Island Records

[Billy Boy]

What happend to Island Records? They used to be big in the 70ies. Why there are no more releases?

[nowherefast]

where do you live, mate ?

[Billy Boy]

what kind of question is that??

[nwf]

that's exactly what i was wondering...

[Billy Boy]

I was just wondering, they recorded a lot of Reggae stuff in the 70ies. what about today? Is there a reason why they don't sign reggae artists anymore

[rcdupre]

I think most of those 70's releases on Virgin Frontline are kinda soft, they definately were intended for the crossover audience.

[Billy Boy]

yeah but I was talking about Island not Virgin

[BlackBBBoXXX]

yeah you're right,

Island Records brought some of the best stuff.

Max Romeo, Burning Spear, Third World, Junior Murvin, Black Uhuru.

It's a pitty that Island don't want to sign another Reggae Artist

[follnoone]

foolish talk

[capp]

As I recall Island records and their owner/CEO Chris Blackwell got in a dispute with Lee Perry and the promotion and his outings. This was, for example, the reason why Island didn't put out The Congos album.

This dispute might have been the reason why they let go of the reggae outings on the label.

Island did release some real classics, but I think some reggae connessieurs didn't like the pop/rock mixes of some albums (Catch a fire, Marcus Garvey etc.)

However, Island has done a tremendous job in the getting reggae out to a bigger audience.