Island Records

Island Records on vinyl: from Jamaica to the world

In short: Island Records was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica in 1959 and soon moved to London. The label took reggae to the world – Bob Marley & The Wailers and “The Harder They Come” with Jimmy Cliff –, released Nick Drake and later U2. The Vinyl Room currently has 88 Island records, from reggae and folk to house and indie.

From our stock

Island first pressings

Reggae

Rock & pop

Electronic

New in

→ Reggae on vinyl · Trojan Records · How to spot a first pressing · Grading explained

What makes Island special?

Chris Blackwell grew up in Jamaica and started recording the island’s music there. In 1962 he took Island to London and sold Jamaican records to the immigrants in England. Ten years later he made reggae known worldwide: with the film soundtrack “The Harder They Come” and with Bob Marley & The Wailers, whose “Catch a Fire” came out on Island in 1973.

At the same time Island became a home for folk and rock in London. Nick Drake recorded his three albums here – we have “Bryter Layter” in stock. Other Island artists included Traffic, Cat Stevens and Roxy Music, and U2 from 1980. New artists still come out on Island today: in our stock, for example, Tame Impala, The Killers, Robyn, Disclosure and Hozier.

How collectors recognise early Island records

Collectors mainly look for the British pressings of the late sixties and early seventies. A well-known rule of thumb: in the late sixties the records had a pink label, followed by other designs such as the palm tree label. Which pressing you have exactly is only shown by label, catalogue number, runout and cover together – more in our guide “How to spot a first pressing”.

FAQ

Who founded Island Records? Chris Blackwell, in Jamaica in 1959. From 1962 the label was based in London.

Did Bob Marley come out on Island? Yes. Bob Marley & The Wailers’ work with Island began with “Catch a Fire” (1973).

What is Island’s “pink label”? The pink label of British Island records from the late sixties. Pressings with this label are especially sought after by collectors.

What music do you have on Island? Electronic, rock, pop, soul and reggae – from the sixties to today, 88 records in all.