuca/Psalms 1607 | ||
| Holy ghost | ||||
| Harmony Kings | Heavenly mine | Cuca/Psalms 1608 | ||
| Jesus never fails | ||||
| Fantastic Vocalaires | Remember me | Cuca/Psalms 1616 | ||
| I feel His spirit | ||||
| Sensational Armond Singers | Servant's prayer | Cuca/Psalms 5031 | ||
| Like Jesus | ||||
| Singing Souls of Milwaukee | When I'm gone | Cuca/Psalms 5042 | ||
| I've been born again | ||||
| St. Luke's Chorus | Jesus take another look at me | Cuca/Psalms 5049 | ||
| I'll take care of you | ||||
| Golden Truelites | Come out of the wilderness | Cuca/Psalms 5070 | ||
| Unknown | ||||
| Golden Truelites | The old rugged cross | Cuca/Psalms 5071 | ||
| Don't worry about me | ||||
| Golden Truelites | Where could I go | Cuca/Psalms 5072 | ||
| He brought joy | ||||
| International Jubilaires | Beautiful city | Cuca/Psalms 5079 | ||
| Don't let the devil fool you | ||||
| Brenda Wyatt | He touched me | Cuca/Psalms No # | ||
| All of my life | ||||
| Gospel Clouds | How things have changed | Cuca/Psalms No # | ||
| God bless our home | ||||
| Supreme Travelers | Rough rocket | Cuca No # | ||
| Come this far by faith | ||||
| ALBUM: | ||||
| Progressive Souls | Don't Sell Out | Cuca/Psalms LP-2120 |
Contributors:
- John Glassburner
- Bob Laughton