Lo-Flo Records Will Release Archival Mel Carter Single
The label will issue the unearthed track "When" on September 25, 2026, after more than five decades in an archive.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in R&B
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Lo-Flo Records is set to release an archival single titled "When" featuring vocalist Mel Carter on September 25, 2026. The recording, which sat in Jane McNealy's archive for over five decades, was originally captured during an informal session in the early 1970s.
Why it matters
The release highlights the ongoing efforts of Lo-Flo Records founder Jane McNealy to preserve and restore historical musical works. It serves as a bridge between the classic era of R&B and contemporary digital music distribution.
Lo-Flo Records has released 100 compositions and 40 music videos since its 2020 launch, accumulating 5 million YouTube views. The label's channel currently maintains 125,000 subscribers.
The players
Mel Carter
He is a renowned vocalist known for his contributions to the R&B and pop music scenes during the 1960s.
Jane McNealy
She is a songwriter and the founder of Lo-Flo Records who created the label to preserve her musical archive.
Harold Battiste Jr.
He was a distinguished arranger and musician who played a significant role in the Los Angeles music community before his death in 2015.
Lo-Flo Records
It is an independent record label based in Los Angeles dedicated to the restoration and release of archival music.
The details
The song "When," written by Jane McNealy around 1968 or 1969, was recorded on a tape machine in the living room of Harold Battiste Jr. in Los Angeles. McNealy later expanded the minimalist tape by adding flute, guitar, bass, and a Rhodes piano.
Timeline
The song was written by Jane McNealy around 1968 or 1969.
The recording occurred at Harold Battiste Jr.'s home in the early 1970s.
Lo-Flo Records was officially launched in 2020.
The single "When" will be released on September 25, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This release follows a pattern set by the archival music preservation trend documented by the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. By digitizing and releasing long-lost home recordings, labels are increasingly finding success in catering to niche audiences interested in music history.
Listeners will be able to stream or purchase this archival material through standard digital music platforms when the song debuts. The release provides fans of 1960s and 1970s R&B with high-fidelity access to previously unreleased material.
The takeaway
Archival releases allow songwriters to maintain creative control over their legacy long after the original recording sessions conclude. Collectors should look to independent labels that prioritize the restoration of analog tape material to uncover lost musical gems.
What happens next
The single "When" is scheduled for its official digital release on September 25, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more about the genre through the R&B section.
More information
For more information on the label and its upcoming projects, visit the Lo-Flo Records official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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