Goldenlane Dub albums

[CourtneyBeat]

Unfortunately, like somebody said in a different thread, when it comes to reggae in general, as far as record stores and in this case record companies are concerned, it's a pretty low priority. Especially the stuff that we as true fans listen to.
I agree that what Goldenlane is doing is inherently "wrong", but at the same time I as a fan kinda wish more companies would take the time to dredge through b sides and put out compilations like these, if for no other reason than to make some stuff available to people without a fat bank account.
The fact of the matter is that even when something is released "legitimately", say on B&F or Trojan, it's not Augustus Pablo's family or whoever that benefits most (if at all)...it's the record label...pure and simple!
So, jury's still out on Goldenlane I suppose, but I for one am happy to see music that would otherwise cost me an arm and a leg available to the fans.

[Congo Bunny]

The fact of the matter is that even when something is released "legitimately", say on B&F or Trojan, it's not Augustus Pablo's family or whoever that benefits most (if at all)...it's the record label...pure and simple!

That's a very good point, the lion's share usually goes to the label

[Digikiller]

the logic in this thread is baffling. let me try and follow this - since producers benefit "little or if at all" from legitimate releases (totally wrong) you'd rather them get nothing (via bootleg downloads) than get the "little" something you perceive them to be getting?

part of the reason why labels and producers are reticent to reissue music is because the market has shrunk considerably compared to where it used to be and it's a long uphill battle to sustainable profits, a long term investment that most people cannot afford to make, producers & labels alike. why do you think there are so few reissue labels compared to how there used to be? further, producers are distrustful and disillusioned with a lot of the piracy (especially on the internet) going on. this is compounded by the fact that many older producers don't quite understand the digital/internet market and how it functions. all this together doesn't make for the most thriving culture of reissued music, especially compared to where it was at in the '90s (when CD's were still selling and you still had cheap and readily available vinyl mfg'ing in JA, which producers controlled hands-on).

your idea that the producers are essentially getting what they deserve or it's their own fault with these bootlegs, because they aren't "releasing it for the fans" considers very little besides your own desire for releases and the mis-informed notion that "record labels are the only ones who profit anyway, so what does it matter"

if you are a fan and you want producers to release music, the best and only way is to support legitimate releases so that producers and the labels who release their music earn money, which in turn will *enable and incentivise* them to release more legitimate product.

for many producers, music is/was their livelihood, how they earn(ed) a living. it's not a charity "for the fans" so they aren't going to be putting out music and losing money just because a few record collectors are bawling that it's unavailable. producers willfully signed contracts, received advances, recieved royalties and publishing from labels. i'm not saying there was never was dishonest labels (there were many), but without the record labels you are broadly villainizing there would be little to no foreign (non-JA) reggae market and you likely wouldn't be a "fan", and the thousands of records they released, many of which you are crying about not being reissued now, would have never existed.

one word: perspective.

there's my bored at the office rant for the day.

[CourtneyBeat]

That certainly puts things in perspective a bit, doesn't it.
I do NOT think at all that they are "getting what they deserve", quite the contrary. All of your points are totally valid, and I think what you said about them (the artists/producers) being discouraged with all the bootlegging is well founded.

[Congo Bunny]

You've made some pretty wild and offensive leaps from what I have actually said to what you say I have said

I won't get drawn into it as arguing on the internet is always pointless, and always seems harder on reggae forums because people never seem to read what has actually been said

I won't return to this thread

[davek]

**The point of music is to be heard not to be controlled by jealous and rich collectors so in a way Goldenlane are setting the music free, I would most likely never have heard any of this music if they hadn't freed it.**

Actually the music was originally made with the intention of it being *sold*, and the producers of the music we love aren't any more interested in having their productions "liberated" than you would be in having burglars "free up" your TV and home stereo. It's people that need to be liberated, not material possessions.

[flashman]

My question is: is it the buyer's responsibility to investigate the dubiousness of releases? If something's available from a legitimate retailer such as iTunes or a record store and you like how it sounds, is there anything else you really need to consider before buying it?
I'm not sure I know the answer and I'm not sure exactly where I stand on it, but I think it's an interesting question.

[Digikiller]

@Congo Bunny

i wasn't responding to you or anything you said. chill homie.

[CourtneyBeat]

What I think is pretty cool (and RELATIVELY harmless...) about some of the Goldenlane stuff is when you look at their Dub collection that has AAS Dub and Dub Festival on it. I mean, it's not like the producers of those albums are going to release those sets any time soon, and it certainly beats the hell out of spending a small fortune on those two lps, that is IF they ever show up for sale/auction. I understand the points made by both sides, and for one am not ashamed to say that I own many of their albums. Is it perfect, no. Would I gladly spend $20 on these albums had they been released in a legit manner, absolutely...especially if it meant top quality and such....but the fact of the matter is I want these tunes, and if this is the only way to get them then I for one am all for it. It is what it is, folks!