Trojan Records Presents The Best of Jamaican R&B/Blues Volume 1 - Various Artists on LP

One of five LP’s in a series of newly created Trojan Records compilations celebrating the 2015 re-launch of the label. Shortly before the advent of ska, Jamaica rocked to a sound variously known as Jamaican blues, shuffle blues, or blues beat. Influenced by U.S. musicians such as Rosco Gordon and Fats Domino, the style emphasized the off-beat and laid the foundation for the ska sound of the early-60s. Trojan Records Presents The Best of Jamaican R&B/Jamaican Blues Beat Volume 1 features 12 classic tracks from Desmond Dekker, Roland Alphonso, Derrick Morgan and more.

Launched in the summer of 1968, Trojan dominated the UK reggae scene throughout the late sixties and early seventies, issuing the best new sounds that both Jamaican and British music makers had to offer. Between 1969 and 1975, the company released well over two thousand 7” singles, of which no less than 28 breached the UK Top 50 chart. During the same period, it issued some 300 albums, highlighting the latest Reggae chart toppers, such as Desmond Dekker, John Holt, Toots & the Maytals and Ken Boothe, along with music from lesser-known artists, whose number included future legends, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs.

Trojan’s astounding success during this period was instrumental in introducing reggae to a global audience and in so doing provided the foundations upon which Jamaican music has since been able to develop and prosper. Today, more than four decades after its launch, Trojan remains one of the most iconic music labels in the world, continually attracting new fans with its vast catalog of music that encompasses a wide range of styles from sixties ska and rock steady to the more recent sounds of roots, dub, lovers rock and dancehall.

1.  Boogie In My Bones - Laurel Aitken & The Caribs

2.  Forward March - Derrick Morgan 

3.  We’ll Meet - Roy & Millie

4.  Sugar Dandy - The Jiving Juniors

5.  Jenny Lee - Owen Gray & The Caribs

6.  Back Beat - Roland Alphonso 

7.  Honour Your Mother And Father - Desmond Dekker

8.  Let The Good Times Roll - Derrick & Patsy

9.  Duck Soup - Drumbago & His Band

10. Oh Ma, Oh Pa - The Melody Enchanters

11. Darling Patricia - Owen Gray

12. Worried Over You - Keith & Enid