ABOUT THIS ITEM

In Jamaica in 1959, a 21 year-old music fan called Chris Blackwell created a seemingly insignificant music label that over time would become one of the most powerful and influential record companies in the world. Three years after its launch, having established his Island Records as a hit-making enterprise, the young entrepreneur transplanted the operation to London, where he set about releasing the best in authentic West Indian sounds for a growing British fan-base. And while ventures into rock and pop later brought his celebrated imprint even greater success, works by an array of talent, from Jimmy Cliff and Lee 'Scratch' Perry to Bob Marley and Sly & Robbie, always ensured Island's heartbeat remained Jamaican - a tradition that has continued to the present day. Charting Island's rise from its very origins in to the modern age, "War Inna Babylon" not only provides a fascinating insight into the changing sound of Jamaican music over the past 40 years, but also brings together some of the greatest Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae recordings of all time. In doing so, the collection tells the story of both Reggae and the celebrated label itself, through the 64 essential tracks and the fascinating narrative in the accompanying booklet.

Tracklisting
Disc 1
1. Lurel Aitken - Boogie In My Bones
2. Jackie Edwards - We're Gonna Love
3. Owen Gray - Darling Patricia
4. Derrick Morgan - Forward March
5. Derrick And Patsy - Housewives Choice
6. Desmond Dekker - Honour Your Mother And Father
7. Jimmy Cliff - King Of Kings
8. Ernest Ranglin - Exodus
9. Don Drummond, Duke Reid Eastern Standard Time
10. Chris Blackwell, Millie - My Boy Lollipop
11. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - Carry Go Bring Come
12. Carlos Malcolm - Bonanza Ska
13. Millie - Sweet William
14. Alton Ellis Dance Crasher
15. Baba Brooks - Guns Fever
16. Hopeton Lewis - Take It Easy
17. The Paragons - On The Beach
18. The Techniques - You Don't Care (aka You'll Want Me Back)
19. Keith & Tex - Stop That Train
20. Alton Ellis - Rock Steady
21. The Uniques - My Conversation
22. The Tennors - Ride Your Donkey
23. Val Bennett - Take 5
24. Derrick Morgan - Hold You Jack
25. Jimmy Cliff - The Harder They Come
26. Lorna Bennett - Breakfast In Bed
27. Zap Pow - This Is Reggae Music

Disc 2
1. The Heptones - Book Of Rules
2. Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey
3. Augustus Pablo - King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown
4. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - Carry Go Bring Come
5. Toots & The Maytals - Reggae Got Soul
6. Junior Murvin - Police & Thieves
7. Jah Lion - Soldier And Police War
8. Max Romeo - War Ina Babylon
9. Aswad - Back To Africa
10. Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Roast Fish And Corn Bread
11. Dillinger - Cokaine In My Brain
12. Leroy Smart - Ballistic Affair
13. The Heptones - Party Time
14. Third World - 1865 (96º In The Shade)
15. Rico Rodriguez - Ska Wars
16. Steel Pulse - Prodigal Son
17. Linton Kwesi Johnson - Want Fi Goh Rave
18. Jimmy Riley - Love & Devotion
19. black Uhuru - Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

Disc 3
1. Black Uhuru - Sinsemilla
2. Aswad - Warrior Charge
3. Sheila Hylton - The Bed's Too Big Without You
4. Junior Delgado - Fort Augustus
5. Papa Michigan & General Smiley - One Love Jam Down
6. Dennis Brown - Sitting And Watching
7. Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse
8. The Mighty Diamonds - Pass The Kouchie
9. Black Uhuru - What Is Life
10. Dennis Brown - Revolution
11. Ini Kamoze - Trouble You A Trouble Me
12. Gregory Isaacs - Oh What A Feeling
13. Aswad - Don't Turn Around
14. Chaka Demus & Pliers - Tease Me
15. Apache Indian - Boom Shack-A-Lak
16. Chaka Demus & Pliers - Murder She Wrote
17. Prince Buster - Whine & Grine
18. Damian Marley - Welcome To Jamrock