Does anybody know 'Thomsun' label?

Subject: Does anybody know 'Thomsun'
From: GUEST,Alan Ross
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 12:37 PM

Hi a quick query. Can anybody tell me who a company were called 'Thomsun', who apparently produced unauthorised cassettes way back in the 1990's?   I found a cassette from way back called 'The Very Best of Daniel o' Donnell' Originals - which is not the authorised album version of the same title by Ritz/Rosette (different songs altogether).   This unauthorised compilation included my late father's song 'My Bonnie Maureen'.

I only found this a few weeks back in a charity shop. However, I am quite curious as to which country this was produced in - and pleased that they thought the song was worth including a a best of track, considering at this time of writing nobody has re-hashed the song in any other O'Donnell compilation.
I would guess that the compilation must have come out way back in the early 1990's. Numerous pop acts had their releases out by Thomsun back then. It looks like they ran cassette factories of some sort.   I would just like some information for posterity.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know 'Thomsun'
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 02:19 PM

A bit of quick googling suggests that the place of origin was Singapore.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know 'Thomsun'
From: GUEST,shepherdlass (minus cookie)
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 06:49 AM

They sold all over the middle and far east throughout the 1990s. Famous for simply recording the vinyl albums complete with scratches, pops and clicks. And for filling up the spare tape with absolutely anything, no matter how inappropriate. My personal favourite was their copy of Gorecki's Symphony No 2: just as the final notes were quietly dying away and you'd almost drifted off, the opening notes of the William Tell overture came blasting in, distorted and deafening at 3 times the volume.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know 'Thomsun'
From: GUEST,Alan Ross
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 06:52 AM

Thanks for the information Bonnie and sheperdlass.   This cassette must have been was a bit more professionally produced by Thomsun claiming 'Computer mastering', with printed cover (but no writer credits).    O' Donnell's stuff was on Digital CD so the quality is fine - and it does seem that they put some thought into the programming and order of the tracks - as they could have just chosen any old material, but it fits together in a cohesive way. They avoided many of O' Donnell's most obvious songs included on the official 'Very Best of Album', it has a running time of 90 Minutes.

Many Rock acts also had their material 'pirated' by the company under the title 'Thomsun originals'.   You won't find any of these special compialtions included in any discographies!