180g Vinyl
Classic Island Records tracks from 1962-1969
Curated by Chris Blackwell
 
Since its beginnings in Jamaica in 1959, the story of the pioneering Island Records label has been inextricably linked to the story of its founder, Chris Blackwell. Now, Blackwell has curated a series of compilation LPs, featuring his hand-picked tracks that correspond with his and Island’s legendary history.

On February 26, Island Records / UMe will release Volume One of The Vinyl Series, a 14-track album covering the years 1962 to 1969. Volumes Two and Three will follow later this year and explore Island’s history in the decades that followed. Available exclusively on uDiscover & The Sound of Vinyl, each will be sold separately as well as a bundle with a discounted price for all three.

The first volume of The Vinyl Series includes such groundbreaking hits as Millie Small’s “My Boy Lollipop” and “Israelites” by Desmond Dekker and the Aces—songs which introduced much of the world to the sound of Jamaican music. The context for these singles is set by several early singles by Toots and the Maytalls and “Forward March” by a teenage Derrick Morgan, the “first star of ska.”
 
A1 Long Shot Kick De Bucket - The Pioneers
A2 Six And Seven Books - Toots & The Maytals
A3 Rivers Of Babylon - The Melodians
A4 Forward March - Derrick Morgan
A5 Liquidator - Harry J. All Stars
A6 Israelites - Desmond Dekker & The Aces
A7 007 (Shanty Town) - Desmond Dekker And The Aces
 
B1 My Boy Lollipop - Millie Small
B2 54-46 Was My Number - Toots & The Maytals
B3 Keep On Running - The Spencer Davis Group
B4 Gimme Some Lovin' - The Spencer Davis Group
B5 Mockingbird - Charlie & Inez Foxx
B6 Harlem Shuffle - Bob & Earl
B7 I Can't Stand It - The Soul Sisters