Island Records 1959-2009: 20 Records
This year Island Records is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Founded with just £1000 by Chris Blackwell in Kingston, Jamaica in 1959, Island relocated to London in the 60s and expanded on its roots in ska and rocksteady. It went on to build up an amazing rooster of extraordinary diversity making it one of the most enduringly excellent record labels around.
“When I recorded Lance Hayward at the Half Moon in 1959 at Federal Records Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, I had no inkling what path this had set me on,” says Blackwell. “It has been an honour and a privilege to work with some of the greatest musical artists of all time. It was always my intention at Island to make records that stood the test of time, and I’m proud that Island is still a potent force in music 50 years since that first release. I’m very excited to be collaborating with the label to celebrate Island’s 50th birthday and I’m particularly excited about the week of shows in London.”
The rest of 2009 is set to be filled with all types of Island-related celebrations including the Island 50 festival – a week of performances from some of Island’s past and present taking place at London’s Sheperd’s Bush Empire in May.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Island Records, here are 20 albums celebrating the label’s diverse and original output.
Tom Waits – Swordfishtrombones
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Roxy Music – For Your Pleasure
PJ Harvey – To Bring You My Love
Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come
Marianne Faithfull -Broken English
Fairport Convention – Liege & Lief
