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The third and tightest of Ade's albums for Island. The sound here is a hybrid of his Ju Ju style with a bit of Afrobeat thrown in, with Tony Allen guesting on one number. The percolating multi-guitar and talking drum sound that was Ade's signature keeps the set gliding along nicely. 6 longer... read more

Fantastic stuff – and still sounding pretty fresh today! This is the first e.p. of tracks from Art of Noise, a groundbreaking set of sound collage tracks that mixes samples, beats, and dada instrumentation into a groove that definitely set the tone for the next 10 years. The record includes... read more

Some of the biggest singles by British reggae giants Aswad! Don't Turn Around his pretty heavy with material from the mid-to-late 80s period – when they were at a commercial peak – blending Lovers Rock and were crossing over in a major way. Breezy, easygoing stuff – plus some... read more

We've never really been sure if this is a compilation of earlier stuff, or some re-recordings that were put together for Island in the 70's. Whatever the case, though, it's a terrific set of tracks featuring Jorge's husky soulful voice, and a nice set of funky samba arrangements. Tracks include... read more

One of our top 10 dub albums of all time! This album bridges the gap between the the low-fi, down and dirty excursions of the 70's dub era, and the later high tech dub revolution brought on by On-U, Mad Professor and Jah Shaka. The rhythms here are all first rate, drawn mostly from their Chill Out... read more

One of our favorite Black Uhuru albums, when they'd fully matured as a group under the production of Sly & Robbie, with a tight modern reggae sound that few other groups could match from that era. Heavy, heavy grooves saddled with the trios potent lyrics and harmony vocals, including the... read more

One of our favorite Black Uhuru albums, when they'd fully matured as a group under the production of Sly & Robbie, with a tight modern reggae sound that few other groups could match from that era. Heavy, heavy grooves saddled with the trios potent lyrics and harmony vocals, including the... read more

The follow up to the burning Showcase set and second LP finding the harmony trio of Michael Rose, Puma Jones and Duckie Simpson under the heavy guidance of Sly & Robbie. While it didn't produce as many singular hits as the preceding set or the following Red LP, this album's still solid from... read more

The follow up to the crucial Marcus Garvey set, and the second collaboration between Burning Spear and producer Jack Ruby. While the earlier Studio One sides are truly great, the work of the group (still a harmony vocal trio) at this point took the next step to classic status. Essential stuff,... read more

A landmark in Jamaican soul and one of the albums that helped break reggae onto the world stage. A nice, nice selection of early '70's reggae, mostly performed by Jimmy Cliff, but with a few equally wonderful numbers by the Maytals & Desmond Dekker, too. Includes classics like the Maytals'... read more

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Funky uptempo grooves from Manu Dibango, recorded on the heels of the success of his big "Soul Makossa" hit – and with a similar approach to the funk. The record's a bit more produced than Soul Makossa – with less of the hard funky cuts that were on that one, and more of the... read more

Mostly instrumental tracks from hip hop djs and producers including Rob Swift, Prince Paul, DXT, Invisible Scratch Pickles, Q-Bert, DJ Krush, New Kingdom, all overseen by Bill Laswell. Much better than your average Axiom stuff. Cover art by Rammellzee. 14 tracks in all, including "Reanimati... read more

A pretty strong set of some of the more essential DJ Shadow – and one that smartly digs past the more obvious selections to include some great single edits, deeper mid- and later-era Shadow gems, one of the stronger Shadow-era UNKLE cuts and other leftfield choices! That said, there's some... read more

Nick Drake's second album, and a fantastic batch of jazz-tinged folksy tracks that's virtually unlike anything else ever done on this planet! The compositions are amazing, and Drake's execution of the material is masterfully produced by Joe Boyd, who brings out all the rich tonal qualities of the... read more

Nick Drake's second album, and a fantastic batch of jazz-tinged folksy tracks that's virtually unlike anything else ever done on this planet! The compositions are amazing, and Drake's execution of the material is masterfully produced by Joe Boyd, who brings out all the rich tonal qualities of the... read more

Godlike! This is probably the finest Nick Drake album that you can buy, and it's an incredible mix of folksy vocals, jazzy guitar, and incredible baroque arrangements! The album includes Drake's wonderful "River Man", one of his best-ever songs (and maybe one of THE best-ever songs!)... read more

A crucial record that introduced most folks to Nick Drake in the early 80s – a cool compilation drawn from his first 2 Island albums – and pretty darn rare! Tracks include "Cello Song", "Northern Sky", "Three Hours", and "Fly".... read more

A beautiful treasure from the legendary Nick Drake – the last album he ever recorded – and a set that may well be his most personal as well! The sound here is even more stripped-down than before – often just vocals and acoustic guitar, but used together in ways that are really... read more

A great set of arty pop, or intellectual rock, or post glam whatever you feel like calling it – a completely unique record all the way through! The set is one of Eno's classics from the 70s, with his wry take on music and lyrics, and a nice dark edge to the proceedings. Roxy Music's Phil... read more

Paid In Full, indeed. Eric B & Rakim's seminal album still pays off in so many ways, and it was such a vital link between the party rockin' style of the old school and the terse, hard-hitting beats and rhymes of what was then the new school, we can't even come up with the words for the praise... read more

A real lost chapter in the career of singer Georgie Fame – mid 70s material recorded for Island Records! The sound of Fame during these years is a bit of an extension of his previous work at Columbia – not really the jazz or R&B of his roots, and more a complicated blend of hip pop... read more

Classic work from Gwen Guthrie – a tight batch of keyboard-heavy cuts that sparkles with a strong 80s groove! Deodato's at the helm on production, and he clearly helps direct the sound of the set – giving it some of the sharpness and focus of his other 80s soul productions – and... read more

Early work from Gwen Guthrie – produced by Sly & Robbie, but with a sweet modern soul sound that's got a lot less of their influence than you'd guess! The sound is much more New York than Jamaica – and that's probably due to some great instrumental backing on keyboards by the likes... read more

Early work from Gwen Guthrie – produced by Sly & Robbie, but with a sweet modern soul sound that's got a lot less of their influence than you'd guess! The sound is much more New York than Jamaica – and that's probably due to some great instrumental backing on keyboards by the likes... read more

Great skittish grooves from Hi Tension – a key British dancefloor group from the late 70s! "British Hustle" is much more jaunty than American cuts with a hustle groove – almost a Jamaican influence somewhere in the rhythms, but topped with soaring chorus vocals that have an... read more

One of the greatest jazz rock albums to come out of the British scene at the end of the 60s – a record that's filled with tight changes, bluesy overtones, and some wonderfully choppy moments – all played by a legendary lineup that includes Terry Smith on guitar, John Healing on organ,... read more

A great lost roots albums from the underrated I Jah Man Levi. At the cusp of the 80s he appeared poised to achieve the level of dominance over the Jamaican scene like Burning Spear held in the early 70s, only to leave us with a few monumental recordings and then labor quietly for the rest of his... read more

Mid 90s Isleys – with some songs written by Angela Winbush, who also produces – as does R Kelly on a few numbers too! Includes "Floatin On Your Love", 'Whenever You're Ready", "Let's Get Intimate", their cover of Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years"... read more

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An irresistible classic from Miles Jaye – possibly his best-known album, bouncing along with plenty of beats at the end of the 80s! The rhythms are plenty programmed, but Miles' vocals provide a great warm sense of contrast – soaring out with fluid, mature tones that are mighty nice,... read more

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A classic disco stormer from Grace Jones – recorded at Sigma Sound with a real Philly groove, thanks to arrangements from John Monster Davis – and produced with a full, soaring sound from the legendary Tom Moulton! The set may well be Grace's true club classic from the late 70s –... read more

Great work from Grace Jones – still riding high on a disco wave here, but also finding her own space and sound too! The mighty Tom Moulton produced, ensuring some great sound for the set – and arrangements are by Thor Baldursson and John Davis, both of whom bring in nice sense of... read more

Great work from Grace Jones – still riding high on a disco wave here, but also finding her own space and sound too! The mighty Tom Moulton produced, ensuring some great sound for the set – and arrangements are by Thor Baldursson and John Davis, both of whom bring in nice sense of... read more

One of our favorite albums ever from Grace Jones – a record that has her shedding some of the disco excesses of earlier years, and moving into a great blend of sounds that really showcases the energy of the New York scene from which she sprang! The album was recorded in Nassau, with help... read more

A landmark little record from Grace Jones – a set that started off as one of those "hey, let's see if this model can sing" sort of records – but which has gone onto become an enduring classic! Most of the tunes are older ones, but they're remade with a soaring Sigma Sound... read more

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Funky b-boy classic! Sure, Malcolm was a blood-sucking vampire who was hungry enough to exploit any trend he could get his hands on – but in this case, he did all right, and came up with an album that stands the test of time in the breakdance crates. Includes the classics "Buffalo... read more

One of our favorite Wailers LPs – as solid a statement as Marley had made, and to our ears, the finest moment of his later career. The album features classics like "Natural Mystic", "Three Little Birds", "One Love/People Get Ready" and the excellent, driving... read more

One of our favorite Wailers LPs – as solid a statement as Marley had made, and to our ears, the finest moment of his later career. The album features classics like "Natural Mystic", "Three Little Birds", "One Love/People Get Ready" and the excellent, driving... read more

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Later Marley on Island, not our favorite stuff, but it plays well with the tourist crowd. Granted, there are some nice moments here, so we shouldn't get too down on it. Includes "Chant Down Babylon", "Buffalo Soldier", "Mix Up, Mix Up", "Blackman Redemption"... read more

Sweet grooves from the great Bob Marley – a set cut at a time when Marley was really riding his international fame – and able to create the kind of music that reached out way more than conventional reggae! The Kingston roots of the sound are still very firmly in place – but there'... read more

Sweet grooves from the great Bob Marley – a set cut at a time when Marley was really riding his international fame – and able to create the kind of music that reached out way more than conventional reggae! The Kingston roots of the sound are still very firmly in place – but there'... read more

A great collection of work from Bob Marley – put together as the soundtrack to the film of the same name, but a set that works equally well as a rich introduction to his music! There's a handful of classics here, but also some nice lesser-remembered tunes too – and the package includes... read more

A later effort from Robert Nesta Marley, though nowhere near past his prime. By this point in his career a lot of purists were criticizing Marley for crossing over too far, but there is no shortage of either conscious lyric and intent, nor heavy, rootsy rhythms here. The hit was "Roots, Rock... read more

Marley's last studio LP, this effort shows there was no letting up, either in his political stance or fiery songwriting. With the solid original rhythm section of Family Man & Carlton Barrett and the beautiful backing harmonies of the I-Three's, this set includes classic takes of "Redempti... read more

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A full length collabo from Nas & Damien "Jr Gong" Marley – who've worked together in the past on a track two – and overall it's a win that goes well beyond simple hip hop/dancehall fusion! The duo samples Mulatu, collaborate with K'Naan , Dennis Brown, Stephen Marley and... read more

A tome to the legacy of Island Records – the pretty amazing journey of a record label that began with the goal of bringing reggae to the masses – and in it's heyday, grew to be home to some of the most creative artists in modern pop music of sprawlingly broad styles! From Bob Marley to... read more

One of Nico's darkest albums – and the kind of record we always suggest to those who doubt her genius! The incredibly spare set has Nico playing harmonium, which makes for a spooky off-kilter sound that really gives the record a somber approach – especially as the instrument sounds a... read more

One of the biggest moments of the New York club scene of the early 80s! The Peech Boys cut their teeth at the Paradise Garage during the classic Larry Levan years – and this album has them working with Levan to forge a record of crossover club grooves filled with linn drum beats and DMX... read more

Blacksmith handled the remix and extra production work for this single – giving the track a nice strong London groove, circa 1990, which is about the best vintage we can think of!... read more

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The mothership has landed! While attempting to make a definitive compilation of all of Scratch's productions would take well more than 3 CDs, this set does a fine job of touching on important highlights and unearthing a few hidden gems, from the fertile Black Ark period. 55 tracks in all, with a... read more

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One of those British sessions from the early 70s that mix African grooves with British prog rock, in a mode that's similar to some of the Ginger Baker albums from the same time. Percussionist Anthony Reebop Kwaku Baah sings on the whole record, but the real strength comes from the ensemble backing... read more

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We love Sly & Robbie – really we do. And while they were responsible for many of the toughest rhythms ever laid to wax, they did cut their share of material that hits nice and hard, but may not be as sublime as their finest and fattest. While on paper this Bill Laswell produced session... read more

Swamp's 6th album – and one that shows him firmly moved from indie soul to territory that was more appealing to the white hipsters who were his audience for much of the 70s. Tracks are a mix of blues themes and political ones – handled in a mixture of ersatz funk and weak blues –... read more

Not nearly as great as some of their other bigger crossover hits, but still a solid album of soulful harmonies over pop reggae grooves. Titles include "Stay", "Arise", "Visit From Mozambique", "Uptown Rebel", "Stand Up On Your Own Two Feet", and... read more

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Titles include "When I Get To The Border", "We Sing Hallelujah", "The Great Valerio", "Down Where The Drunkards Roll", and "The Little Beggar Girl".... read more

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The great first album by Traffic – one of the best debuts by a British group in the late 60s! Better remembered as Mr. Fantasy, the album has a bit of a confusing release history. This excellent CD version features the album as it first appeared in the US – including the brilliant... read more

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One of the greatest steel band records ever – and a hip hop sample classic from way back! Sure, there were other hip steel bands back in the 70s – but nobody else ever got as far as 20th Century – ending up on a major label, cutting some key funky covers, and crossing over with... read more

One of the greatest steel band records ever – and a hip hop sample classic from way back! Sure, there were other hip steel bands back in the 70s – but nobody else ever got as far as 20th Century – ending up on a major label, cutting some key funky covers, and crossing over with... read more

One of the greatest steel band records ever – and a hip hop sample classic from way back! Sure, there were other hip steel bands back in the 70s – but nobody else ever got as far as 20th Century – ending up on a major label, cutting some key funky covers, and crossing over with... read more

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One of best ever albums by Tom Waits – the beginning of his gutbuckety, Americana Carnivalesque era of dreamlike sinister romance and lovelorn surrealism! The tin pan piano ballads and get pushed a bit to the wayside for Tom's more mysterious and poetic side, and this begins one of the great... read more

A pretty soulful batch of rock tracks – produced by Felix Pappalardi, with that compressed and slightly funky sound of later work by The Rascals, as well as some of the "singing in the range of the guitar" mode of Thin Lizzy. Overall, there's no real standout funk tracks –... read more

One of the weird Meters-related New Orleans parade bands from the 70s – similar to the group The Wild Magnolias, but with a sound that's more in a New Orleans mode than a 70s funk one. The Meters play on the record, and the group sings most of the vocals as well – and production is by... read more

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Key tracks from a really important time in Jamaican music – the wonderful rocksteady years of the late 60s, when the Kingston crowd were really coming with a unique groove of their own! The music here isn't really reggae, but kind of a rougher precursor – and one that still shows... read more

Here's the real deal – a totally cool collection of all-classic Jamaican ska tracks from the mid 60s – with no revival cuts, no remakes – just the core original grooves! The quality of the work here is tremendous – a rocking, romping approach to soul music that really shows... read more

Excellent compilation of Disco Not Disco style new wave tracks, on the awesome Ze imprint, with a great meeting of downtown new wave and disco sensibilities. 6 tracks in all: material "Busting Out", Was (Not Was) "Wheel Me Out", Christina "Drive My Car", Gichy Dan... read more