In Volume One, we published the most comprehensive database of all the Island 45s released.
From the very first single, Indepandent Jamaica Calypso (spelling on label is as is) by Lord Creator who was backed by the Jamaican Military Band in Kingston – in the mid-60s, Creator had more hits including Kingston Town in 1970. The list runs right through to the final 45 released in 1968 – Traffic’s Medicated Goo/Shanghai Noodle Factory. Coincidentally the week they split up (for the first time).
Other singles released included 45’s from Jimmy Cliff, The Skatalites, The Wailers, Lee Perry, The Maytals, Millie (though not My Boy Lollipop as that was licensed to Fontana) and Jackie Edwards,
Chris Blackwell launched Sue Records in the UK releasing the talents of Ike and Tina Turner, Bob & Earl, BB King, Etta James, John Lee Hooker, Gladys Knight … not forgetting James Brown and Otis Redding! Phwoar!
In 1989, UB40 did a cover version of Kingston Town, which became a hit in the UK, Austria, Belgium and Germany as well as being a Number #1 hit in France and the Netherlands
Neil Storey: “With a fledging business and singles being sold out the back of car boots in the early 60s, it’s not surprising documents listing the sales of those 45s were ever kept
“When 45’s or singles records were recorded, the idea of keeping some form of catalogue for the use of generations to come was not a high priority. In fact, it was probably not even considered.
“45s were eminently disposable – they came and went with increasing rapidity. Record shops referred to catalogues for ordering purposes and that was it.
‘Information is tricky. Take artist name spellings: Desmond Dacres’ stage name is – according to the labels – either Dekker or Dekkar. Another of the ska pioneers, Justin Hinds, occasionally becomes Hines.
‘We’ve taken name spellings and punctuations from the original labels even though it is perfectly obvious they aren’t always grammatically correct. The definitive article – ‘The’ used before a noun to define it as something specific – is sometimes included but sometimes not.
‘For instance, sometimes the Gaylads are, indeed, The Gaylads. Other times, they’re simply Gaylads. Or even Gay Lads.
‘What about producer or writer credits? These differed from when a record was licensed to one label and later, when it was licensed elsewhere. Also, in these early years, it wasn’t uncommon for artists to share A- and B-sides.”
The sad thing is is some of these recordings may never be heard again, they were recorded as singles and the overwhelming majority never featured in an album.
How many were there? … 934
