Trojan Records

Trojan Records on vinyl: reggae from Jamaica for England

In short: Trojan Records was founded in London in 1968 and brought Jamaica’s music to Britain – rocksteady, early reggae and roots. Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, Lee “Scratch” Perry, John Holt and the Pioneers came out on Trojan, and the “Tighten Up” compilation series became legendary. The Vinyl Room currently has 48 Trojan records, mostly British pressings.

From our stock

Trojan first pressings

Reggae & rocksteady

Roots & lovers rock

New in

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

What makes Trojan special?

By the late sixties many people from the Caribbean lived in England, and their music found a large audience there. Trojan released the recordings of Jamaican producers in Britain – often on its own sub-labels – and took reggae into the British charts. In our stock that shows in Byron Lee And The Dragonaires’ “Rocksteady Explosion”, the Pioneers, Dandy, Nicky Thomas’ “Tell It Like It Is” and Bruce Ruffin.

In the seventies the sound became deeper and more spiritual: roots reggae, lovers rock and the experimental productions of Lee “Scratch” Perry – in our stock “Disco Devil”. Add calypso from The Mighty Sparrow and compilations like “Here Comes The Duke”.

FAQ

When was Trojan Records founded? In London in 1968.

Which artists came out on Trojan? Among others Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, Lee “Scratch” Perry, John Holt, The Pioneers and Nicky Thomas.

What is rocksteady? The style between ska and reggae, in Jamaica in the mid to late sixties – slower than ska, with a prominent bass.

What music do you have on Trojan? Reggae, roots, rocksteady, lovers rock and calypso – 48 records in all.