Jamaican Music

'Danehall', this heavyweight deluxe flexi-bound 200-plus book, is a definitive study and essential guide to the 1980s Jamaican dancehall scene, featuring hundreds of amazing, unique, never-before-seen photographs with accompanying text, interviews and biographies.

First extensive anthology of Lee Perry’s early productions. Includes numerous Jamaican hits. Features some of the most influential Jamaican recordings of the late 60s.Today, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is widely acknowledged by both fans and experts alike as being one of the finest talents to emerge during the golden age of Jamaican music. But his climb to the top of the musical ladder was neither easy nor swift: after working as a jack-of-all- trades for Studio One boss Clement ‘Coxson’ Dodd, he made his mark as a recording artist and arranger in the mid-60s before overseeing recording sessions for a number of up-and- coming record label owners. Finally, in mid-1968, he finally possessed the necessary funds and expertise to join their ranks and become a fully independent producer.

Most tracks unavailable for decades. Includes some of the most influential reggae recordings of the early 70s. Complements previous Perry-themed Doctor Bird collections. Featuring numerous tracks unavailable on any format for decades, this compelling 2CD set not only provides a fascinating insight into Lee 'Scratch' Perry's musical adventures during a transformative period in Jamaican musical history, it is also a must for all fans of the classic reggae sound.

An epic set of 15 tracks, Havana Meets Kingston Part 2 unites the deep roots grooves of reggae, dancehall and rocksteady with the scorching soul of Cuban son, timba and salsa. While connected by common African roots and colonial histories, the music of Cuba and Jamaica have traveled largely in separate directions. Their influence on the music of the world has been immeasurable, but their influence on each other has been less evident – until now.

Few artists in Jamaican music history boast a body of work as revered and influential as Johnny Osbourne’s. In a career spanning almost six decades, Johnny has traversed the musical changes from reggae to dancehall with ease, earning him the title 'Dancehall Godfather', bestowed upon him by generations of musicologists and fans alike. Now in 2025, some of Johnny’s most evergreen songs have been reimagined thanks to Frenchie, the top-ranking producer and Maximum Sound label owner, who has assembled a team of world-class Jamaican musicians, including saxophonist Dean Fraser and mixing engineer Gregory Morris, to reinterpret these celebrated anthems. The resulting album, Universal Love Showcase, which features such visionary artists as Tarrus Riley, Anthony B, Macka B, Alborosie, and Aza Lineage in combination with Johnny, will be released digitally on the 29th of August 2025 by VP Records.