Randy’s 50th Anniversary: Reggae Anthology Chapters One and Two Out Today on Vinyl
17 North Parade today release Randy’s 50th Anniversary: Reggae Anthology – Chapter One and Chapter Two on vinyl, marking the first time the acclaimed compilations have been issued in the format. Originally released on CD in 2008 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Randy’s Records, the two volumes document the music produced out of Randy’s Record Mart from 1960 through 1976, tracing the foundations of modern reggae and dancehall and the origins of what would become VP Records.
Chapter One focuses on the early years of Randy’s Record Mart and the productions of Vincent “Randy” Chin between 1960 and 1971. The collection traces the evolution of Jamaican music throughout the 1960s, moving from ska through rocksteady and into early reggae. Highlights include Lord Creator’s “Independent Jamaica,” alongside recordings by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots and The Maytals, The Skatalites, John Holt, Alton Ellis, and others. The vinyl edition features extensive sleeve notes by Steve Barrow of Blood & Fire, as well as inner sleeves with rare archival photographs.
Chapter Two picks up the story from 1971 to 1976, spotlighting productions by Clive Chin during a period of rapid stylistic expansion. The collection spans roots reggae, instrumentals, and crossover hits, from Augustus Pablo’s “Java” to Carl Malcolm’s “Fattie Bum Bum.” Artists featured include Black Uhuru, Horace Andy, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, The Heptones, and Big Youth. The vinyl release includes new packaging with detailed sleeve notes by reggae historian and Lee “Scratch” Perry biographer David Katz, along with rare photographs. Together, the two volumes offer a chronological portrait of Randy’s Record Mart as a central force in Jamaican music, capturing the studio’s role in shaping the sound, business, and global reach of reggae.
Randy’s 50th Anniversary: Reggae Anthology – Chapter One and Chapter Two are available today on vinyl via 17 North Parade.