Blue Beat Records

Blue Beat Records

A massive label, before Trojan, there was Blue Beat. A subsidiary label of Melodisc that goes back to the late forties in the UK.

It released nearly 900 7” singles from 1960 to 1970, from every producer you can think of. Coxsone, Duke Reid, Leslie Kong, Lee Perry, Byron Lee, Cavalier, Charlie Organaire, Dada Tewari, Delroy Dunkley, Derrick Harriott, Doris Darling, Ewan McDermott, Eric Morris, Eddie Seaga, George Edwards, George Murphy, Harry Mudie, BB Seaton, Laurel Aitken, Lloyd Bell.

Lindon Pottinger, P Johnson, R Abrahams, Raymond Harper and Arkland Parks, Robbie Robinson,

Dandy, Sebastians, Sonny Bradshaw, Simone Smith, S Manning, Merritone, (Scott Mitchell, and Keith Scott) Sumray, Theo Beckford, T Spence, Vincent Chin and Wasp. Not forgetting, Melodisc, (UK – Self Produced ) Siggy Jackson and of course Prince Buster. A whole heap of tunes.

It is more or less the history of Sixties Jamaican music. Trojan’s success was greater and later and had more impact on the charts. But for lovers of Jamaican music in the sixties. Blue Beat was the go to label.

In recent years, a whole set of CD Box sets were released. Not Now Music was one of the labels behind this massive re-issue program. And what they lacked in sleevenotes, they made up for with pure music. Typically each set contained at least 3 CDs. With around 20 tracks per CDs.

Each and every one of them is essential.

The Story Of Blue Beat - 3 CDs - Notnowmusic

One of the opening shots in finally trying to make some sense ofthe pre-ska days of Jamaican music. This is shuffle beat! And its shufflebeat at its very best!!!

All the big stars of Jamaican music are here. Laurel Aitken, Higgs and Wilson, The Jiving Juniors, Keith and Enid, Derrick Morgan, Owen Gray, Byron Lee, Theo Beckford, Lloyd Clarke etc etc.

The real gems - tunes that eluded collectors for a long time are tunes like 'Album Of Memory' from the Magic Notes.

The other great thing about this set is that you get to understand the importance of bands like Kenneth Richards, and Trenton Spence. Those names pop up time after time. Clue J and the Blues Blasters were the band of the of moment and are also featured.

The sound quality is excellent. And needless to say so is the music!!