Hunter Smith established Jumbo Records in September 1971, the name and logo coming from the successful disco and DJ business he was involved with called Jumbo Mobile Discotheque. The shop was started on the suggestion of an acquaintance who wanted someone to sell records at the back of his cassette and tape equipment store to encourage customers to come in. Hunter, still DJ-ing in the evenings around the clubs and dance halls of the area, and not being one of the most early of risers, decided, after a lot of deliberation, to take up the offer. Some loans, shop fittings and stock were organized, and he set off trying to learn as much as possible about the business and keep abreast of all the new releases each week (the Tams – “Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me” was at number 1 in the charts followed by Rod Stewart – “Maggie May”, plus Isaac Hayes – “Black Moses” was our first good selling album). Within two months the ‘acquaintance’ got greedy; he wanted Hunter and his kit out so that he could use the space for himself. Needless to say Christmas and New Year 1971 was a worrying time. Deep in dept and with all stock in a lock up garage, Hunter trudged off around Leeds to find somewhere to trade from to try and pay the bills. Eventually a small room was rented for £5 per week, on the balcony of the Queens Arcade. The fixtures and fittings were squeezed in, some having to be left in the lock-up garage due to lack of space. A large part of the existing stock was sold to ‘a man in the trade’ for less than cost, in order to release some cash to help reduce the ever-increasing pile of bills.