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Welcome to the '''Island Records''' research area for Discogs. If you have information about Island Records, put it here, and hopefully we can sort out the true history of this label.
 
 
{{Island}}
 
{{Island}}
  
==Island Records corporations==
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Welcome to the '''Island Records''' research area for [http://www.discogs.com/ Discogs]. If you have information about the Island Records label or its affiliated brands and companies (4th & Broadway, Mango, Antilles, Tuff Gong, etc.), then put what you know here, and hopefully we can sort out the true history of this label and improve the way it is handled in Discogs.
The Island name and brand has been associated with many different corporate entities. Details we know so far may be found in the [[Island Records corporations]] article.
 
  
==Logos and label designs==
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==Island information==
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Information collected so far includes the following:
  
There is a gallery of [[Island Records logo and label designs]] available.
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* An increasingly comprehensive [[Island Records timeline]].
 +
* A gallery of [[Island Records logo and label designs]].
 +
* A dumping ground for [[Island Records artifacts]]: images and fine-print details from actual releases, from which we can hopefully spot trends and deduce facts.
 +
* Information about [[Island Records corporations|corporations associated with the Island name and brand]].
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* A gallery of [[Island Records office buildings]].
  
==Offices==
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Perhaps of particular interest to Discogs users are the following:
On a separate page there is a small [[Island Records office buildings|gallery of buildings that housed Island's corporate offices]] available.
 
  
==Timeline==
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* An overview of how we handle [[Island in Discogs]].
* 1959 - Island Records founded as Jamaican music label (in Jamaica) by Chris Blackwell and Graeme Goodall
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* A guide to [[Island Records catalogue numbers]], derived mostly from Discogs data.
* 1959 - Laurel Aiken's "Boogie In My Bones" tops Jamaican chart for 11 weeks
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* A section where we identify [[Island Records questionable entries]] currently in Discogs and try to sort out what's going on with them.
* 1960 - ''Lance Heywood at the Half Moon Hotel'', the first LP on Island, released w/catalogue # CB 22 (22 being Blackwell's age)
 
* 8 May 1962 - Island Records Ltd. incorporates in the UK
 
* Mar 1964 - Island's first million-seller, the bluebeat track "My Boy Lollipop" (a cover of a 1957 hit by Barbie Gaye), is recorded in London by Millie Small and released in the UK via Fontana under licence due to Blackwell's trepidation about overextending Island to meet the demand for one release. It goes to #2 in both the UK and US
 
* 1964 - Blackwell & Guy Stevens launch Sue sublabel to promote US r'n'b in the UK
 
* 1965? - Blackwell signs Spencer Davis Group but licenses all material to Fontana
 
* Jan 1966 - Spencer Davis Group bumps Beatles from #1 spot on UK chart
 
* 28 Jul 1967 - Trojan Records label launched to showcase Duke Reid; most of Island's reggae artists are moved to it as Island moves toward college rock, signing Art and Traffic.
 
* 1968 - Lee Gopthal's label B&C (Beat & Commercial) merges with Island.
 
* 1968 - Trojan folds after about a dozen releases, but is relaunched the same year by Lee Gopthal.
 
* 2 Mar 1970 - Island Records, Inc. incorporates in New York state
 
* 1971 - Ariola begins partnership with Island[http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.ariola.de/historie.html]
 
* 1972 - Jimmy Cliff leaves Island in frustration at declining support for reggae artists
 
* late 1972 - The Wailers are signed to Island; Blackwell helps them record their first album for £4000
 
* 10 Jun 1974 - Island Records, Inc. incorporates in California, operating from Warner Bros. Records address
 
* 1975 - "No Woman, No Cry" becomes Bob Marley's first UK hit
 
* Mar 1980 - U2 signs to Island
 
* 17 Sep 1982 - Island Records, Inc. (New York) incorporates in California
 
* 1983 - Blackwell forms Island Alive, a film production and distribution company
 
* 1984 - Island buys Stiff Records
 
* 1986 - Island sells Stiff Records
 
* 1989 - Philips floats 16% of PolyGram on the Amsterdam stock exchange, valuing the whole company at $5.6 billion. PolyGram embarks on a new program of acquisitions, including A&M and Island Records in 1989.
 
* Jul 1989 - Island Records and Island Music acquired by PolyGram UK Group for £272 million. From this point on, Island is no longer an indie label.
 
* 1993 - Motown is bought by PolyGram
 
* 1994 - Def Jam Recordings is bought by PolyGram
 
* 1995 - Rodven Records is bought by PolyGram
 
* 1996 - After buying 50% of Interscope Records, MCA Music Entertainment Group is renamed to Universal Music Group. MCA Inc. renames to Universal Studios Inc.
 
* Nov 1997 - Chris Blackwell resigns as CEO of Island Entertainment.
 
* 1998 - Chris Blackwell forms Palm Pictures.
 
* 10 Dec 1998 - Universal Music Group's parent company, Seagram, purchases PolyGram and merges it with UMG. UMG announces it will merge Geffen and A&M into Interscope, and it will also merge Island and Mercury into a new company: Island Mercury (aka Island Mercury Group).
 
* Dec 1998 or Jan 1999 - In the UK, Island Mercury Group is formed.
 
* Dec 1998 or Jan 1999 - In the US, the Island Def Jam Music Group, consisting of Island Records, Def Jam Recordings and Def Soul, is formed as a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. As of 2002, it has partnerships with American Recordings, Lost Highway Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Java Records, Murder Inc., Bloodline Records and Roadrunner Records. The company also gains control of the Tuff Gong label and the pop and rock back catalog of Mercury Records and Casablanca Records.<!--it's not clear if these are acquisitions or partnerships or what (or if it matters)-->
 
* Jan 1999 - Universal announces a merger with Island and that Mercury (UK) will market Island's US repertoire
 
* 29 Mar 1999 - Island Records Ltd. (UK) changes its name to Universal-Island Records Ltd.
 
* Oct 1999 - UMG forms Universal Music Enterprises (UME), an umbrella organization to coordinate the US activities of five companies that market special-market and cross-label releases: Catalog Management, UTV Records, Hip-O Records, Universal Music Special Markets, and Universal Film & Television Music. At some point in 1999, UMG also launches UM3, a catalogue marketing, commercial and consumer marketing and TV merchandising division for outside of the US.
 
* 20 Jun 2000 - Seagram, Vivendi and Canal+ fuse to become the world's second-largest media company, Vivendi Universal.
 
* 2002 - Universal Music Germany takes over Koch Music and shifts its company headquarters from Hamburg to Berlin.
 
* Jan 2003 - Four divisions of Universal Music Germany merge into two: Motor Music and Urban/Def Jam become Motor Urban Def Jam, and Polydor merges with Island Mercury (aka Island Mercury Labelgroup) to form Polydor Island (aka Polydor Island Group).
 
* 2004 - Motor Urban Def Jam and Polydor Island merge. Universal Music Germany now has only two divisions: Universal Music Domestic Division and Universal Music International Division.
 
* 2005 - Jay-Z becomes President and CEO of Island Def Jam Music Group after it buys out his Roc-A-Fella label
 
  
To be determined:
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It should also be helpful to review the definition of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_label record label].
* The 'Island Records' brand is still used by whom, exactly? Who owns the trademarks?
 
* '''Island Records Group''' is a UK company; how does it fit into the timeline? It apparently replaced(?) Island Mercury Group. Is this correct, and if so, when did it happen? Google references to it seem to begin around 2002.
 
* '''Island-Mercury Labelgroup''' in Germany seems to have only released material in 2002-2003, but the Island Mercury Group (UK) formed in Dec 1998 or early 1999. When did Island-Mercury Labelgroup form?
 
  
==Info sources==
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==Other information sources==
Some good sources of info on Island specifically:
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Here are some useful, external sources of info on Island:
* [http://islandrecords.co.uk/history.html Island Records history] at the Island UK site
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* The articles on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_Records Island Records] at Wikipedia was mostly written based on research accumulated here
* [http://www.gowpen.biz/labelUKind.htm independently researched UK record label info] (+[http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:z7JgWErLZbYJ:www.gowpen.biz/labelUKind.htm Google cache]) at Gowpen.biz
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* [http://islandrecords.co.uk/history.html Island Records history] at the Island UK site — '''dead link'''
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* [http://web.archive.org/web/20051215111357/http://www.gowpen.biz/labelUKind.htm independently researched UK record label info] was at Gowpen.biz
 
* [http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1994/fulltext/356a5.1.pdf Some large acquisitions by record companies, 1983 to 1993] - appendix in a report by the Competition Commisson (UK)
 
* [http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1994/fulltext/356a5.1.pdf Some large acquisitions by record companies, 1983 to 1993] - appendix in a report by the Competition Commisson (UK)
* [http://www.u2world.com/news/article.php3?id_article=280 Sigerson, Barbis Sail Into Top Island Posts] - 1989 ''Variety'' article that says Blackwell's departure from PolyGram was acrimonious and talks about his replacements
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* [http://www.u2world.com/news/article.php3?id_article=280 Sigerson, Barbis Sail Into Top Island Posts] - 1989 ''Variety'' article that says Blackwell's departure from PolyGram was acrimonious and talks about his replacements — '''dead link'''
 
* [http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_chris_blackwell_lp/index.html Chris Blackwell: From LP to DVD, still living the Island life] - interview in Dec 1999 issue of Mix magazine (US)
 
* [http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_chris_blackwell_lp/index.html Chris Blackwell: From LP to DVD, still living the Island life] - interview in Dec 1999 issue of Mix magazine (US)
* [http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid1=3352 Chris Blackwell: Savvy Svengali] - lengthy Island and Chris Blackwell career timeline through 2004
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* [http://exclaim.ca/Features/Timeline/chris_blackwell-savvy_svengali Chris Blackwell: Savvy Svengali] - lengthy Island and Chris Blackwell career timeline through 2004
* [http://www.sudeepaudio.com/glossary_details.php?cat=Music%20Labels%20across%20the%20world Music Labels across the world] - says "In 1975 Blackwell launched Island Records in America with Joe South and War" but this is coming from a recording studio in India...is it reliable?
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* [http://www.sudeepaudio.com/glossary.php?cat=Music%20Labels%20across%20the%20world Music Labels across the world] - says "In 1975 Blackwell launched Island Records in America with Joe South and War" but this is coming from a recording studio in India...is it reliable?
 
* [http://www.aimeemanninprint.com/1998/ny122198.htm A Major Merger Shakes Up the World of Rock] - Dec 1998 ''New York Times'' article about the PolyGram-Universal merger.
 
* [http://www.aimeemanninprint.com/1998/ny122198.htm A Major Merger Shakes Up the World of Rock] - Dec 1998 ''New York Times'' article about the PolyGram-Universal merger.
* [http://new.umusic.com/News.aspx?NewsId=143 New Marketing and Promotion Structure at Universal Music Germany] - Jan 2003 PR about a pair of mergers within Universal Music Germany's divisions
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* [http://www.universalmusic.com/corporate/news35137 New Marketing and Promotion Structure at Universal Music Germany] - Jan 2003 PR about a pair of mergers within Universal Music Germany's divisions
 
* [http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20050822/business/business1.html Music mogul optimistic] - Aug 2005 Blackwell interview
 
* [http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20050822/business/business1.html Music mogul optimistic] - Aug 2005 Blackwell interview
* [http://www.musictank.co.uk/events_mergers.htm Label Mergers: bigger 'n' better 'n' rougher 'n' tougher?] - transcript of a 2004 "think tank" session involving Marc Marot (former MD, Island Records)
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* [https://www.musictank.co.uk/musictank/events/label-mergers-bigger-n-better-n-rougher-n-tougher Label Mergers: bigger 'n' better 'n' rougher 'n' tougher?] - transcript of a 2004 "think tank" session involving Marc Marot (former MD, Island Records); requires joining the site
* Misc. discographic details at black-music-collectors.com:
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* Misc. discographic details at black-music-collectors.com (these have all moved to new URLs though):
** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/island_us.htm http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/island_us.htm]
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** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/island_uk.htm Island Records (UK)]
** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/island_uk.htm http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/island_uk.htm]
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** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/island_us.htm Island Records (US)]
** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/4th_and_broadway.htm http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/4th_and_broadway.htm]
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** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/4th_and_broadway.htm 4th & Broadway]
** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/4th_bway.htm http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/4th_bway.htm]
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** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/4th_bway.htm 4th & Bway]
** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/antilles.htm http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/antilles.htm]
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** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/antilles.htm Antilles]
** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/mango.htm http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/mango.htm]
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** [http://www.black-music-collectors.com/labels/mango.htm Mango]
 
* [http://www.u2wanderer.org/disco/ U2 discography with lots of scans]
 
* [http://www.u2wanderer.org/disco/ U2 discography with lots of scans]
 
* [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/fcfansite/discography.htm Fairport Convention discography] with scans and good details
 
* [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/fcfansite/discography.htm Fairport Convention discography] with scans and good details
 
* This [http://www.collectable-records.ru/labels/E_M/Island/index.htm Island label gallery] has many label scans
 
* This [http://www.collectable-records.ru/labels/E_M/Island/index.htm Island label gallery] has many label scans
* [http://www.collectable-records.ru/book/island.htm Island Book: 1962&ndash;1977] is a forthcoming collector's book that would probably answer a LOT of questions. Check out the [http://www.collectable-records.ru/book/55555.pdf sample pages] (PDF)
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* ''[http://www.collectable-records.ru/book/island.htm Island Book: 1962&ndash;1977]'' is a collector's book that provides images of nearly every pre-1978 UK release. Check out the [http://www.collectable-records.ru/book/55555.pdf sample pages] (PDF)
 
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* Someone has started an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_Records_Discography Island Records discography] at Wikipedia.
 
People who might be able to give us more info:
 
People who might be able to give us more info:
* '''''Rob Partridge''' was head of press at Island from 1975 until sometime in the 1980s. He later became a director of the company's in-house jazz label, Antilles. He now co-runs his own prestigious independent press and management company, [http://www.coalitiongroup.co.uk Coalition]. Email: rob@coalitiongroup.co.uk''
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> Neil Storey (neilstorey@aol.com)has edited the following<
 
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You've listed Rob at Coalition... sadly, Rob died during December 2008...
===General info===
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* '''Rob Partridge''' former Music Week, Record Mirror and Melody Maker staff-writer was appointed head of press during 1975 and later became a Director of the company until CB sold Island. During the latter years, Rob was also a Director of and ran the company's in-house jazz label, Antilles (signing Courtney Pine among others).  
A couple of great diagrams:
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Partridge & Storey (later to become Coalition) was founded the day Margaret Thatcher resigned. Our first staff-member was Gaylene Martin (who'd worked with RP at Antilles) and we began with three clients - none of whom did interviews (that seemed a good blue-print for a pr company). Ultimately, the company's roster grew and evolved in Coalition a couple of years later when David May (as a 3rd Director) joined. Neil Storey left in 1996/7 and DM not long after.  
;industry-level supply chain
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Coalition grew into one of the most important multi-media companies and nowadays incorporates both be-spoke PR and a highly succesful Management division (run by Tim Vigon).
:[[Image:industry.gif]]
 
;record company-level supply chain
 
:[[Image:Diagram2.gif]]
 
 
 
;What is a label?
 
:''I've finally written up what I think is a pretty good overview. It's everything up until the 'cleanup' box in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_label record label article on Wikipedia]'' - mjb
 
 
 
;What is a label ''in Discogs''?
 
:''[http://www.discogs.com/forums/topic?topic_id=99904#1304328 This writeup] is geared toward giving people an understanding of what a "sublabel" is in Discogs, but I basically touch on all the important points.'' - mjb
 
 
 
==Island in Discogs==
 
 
 
The way we file Island related releases in Discogs is kind of a mess, and is still in a state of flux. It is slowly getting better, but the label doesn't lend itself well to some of the policies that people have tried to enforce in the past.
 
 
 
On the [[Island in Discogs]] page you can see how things are currently filed, and suggest improvements.
 
 
 
==Catalogue number formats==
 
 
 
As we view and compare more and more releases, we are getting a better sense of the relationship between the formats of [[Island Records catalogue numbers]] and their corresponding labels, companies, territories, and years of release.
 
 
 
==Packaging artifacts==
 
 
 
Over on the [[Island Records artifacts]] page we're collecting examples of all the important info we can find on releases that are Island branded or Island related.
 
 
 
Hopefully we can spot trends and deduce facts about Island by transcribing, describing, and examining the catalogue numbers, countries, dates, logos, and fine print.
 
 
 
==Questionable entries on Discogs==
 
 
 
In Discogs there are a lot of Island related releases that are perhaps misfiled or contain incorrect data. The [[Island Records questionable entries]] article lists these and contains notes about attempts to resolve the issues with people who have the releases in question.
 
  
There are a lot of them! Much work to be done. You can help!
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[[Category:Island Records]]

Latest revision as of 20:54, 28 May 2013

Islandrecords.gif
This article is part of the Island Records research wiki at offset.skew.org.

Welcome to the Island Records research area for Discogs. If you have information about the Island Records label or its affiliated brands and companies (4th & Broadway, Mango, Antilles, Tuff Gong, etc.), then put what you know here, and hopefully we can sort out the true history of this label and improve the way it is handled in Discogs.

Island information

Information collected so far includes the following:

Perhaps of particular interest to Discogs users are the following:

It should also be helpful to review the definition of a record label.

Other information sources

Here are some useful, external sources of info on Island:

People who might be able to give us more info: > Neil Storey (neilstorey@aol.com)has edited the following< You've listed Rob at Coalition... sadly, Rob died during December 2008...

  • Rob Partridge former Music Week, Record Mirror and Melody Maker staff-writer was appointed head of press during 1975 and later became a Director of the company until CB sold Island. During the latter years, Rob was also a Director of and ran the company's in-house jazz label, Antilles (signing Courtney Pine among others).

Partridge & Storey (later to become Coalition) was founded the day Margaret Thatcher resigned. Our first staff-member was Gaylene Martin (who'd worked with RP at Antilles) and we began with three clients - none of whom did interviews (that seemed a good blue-print for a pr company). Ultimately, the company's roster grew and evolved in Coalition a couple of years later when David May (as a 3rd Director) joined. Neil Storey left in 1996/7 and DM not long after. Coalition grew into one of the most important multi-media companies and nowadays incorporates both be-spoke PR and a highly succesful Management division (run by Tim Vigon).