Roots Archives Forum

Back in the mid 90s I purchased about 10 or so CDs from the Reggae Island label of material from artists like Roland Burrell, Devon Russell, Anthony Johnson, the Paragons (sans John Holt), etc.
Here is my question? Where does this material come from? Did the rtists allow these low budget releases?

The Johnny Clarke CD "Lift Yourself Up" is a re-titled "Can't Get Enough" the Alton Ellis "Valley of decision" has a lot of tracks that I know but am not sure if they were re-makes. Was the Anthony Johnson and Roland Burrell stuff from the 70s and early 80s? Where and when did all the Sugar Minott lovers rock tracks come from?

Even though these CDs are bootlegs and not wonderfully mastered, I still listen to most. The songs are almost all decent and enjoyable. I love Makasound, Blood and Fire, Pressure Sounds and the rest. None of these albums come close to things like "Marcus Garvey", "Heart of the Congos" or other "real" reggae milestones. But I find I enjoy these "generic" albums still. They have fun tunes that are catchy.
Anyone else out there care to admit that they have a similar weakness?

I have some of those cd's as promo direct from the producer him self.
They are low profil release in the eyes of buyers.


Lion

Are we talking about the same series of CDs that appeared on the dubious Prestige label ?
http://www.roots-archives.com/label/335

Those are the ones. CDs released on that label have turned up identically on other labels that I listed in the title to this post. I'm wondering where the majority of this stuff came from. For example, were the Roland Burrell tracks that were not off oh Johnny Dollar from 45s? Did Devon Russell release the Darker Than Blue tracks elsewhere legitimately? etc
My question was directed at getting more info about the history of the tracks contained on these labels. I believe many of the tracks are quite decent and want to know more.