Jesse Saunders
ListenOn and On · 1984
Jesse Saunders — “On and On,” recording linked in his Iconic Underground interview.
Listen on YouTube ↗
1984 · Jes Say Records
On and On
A stolen record helped prompt one of house music’s defining early releases. Jesse Saunders lost a favourite club track and set about making his own replacement; “On and On” carried that DJ’s instinct onto vinyl in 1984. [2]
| Accession | OMMA-0088 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Jesse Saunders |
| Release | 1984 · United States |
| Label | Jes Say Records · JS9999 |
| Format | 12-inch vinyl single · 33⅓ rpm |
| Issue | Original black-label issue |
| Runouts | A: JS9999 A ESC B: JS 9999 B |
| Recorded grade | VG+ · generic sleeve |
Release history and significance
Saunders recalled making a Mach megamix a signature part of his sets, especially its hypnotic bass line. When his copy disappeared, he drew on his drum-machine experiments to create something he could play instead. Some of those rhythm tracks became the new record’s B-side. [2]
The commercial idea grew at Chicago’s Imports Etc. A salesman asked about unfamiliar music in Saunders’ sets; Saunders brought in a tape, explained that the tracks were his own, and was told the shop could sell them. That response helped turn a private DJ tool into a release. [2]
Issued on Saunders’ Jes Say label, “On and On” is widely regarded as the first commercially released house record. The A-side is credited to Saunders and Vince Lawrence; the reverse contains five rhythm tracks. This copy has the black labels with white lettering used for the first pressing. [1] [2]
Market context
As of 13 September 2026, Discogs reported sales of the black-label edition ranging from US$35.00 to US$199.99, with a median of US$76.25. The most recent recorded sale was dated 14 August 2026. [1]
Physical Description
Black vinyl with white lettering on black labels, housed in a generic sleeve. No inserts accompany the record.
Condition
The disc is graded VG+, with minor spindle trails and light signs of use. Playback is documented as clear and stable, without background noise or skips. A small area of black marker appears on the B-side label.
Provenance
Purchased from Discogs seller WorldStylus on 12 February 2026.
Sources
- Discogs, Jesse Saunders — On and On, release 176575. Original black-label edition, track list and reported sales statistics.
- Mike Mannix, Iconic Underground interview with Jesse Saunders, 16 September 2018. First-person account of the missing record, drum-machine tracks and Imports Etc.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.