From Kingston, Jamaica to Jamaica, New York, respect is due to Randy’s because the former Kingston-based retail shop and studio, which eventually grew into the world’s leading reggae label VP Records, set the trend.  Celebrating 50 years in the business on a 2 CD/DVD collection (in stores Oct. 28, 2008), Reggae Anthology: Randy’s 50th Anniversary brings together 50 of the studio’s greatest productions organized by era and features musical icons like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots & The Maytals, The Skatalites and Dennis Brown.  With extended liner notes from esteemed historians Steve Barrow and David Katz and a complementary 40-minute DVD loaded with interviews, Randy’s 50th Anniversary provides an in-depth audio/visual experience on the birth of reggae during what is arguably its most creative period. 

Founded in 1958 by Vincent and Patricia Chin, Randy’s was the first complete package - studio, distribution, sales and most importantly vibes. Producers and artists crowded Idler’s Rest—a famous spot around the corner of Randy’s—to get a chance to record in the studio.  Many legends today made their mark at this historic location from Bob Marley and The Wailers’ ground-breaking album Catch A Fire to Peter Tosh’s first two solo albums Legalize It and Equal Rights. According to reggae luminary Pat Kelly, Randy’s had “the sound people want.  We can call it the ghetto sound.  The real roots sound.”

 From the very start, Randy’s linked itself to the popular yet controversial musical styles of the day – particularly ska, roots and dub reggae.  Disc One 1960-1971 features the early politically motivated ska tunes “Independent Jamaica” from Lord Creator and “Malcolm X” from the Skatalites, the Bob Marley & The Wailers cover of the Archie’s pop single “Sugar Sugar” and “John And James” by a youthful Toots & The Maytals displaying their spiritual and subtly subversive style.  The first album also features musical pioneers like the great trombonist Don Drummond on “Machine Shop”, organ player Jackie Mittoo on “End Dust” and the original sound system deejay Winston ‘Count Machukie’ Cooper on “Warfare”.

 The special significance of singers in the 1970s is reflected on Disc Two 1971-1976 with “Don’t Go” by Horace Andy, “Lonely Soldier” by Gregory Isaacs, “For The Love of You” by John Holt, and “Cheater” from Dennis Brown.  Randy’s critical role in the birth of reggae was re-confirmed with the release of Augustus Pablo’s “Java”.  This Clive Chin production was an instant hit not to mention the “1972 Instrumental of the Year” and title track to the first ever dub album, “Java, Java, Java, Java”.  DJ I-Roy’s “Hospital Trolley” (recorded on the “Java” riddim), Peter Tosh’s “You Can’t Fool Me Again” and Junior Byles’ “King of Babylon” are also must-listen recordings included on this extraordinary bicentennial release.

Sly Dunbar one half of the famed riddim twins Sly & Robbie sat in on many Randy’s Studio 17 sessions. He describes in the DVD how the Randy’s sound was one that “sounds ten times better than the stuff being put out today.  We are [now] trying to get back that sound but we can’t get it back.” 

From ska to reggae, to dub to Jamaica’s leading singers, Reggae Anthology: Randy’s 50th Anniversary is a history of reggae culture from its beginnings in the 1960s to perhaps its most ingenious peak in the 1970s.   This commemorative release puts these influential music-makers in their proper place, the hands of reggae collectors and music fans everywhere.  Respect to Randy’s every time.

ABOUT 17 NORTH PARADE

 Launched in 2007 by VP Records, the 17 North Parade imprint pays homage to the historic location of Randy's Record Mart, the premier recording studio and record shop in Kingston and mecca for Reggae music between the late 60's and 70's.  17 North Parade is dedicated to preserving and reintroducing the recordings of the Caribbean’s most influential musical pioneers.

Randy’s 50th Anniversary Track Listing:

DISC 1 – 1960 TO 1971

  1. Independent Jamaica – Lord Creator
  2. Like A Dream – Alton & Eddie
  3. Since You’re Gone – Roy & Paulette
  4. Rico Special – Rico Rodriquez
  5. We Will Be Lovers – Lord Creator & Norma Fraser
  6. Don’t Stay Out Late – Lord Creator
  7. Goodbye Pretty Darling – Basil Gabbidon
  8. Make Hay – Cornell Campbell
  9. Royal Charlie – Charlie Organaire
  10. Blow Roland Blow – Joanne Gordon & Roland Alphonso
  11. Portrait Of My Love – Baba Brooks
  12. Malcolm X – The Skatalites
  13. Mouth A Massy – Alton Ellis
  14. Rum Bumpers – John & Alton
  15. John And James – The Maytals
  16. Yagga Yagga – Delroy Byfield
  17. Machine Shop – Don Drummand
  18. Home Home Home – Stranger & Ken
  19. Such Is Life – Lord Creator
  20. Sugar Sugar – Bob Marley & The Wailers
  21. You Can’t Fool Me Again – Peter Tosh
  22. Wha She Do Now – The Gaylads
  23. Warfare – Count Machukie
  24. End Dust – Randy’s All Stars
  25. True Man – Ethiopians  

DISC 2 – 1971 – 1976

  1. Java – Augustus Pablo
  2. Hospital Trolley – I-Roy
  3. King Of Babylon – Junior Byles
  4. Don’t Go – Horace Andy
  5. A Little Love – Jimmy London
  6. Cheater – Dennis Brown
  7. For The Love Of You – John Holt
  8. Too Late To Turn Back Now – Alton Ellis
  9. Be Thankful – Donovan Carless
  10. Woman Of The Ghetto – Hortense Ellis
  11. Children Of The Ghetto – Senya
  12. Lonely Soldier – Gregory Isaacs
  13. Going To Zion – Black Uhuru
  14. Ordinary Man – Lloyd Parks
  15. Ordinary Man Version 3 – Impact All-Stars
  16. Hold Tight – African Brothers
  17. Righteous Man – Keith Popin
  18. Created By The Father – Errol Dunkley
  19. The Race – The Gladiators
  20. My Guiding Star – The Heptones
  21. Something On Your Mind – Hubert Lee
  22. Country Boy – Charlie Ace & Dirty Harry
  23. No Jestering – Carl Malcolm
  24. Knotty No Jester – Big Youth
  25. Fattie Bum Bum – Carl Malcolm