“…lean, unhurried grooves behind tidings of history, spirituality, aspirations and romance.” – Jon Pareles, New York Times (2019 Holiday Gift Guide)
“A definitive overview…”– Will Hodgkinson, The Times of London
“… well-rounded portrait of the iconic imprint’s role in reggae history.” – Wayne Marshall, Pitchfork
“Absolutely incredible. I’ve never seen anything quite like it… – David Rodigan, BBC 1Xtra
“Crammed with essential hits that trace the history of reggae and dancehall music.” – John Masouri, Echoes
“…It’s gorgeous. It should win a Grammy for packaging.” – Roger Steffens
Down In Jamaica: 40 Years of VP Records, a 94-track, multi-format limited edition (2,000 run) box set with a 24-page booklet and art cards detailing the hits, the rarities, and the history of the world’s largest reggae label, with a digital release of the CD portion of the set available on all streaming platforms today.
In conjunction with the digital release and as the 40th anniversary winds down, label artist, Busy Signal, whose recently released “Parts of the Puzzle” album debuted at number 2 on The Billboard Reggae Chart and peaked at number 1 on the iTunes reggae chart, has curated a VP Records 40th anniversary playlist. Powered By Topsify, UK fans have the opportunity to win the newly released “Down in Jamaica: 40 Years of VP Records” Box Set in a very simple contest. To enter, all fans must do is follow the playlist on Spotify, for their chance to win the box set. Participants must live in the UK and the contest ends Friday 12/20.
Featuring 101 different artists, Down In Jamaica tells the story in detail through a chronological survey of the key records that helped define the company, from early singles on obscure sublabels (Roots From The Yard, Jah Guidance, and Love) to the well-known VP Records brand that brought Beenie Man, Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder, and others into the international mainstream.
Curated by DJ, writer, and VP Records Director of Catalog Development Carter Van Pelt, the set contains four 7-inch singles, four 12-inch singles, and four CDs, the first configuration of its kind for a box set package. The CDs include the chronology of hit songs, and the vinyl pieces bring back rare titles long out of print.
The singles format was the dominant vehicle for Jamaican music from its inception, and the collection tells the company’s story almost entirely from singles, taking its name from Red Fox and Naturalee’s 1989 hit.
“The goal is to tell the story of a continually owned and operated family business at the heart of the global growth of reggae, dancehall, and Caribbean music” said Van Pelt. “As a distributor and manufacturer, the company has brought some of reggae and dancehall’s most recognizable hits to the public over 40 years. This set ties that story together with some lost treasures in the form of vinyl rarities.”
Founded by Vincent and Patricia Chin as the US distribution arm of Randy’s Records from Kingston, Jamaica, Randy’s had been at the center of the Jamaican music industry since its inception. The VP chapter began in New York as reggae was on the verge of a major transition from Bob Marley’s era to the dancehall era of Yellowman, Chaka Demus, Shabba Ranks, Ninja Man, Beenie Man, and Bounty Killer.
Highlights from the set include Sean Paul & Sasha’s “I’m Still In Love With You,” Wayne Wonder’s “No Letting Go,” Beenie Man’s “Who Am I” and classics from Yellowman, Barrington Levy, Gregory Isaacs, and Dennis Brown and dozens of others. The vinyl selections include rare sides by Echo Minott, Freddie McKay, Junior Reid, Tenor Saw, and others, most available for the first time since their original pressings.
“We’re excited about the box set and the re-telling of our story,” said Randy Chin, President of VP Records, “It’s a great way to complete our 40th anniversary celebrations.”