All About Debts

Island Rhythms

Author: Staff
Island Records, the quintessential Caribbean music company that has brought the world so many variations of the island beat, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a cache of new releases highlighting the last four decades of ska, reggae and world beat music. Included in this musical medley is a two-disc anthology of Island Records' history (including early recordings from Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and The Maytals) and a boxed set from dub king Lee "Scratch" Perry. The live soundtrack to consummate entertainer Harry Belafonte's PBS special, An Evening With Harry Belafonte and Friends, has also been released. Both Perry and Belafonte's discs are currently in stores, and the anniversary compilation will be released periodically over the next year. The Jamaican-born company, founded in 1959 by Chris Blackwell (who has branched out into the boutique hotel business) and named after Alec Waugh's novel, Island in the Sun, has played a key role in popularizing the music of Jamaica and the Caribbean, as well as handling some of rock-and-roll's biggest acts, including U2. For more information about Island Records' releases, call 212-603-3950.

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