Back in 1962 when Island Records was founded, they released “My Boy Lollipop” by Millie. That first hit brought in much needed cash that allowed the record company to sign Traffic and The Spencer Davis Group. Once Island Records established themselves as successful company, they branched out with “Caribbean” music from artists like Toots and The Maytals, Bob Marley & The Wailers, and Jimmy Cliff.
Big groups like U2 and Fairport Convention generated hits for Island records which funded more alternative groups like Eddie & The Hot Rods, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and The Buggles. Other Island hits included Joe Cocker & Jennifer’s “Up Where We Belong,” and Steve Winwood’s “Night Train.” Tom Waits, Robert Palmer, and Grace Jones all found success at Island Records.
Are you a fan of Island Records? Do you remember these songs? Any favorites? GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
| 1 | U2– | With Or Without You Producer – Brian Eno, Daniel LanoisWritten-By – U2Producer – Brian Eno, Daniel LanoisWritten-By – U2 | 4:53 |
| 2 | Steve Winwood– | Night Train Written-By – Will JenningsWritten-By, Producer – Steve WinwoodWritten-By – Will JenningsWritten-By, Producer – Steve Winwood | 7:51 |
| 3 | Marianne Faithfull– | Broken English Producer – Mark Miller MundyWritten-By – Raynolds*, Maverty*, Faithfull*, York*, Stannard*Producer – Mark Miller MundyWritten-By – Raynolds*, Maverty*, Faithfull*, York*, Stannard* | 3:00 |
| 4 | Black Uhuru– | Sinse Milla Producer – Robbie Shakespeare, Sly DunbarWritten-By – Michael RoseProducer – Robbie Shakespeare, Sly DunbarWritten-By – Michael Rose | 5:08 |
| 5 | Free– | All Right Now Producer – FreeWritten-By – Andy Fraser, Paul RodgersProducer – FreeWritten-By – Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers | 4:14 |
| 6 | Spencer Davis Group*– | Keep On Running Producer – Chris BlackwellWritten-By – Jackie EdwardsProducer – Chris BlackwellWritten-By – Jackie Edwards | 2:47 |
| 7 | Traffic– | Paper Sun Producer – Jimmy MillerWritten-By – Wood*, Mason*, Capaldi*, Winwood*Producer – Jimmy MillerWritten-By – Wood*, Mason*, Capaldi*, Winwood* | 4:14 |
| 8 | Robert Palmer– | Addicted To Love Producer – Bernard EdwardsWritten-By – Robert PalmerProducer – Bernard EdwardsWritten-By – Robert Palmer | 4:04 |
| 9 | Grace Jones– | Pull Up To The Bumper Producer – Alex Sadkin, Chris BlackwellWritten-By – Manno*, Jones*, Dunbar, Shakespeare*Producer – Alex Sadkin, Chris BlackwellWritten-By – Manno*, Jones*, Dunbar, Shakespeare* | 3:40 |
| 10 | Sly & Robbie– | Boops (Here To Go) Producer – Bill Laswell, MaterialWritten By – AikinWritten-By – Laswell*, Dunbar, Shakespeare*, Collins*Producer – Bill Laswell, MaterialWritten By – AikinWritten-By – Laswell*, Dunbar, Shakespeare*, Collins* | 5:00 |
| 11 | Gibson Brothers– | Cuba Written By, Producer – Daniel VangardeWritten-By – Jean KlugerWritten By, Producer – Daniel VangardeWritten-By – Jean Kluger | 3:01 |
| 12 | Toots And The Maytals*– | Funky Kingston Producer – Chris Blackwell, Dave BloxhamWritten-By – F. Hibbert*Producer – Chris Blackwell, Dave BloxhamWritten-By – F. Hibbert* | 3:31 |
| 13 | Desmond Dekker & The Aces– | The Israelites Written-By – Desmond DacresWritten-By, Producer – Leslie KongWritten-By – Desmond DacresWritten-By, Producer – Leslie Kong | 2:46 |
| 14 | Millie*– | My Boy Lollipop Directed By [Accompaniment] – Ernest RanglinWritten By – J. Roberts/Morris Levy/Robert SpencerWritten-By – J. Roberts*, M. Levy*Directed By [Accompaniment] – Ernest RanglinWritten By – J. Roberts/Morris Levy/Robert SpencerWritten-By – J. Roberts*, M. Levy* | 2:00 |
| 15 | Third World– | Now That We’ve Found Love Executive Producer – Chris BlackwellProducer – Alex Sadkin, Third WorldWritten-By – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff*Executive Producer – Chris BlackwellProducer – Alex Sadkin, Third WorldWritten-By – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff* | 3:57 |
| 1 | Bob Marley & The Wailers– | No Woman No Cry Producer – Chris Blackwell, Steve Smith (3)Written-By – V. Ford*Producer – Chris Blackwell, Steve Smith (3)Written-By – V. Ford* | 4:05 |
| 2 | Jim Capaldi– | Love Hurts Producer – Steve Smith (3)Written-By – Boudleaux BryantProducer – Steve Smith (3)Written-By – Boudleaux Bryant | 3:29 |
| 3 | Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes– | Up Where We Belong Written-By – Sainte-Marie*, Nitzsche*, Jennings*Written-By – Sainte-Marie*, Nitzsche*, Jennings* | 3:55 |
| 4 | Gwen Guthrie– | Padlock Written-By – T. Smith*Written-By – T. Smith* | 3:53 |
| 5 | Jimmy Cliff– | The Harder They Come Written-By, Producer – Jimmy CliffWritten-By, Producer – Jimmy Cliff | 3:38 |
| 6 | Pete Wingfield– | Eighteen With A Bullet Producer – Barry HammondWritten-By, Producer – Pete WingfieldProducer – Barry HammondWritten-By, Producer – Pete Wingfield | 3:29 |
| 7 | Fairport Convention– | Si Tu Dois Partir Producer – Joe BoydWritten-By – Bob DylanProducer – Joe BoydWritten-By – Bob Dylan | 2:20 |
| 8 | Tom Waits– | Innocent When You Dream (Bar Boom) Written-By, Producer – Tom WaitsWritten-By, Producer – Tom Waits | 4:14 |
| 9 | Julian Cope– | Word Shut Your Mouth Producer – Ed StasiumWritten-By – Julian CopeProducer – Ed StasiumWritten-By – Julian Cope | 3:05 |
| 10 | Will Powers– | Adventures In SuccessWritten-By – StingWritten-By, Producer – Lynn GoldsmithWritten-By – StingWritten-By, Producer – Lynn Goldsmith | 3:40 |
| 11 | Amazulu– | Montego Bay Producer – Andy HillWritten-By – B. Bloom*, J. Barry*Producer – Andy HillWritten-By – B. Bloom*, J. Barry* | 3:20 |
| 12 | The Buggles– | Video Killed The Radio Star Producer – The BugglesWritten-By – Woolley*, Downes*, Horn*Producer – The BugglesWritten-By – Woolley*, Downes*, Horn* | 3:20 |
| 13 | Sparks– | This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us Producer – Muff WinwoodWritten-By – Ron Meal*Producer – Muff WinwoodWritten-By – Ron Meal* | 3:04 |
| 14 | Eddie & The Hot Rods*– | Do Anything You Wanna Do Producer – Ed HollisWritten-By – Hollis*, Douglas*Producer – Ed HollisWritten-By – Hollis*, Douglas* | 4:00 |
| 15 | The Christians– | Forgotten Town Producer – Laurie LathamWritten-By – Henry*Producer – Laurie LathamWritten-By – Henry* | 3:59 |
| 16 | Frankie Goes To Hollywood– | Relax Producer – Trevor HornWritten-By – H., Johnson*, M. O’Toole*, P. Gill*Producer – Trevor HornWritten-By – H., Johnson*, M. O’Toole*, P. Gill* | 3:02 |
Great collection. Only one or two I don’t know, like the Jim Capaldi (a member of Traffic).
Steve, Island Records was a great company for music. Now it’s owned by the Universal Music Group (UMG).
“So as sure as the sun will shine,
I’m gonna get my share, what’s mine
And then the harder they come
The harder they fall, one and all.”
The whole THE HARDER THEY COME album is a favorite. Of course, when “My Boy Lollipop” was released here (in 1964), it was as by Millie Small. What I didn’t know was that the original version (which I’ve never heard) was written by Robert Spencer of The Cadillacs in 1956 and originally recorded by 14 year old Barbie Gaye. I just checked it on youtube, and it is almost the same arrangement, just with different music. I prefer the Millie Small. Otherwise, just the Bob Marley.
Jeff, “My Boy Lollipop” played a key role in Island Records. Without the infusion of cash from that hit, Island Records could not have signed the groups that they later were known for producing.
I like many of the songs here—particularly “My Boy Lollipop” (often billed as the first ska song to chart in the U.S.) and “The Israelites” (often billed as the first reggae song to chart in the U.S.).
Deb, Island Records was known for its innovative approach to music. Introducing ska and reggae into the U.S. and European markets was just part of their strategy.
I recognized several of the artists and songs but didn’t know anything about Island Records.
Thanks for the info and a pox on you for adding yet another CD to my collection! This stuff is hard to ignore.
As Hal Rice once said, “I’m not a collector. I’m an accumulator. “
Beth, this Island Record set is available online for reasonable prices. This is why Patti Abbott calls me “George the Tempter.”
I’ve been very fond of the Robert Palmer song since its release. I know only some of the others.
Rick, Robert Palmer is an underrated performer. I’m fond of “Simply Irresistible,” too.
I don’t have this collection, but I have others. Just last night I was looking at my 40th anniversary collection. It was five discs, sold separately, and I only bought the folk and rock ones. I don’t know if I skipped the ska, reggae and r&b ones, or didn’t see them. There are a number of favorites on your set that aren’t on my set: Relax, Video Killed the Radio Star, Broken English, With or Without You. But the 40th set is great, too (of course). I can still get the ones I’m missing if I wanted to; a couple of them are available for under $4. The ones I have, though: on Amazon vol 4 is unavailable, vol 3 is…$900. *koff*
Volume 1: Ska’s the Limit
–Laurel Aitken Boogie In My Bones 2:47
–Owen Gray Please Let Me Go 2:46
–The Jiving Juniors Sugar Dandy 2:17
–The Beans* Jumpin’ Beans 2:09
–Lord Creator Independent Jamaica 2:49
–Lord Kitchener The Road 3:25
–Roy & Millie We’ll Meet 2:25
–The Blues Busters Behold! 2:45
–Derrick Morgan Forward March 2:48
–Derrick & Patsy* Housewife’s Choice 2:39
–Robert Marley* Judge Not 2:25
–Jimmy Cliff King Of Kings 3:23
–The Maytals Six And Seven Books 2:23
–The Baba Brooks Band Bank To Bank Part 1 2:06
–Eric Morris* Penny Reel 2:28
–Justin Hinds & The Dominoes Carry, Go, Bring, Come 2:50
–Lord Tanamo Come Down 2:16
–Eric Morris* Solomon Grundie 2:36
–Don Drummond Eastern Standard Time 3:11
–Millie Small My Boy Lollipop
Volume 2: Rhythm and Blues Beat
-Inez Foxx Mockingbird 2:37
–Jimmy McGriff The Last Minute 2:49
–Donnie Elbert Little Piece Of Leather 2:41
–The Skatalites Guns Of Navarone 2:27
–Justin Hinds & The Dominoes Rub Up, Push Up 2:44
–Little Joe Cook Stormy Monday Blues 3:45
–Bob And Earl* Harlem Shuffle 2:47
–The Soul Sisters* I Can’t Stand It 2:41
–Jackie Edwards Come On Home 2:37
–The Spencer Davis Group Keep On Running 2:42
–Robert Parker Barefootin’ 2:33
–Roy C* Shotgun Wedding 2:19
–The V.I.Ps* I Wanna Be Free 3:11
–The Spencer Davis Group Gimme Some Lovin’ 2:53
–Delroy Wilson Dancing Mood 2:49
–The Wailers Put It On 3:05
–The Paragons The Tide Is High 2:39
–The Pioneers Long Shot Kick De Bucket 2:50
–Harry J’s All Stars* Liquidator 2:52
–Desmond Dekker Israelites 2:47
Volume 3: Acoustic Waves
-Fairport Convention Matty Groves 8:07
–Traffic (Roamin’ Thru The Gloamin’ With) Forty Thousand Headmen 3:14
–Sutherland Brothers Sailing 2:37
–Nick Drake Cello Song 4:44
–John Martyn May You Never 3:40
–Murray Head Say It Ain’t So, Joe 4:34
–Fairport Convention Who Knows Where The Time Goes 5:04
–Richard And Linda Thompson* I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight 3:06
–Renaissance Island 5:04
–Cat Stevens Where Do The Children Play 3:51
–Richard Thompson Poor Ditching Boy 3:00
–The Incredible String Band Dear Old Battlefield 3:01
–Sandy Denny Listen, Listen 3:56
–Amazing Blondel Pavan 3:17
–Morris On Cuckoo’s Nest 3:41
–The Chieftains Mná Na Héireann 3:28
Volume 4: Electric Currents
-Traffic Dear Mr. Fantasy 5:32
–Jethro Tull Cat’s Squirrel 5:39
–King Crimson The Court Of The Crimson King 9:22
–Free Mr. Big (Live) 6:18
–Spooky Tooth Better By You Better Than Me 3:32
–Heavy Jelly I Keep Singing That Same Old Song 5:00
–Traffic Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys 11:27
–John Martyn I’d Rather Be The Devil 6:17
–Bryan Ferry A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall 4:12
–Eno* Baby’s On Fire 5:21
–Roxy Music Do The Strand 3:58
–Robert Palmer From A Whisper To A Scream 3:35
–John Cale Heartbreak Hotel 3:10
–Bad Company Feel Like Makin’ Love
Volume 5: Reggae Roots
-Jimmy Cliff The Harder They Come 3:06
–Toots & The Maytals Funky Kingston 4:54
–Lee Perry Roast Fish & Cornbread 3:50
–Junior Murvin Police & Thieves 3:53
–Bob Marley Exodus (Single Version) 4:20
–Max Romeo War In A Babylon 4:50
–Jacob Miller & Inner Circle Tenement Yard 2:35
–Steel Pulse Ku Klux Klan 3:39
–Dillinger Cokane In My Brain 2:46
–Aswad Don’t Turn Around 3:38
–Third World Now That We’ve Found Love 3:43
–Chaka Demus & Pliers Murder She Wrote 4:04
–Augustus Pablo King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown 2:30
–Buju Banton Champion 3:54
–Black Uhuru Sinsemilla 5:09
–Luciano It’s Me Again Jah 4:02
–Burning Spear Marcus Garvey 3:26
–Gregory Isaacs Night Nurse 4:04
Jeff, the 40th Anniversary set is a wonderful, too! But have you noticed the prices of some music CDs have gone through the roof?
Blackwell’s Island records was one of my early favourites – together with Ertegun’s Atlantic. I liked most of their artists that you’ve listed here.
Just yesterday we listened to a collection of songs by Jim Capaldi of Traffic fame.
The Spencer Davis Group and Traffic were my favourites – Steve Winwood my favourite artist.
Probably written about this already:
I followed Steve on a concert tour through Texas around 15 years ago …
Wolf, there’s a lot of great music on these Island Records disks!