Special Recording Department E.M.I. Studios Ltd., London

The Special Recording Department (located at the Abbey Road studios) was set up by Joseph Batten mid 1930's. Its aim was to produce sponsored shows for the Commercial Radio companies which were springing up in the mid 1930’s. At first it was closed at the beginning of the Second World War but soon re-opened to make recordings for ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association). After the WW2 it was also producing special recordings for theatrical companies as well as sound effect recordings and library music recordings for labels such as Chappell Recorded Music a.o..