Difference between revisions of "Island Records research"

Revision as of 23:08, 27 May 2006

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.

Incorporation

According to the Companies House WebCHeck database, the sound/video/etc. manufacturer Island Records Limited incorporated on May 8, 1962 and changed its name to Universal-Island Records Limited on March 29, 1999. Its current address is 364-366 Kensington High Street, London W14 8NS. Also, the sound recording publisher Island Music Limited incorporated on May 21, 1963, and changed its name to Universal/Island Music Limited on July 30, 1999. Its current address is 136-144 New Kings Road, London SW6 4FX.

Also according to Companies House, Island Records & Music Holdings Limited, Island Records Manufacturing Limited, and Island Records Finance Limited were previously incorporated in England/Wales. The former two dissolved on June 14, 1991, and the latter dissolved one day earlier. Further information on them is in archives that can only be accessed by calling Companies House at 0870 3333636.

According to the California Secretary of State web site, Island Records, Inc. incorporated in California on June 10, 1974, at 7720 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90046. The company ceased to exist when it merged with another company. Details of the merger are not available on the web site. Also, New York-based Island Records, Inc. incorporated in California on September 17, 1982. It voluntarily surrendered its right to do business in California at some later date. Details of the surrender are not available on the web site. The current contact address is 800 Third Ave, New York NY 10022.

According to the New York Secretary of State Division of Corporations, UFO Music, Inc. (a music publisher with Nico and Sandy Denny hits in its repertoire) incorporated in New York on March 2, 1970. It was renamed to Island Records, Inc. on September 23, 1981, then Island Music, Inc. on August 12, 1982 — the same day a separate Island Records, Inc. was incorporated — and finally Island Entertainment Group, Inc. on August 30, 1985. Both this company and the second Island Records Inc. merged with UMG Recordings, Inc. on January 6, 2000, and its principal business location is currently listed as "c/o PolyGram Tax Dept, 825 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019".

Additional New York "Island" incorporations:

Island Music Company, Inc. - April 27, 1966; inactive
Island Music, Inc. - April 11, 1985; inactive
Island Entertainment Corp. - April 2, 1987 and February 3, 1994; inactive

Spotted on 1980s Canadian releases: Island Records of Canada, Ltd.

Logos and label designs

early-mid 1970s
late 1970s-early 1980s ("day"/A-side)
late 1970s-early 1980s ("night"/B-side)
mid-1980s
mid-1980s
1983
1989-1998(?)
1989-1998(?); smaller, tighter type
2002(?)-present

Antilles logo (date unknown)
4th & B'way

Reproductions of trademarked designs are presented here for illustrative purposes only. Explicit permission has not been granted to use them. We believe that this usage, in the context of this research-oriented wiki, constitutes Fair Use under copyright law. The images remain the property of their respective owners, and are still protected under copyright and trademark law, so please do not reproduce them or use them for any other purpose in any other publication.

Offices

7720 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
3 E 54th St, New York, NY
75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
14 E 4th St, New York, NY — 4th & Broadway
400 Lafayette St, New York, NY

These photos were obtained from various sources via images.google.com. Explicit permission has not been granted to reproduce them here. We believe the temporary usage of them in this wiki constitutes Fair Use under copyright law, but the images do still belong to their photographers. Click on each image to see if there are more details about their sources.

Timeline

1959 - Island Records founded as Jamaican music label (in Jamaica) by Chris Blackwell and Graeme Goodall
1959 - Laurel Aiken's "Boogie In My Bones" tops Jamaican chart for 11 weeks
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", is recorded 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
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[1]
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
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.
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:

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

Some good sources of info on Island specifically:

Island Records history at the Island UK site
independently researched UK record label info (+Google cache) at Gowpen.biz
Some large acquisitions by record companies, 1983 to 1993 - appendix in a report by the Competition Commisson (UK)
Sigerson, Barbis Sail Into Top Island Posts - 1989 Variety article that says Blackwell's departure from PolyGram was acrimonious and talks about his replacements
Chris Blackwell: From LP to DVD, still living the Island life - interview in Dec 1999 issue of Mix magazine (US)
Chris Blackwell: Savvy Svengali - lengthy Island and Chris Blackwell career timeline through 2004
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?
A Major Merger Shakes Up the World of Rock - Dec 1998 New York Times article about the PolyGram-Universal merger.
New Marketing and Promotion Structure at Universal Music Germany - Jan 2003 PR about a pair of mergers within Universal Music Germany's divisions
Music mogul optimistic - Aug 2005 Blackwell interview
Label Mergers: bigger 'n' better 'n' rougher 'n' tougher? - transcript of a 2004 "think tank" session involving Marc Marot (former MD, Island Records)
Misc. discographic details at black-music-collectors.com:
U2 discography with lots of scans
Fairport Convention discography with scans and good details

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, Coalition. Email: rob@coalitiongroup.co.uk

General info

A couple of great diagrams:

industry-level supply chain
record company-level supply chain: File: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 record label article on Wikipedia - mjb

What is a label in Discogs?: 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

Following is how Island labels are accounted for in Discogs (as of 2006-05-27). It has a number of problems, most notably the strange sublabels of Island Records (US), most likely from when "Island Records" was renamed to "Island Records (US)":

Universal Music Group
- Universal Island Records
- Universal Music (UK)
  - Island Records (UK)
    - Island Masters
    - Al's Records
    - Apollo Recordings
    - Blue (Island)
    - Black Swan
    - Blunted
    - Trade 2
    - Sense
    - Mango Records
    - 4th & Broadway
    - Island Jamaica
      - Island Jamaica Jazz
- Universal Music (Germany)
  - Island Mercury Labelgroup
  - Polydor Island Group
- Island Def Jam Music Group
  - Island Records (US)
    - Island Records (Australia)
    - Island Records (Canada)
    - Island Records (France)
    - 4th & Broadway (US)
    - Island Black Music
    - Great Jones
Island Records (Netherlands)
Island Records (Portugal)
Island Records (Italy)
Island Records - does not exist in Discogs
- Island Records (Japan)

In addition, Island-branded records are filed under

Dacapo - I'm trying to push for getting Island-branded Portuguese releases listed under both Dacapo and Island Records (Portugal) - mjb
Festival Records - Kind of an odd duck in that Island branding takes a backseat - mjb
Phonogram GmbH
Phonogram (France)
BMG
- Ariola (Germany)
- BMG Ariola München GmbH (and perhaps other Ariola divisions listed on the BMG page)
PolyGram (and various divisions listed on that page)

We need to figure out better ways of organizing things.

Catalogue number formats

These are trends we have observed, not info from official sources.

US releases via United Artists Records (early 1970s): UAS #### = LP; These have United Artists branding. Island is only mentioned in the fine print.; On Discogs, these are filed under United Artists Records.

US releases via Asylum Records (early 1970s): AS 1#### = 7"; AS 5#### = LP; These have both Asylum and Island branding. Island is only mentioned in the fine print.; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Asylum Records.

US releases via Capitol Records (early 1970s): SW #### = LP, digit formats vary; These have Island branding but mention Capitol in the fine print.; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (US).

UK indie releases pre 1983, including many sublabels (list to follow…): ILPS 7xxx albums all appear to have an affiliation with Ze Records; ILPS #### = LP; ZCI #### = Cassette; WIP #### = 7"; 12WIP #### = 12"; 12XWIP #### = 12" remix; IEP # = 7" EP; there are also codes for more, eg 8-Tracks, the odd Cassettes with one blank side etc; need to confirm…; limited edition codes found on UK 7" and 12" singles include:; DWIP = doublepack; PWIP = picture disc; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (UK) or a sublabel(?).

US releases via Warner Bros. Records (1974-1982): ILPS #### = LP, # is the same as on original UK edition; IS 1### = 12" (not 100% certain these are exclusively US, some are Canada); IS 49### = 7"; ISD #### = 12" (not 100% certain these are exclusively US: see http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?what=R&obid=518239); PRO-A-### = promo 12", 1978-1982; These have only Island branding. Promos may have Warner Bros stickers.; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (US). Some may be misfiled under Island Records (UK).

UK albums 1983-present day (indie, PolyGram and Universal): nb - releases up to the 1989 PolyGram merge only feature the UK code; issues after the merge, or later reissues also include a ### ###-# INT code; nb#2 - for a short period in the mid-90s, to be defined, Island dropped the ILPS / ICT / CID codes; and used only the generic INT code. The ILPS / ICT / CID codes were soon reinstated.; Albums in the ILPS/ICT/CID series continued 9000s, until ILPS 9999 - they then started again at ILPS 8000; CID #### = CDs; CIDD #### = 2xCD; ICM #### = Mid-price Cassette, number as ICT series; ICT #### = Cassettes, same numbering pattern as above; ILPM # to ILPM ### = Island Masters vinyl; ILPM #### = Mid-price LP, number as ILPS series; ILPS #### = LP; ILPSD #### = 2xLP; ILPSQ #### = 4xLP; IMA # = Mini-album (only used during '83 and '84?); IMCD # to IMCD ### = Island Masters CD; IMCD #### = Mid-price CD, number as CID series; IMCDD ### = 2xCD (mid-price?); IRG # = Island Reggae Greats album series; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (UK) or a sublabel, and sometimes also under PolyGram as a second label.

UK singles 1983-present day (indie, PolyGram and Universal): nb - releases up to the 1989 PolyGram merge only feature the UK code; issues after the merge, or later reissues also include a ### ###-# INT code; IS codes possibly started at IS 101; IS ### = 7"; 10IS ### = 10"; 12IS ### = 12"; 12IS ### DJ = 12" promo; 12ISX ### = 12" remix; 12ISX ### DJ = 12" remix promo; 12ISZ ### DJ = 12" promo #3; CID ### = CD Single (nb, three not four digits); CIDV ### = DVD Single; CIS ### = Cassingle; limited edition codes found on UK 7" and 12" singles include:; ISB = box set; ISD = doublepack; ISG = gatefold; ISJB = jukebox edition; ISP = picture disc; ISX = remix / limited edition; limited edition codes found on UK CD Singles include:; CIDX = remix / limited edition CD Single; CIDP = CD picture disc; CIDT = not sure, need to clarify; CIDDJ = promo; UK numbers sometimes appear on non-UK releases, usually alongside other numbers. Most often it is CDs with CID #s. It is not yet clear why these #s are present on non-UK releases.; onelittle - my theory is, after 1989 Island were part of a multinational. All the UK issues I have include EU signifiers such as BIEM/Stemra logos etc. Also, many are labelled "pressed in France" or similar, as Island was now using a multinationals' pressing resources. So, these releases stem from a UK label, but are marked as part of a pan-EU operation. Oggers often submit releases going on where things were pressed, rather than country of issue.; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (UK) or a sublabel, and sometimes also under PolyGram as a second label. Some are misfiled based on the country of manufacture. A French pressing for the UK market might've been filed under Island Records (France) for example. We are trying to migrate these back to Island Records (UK).

Canada releases via WEA Music of Canada (1980-1989): XILP #### = LP; 79 ##### = 12"; 92 ##### = 12" or LP; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (Canada) and WEA Music Of Canada.

Canada releases via MCA Records (Canada) (1981-1989): IS #### = 12"; ISP #### = 12"; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (Canada)

Canada releases via ? (1980s): ISC #### = cassette maxi-single, may have 5 digits; ISL #### = LP, may have 5 digits; ISLC #### = cassette, may have 5 digits, format varies; ISM #### = 12"; ISX #### = LP; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (Canada)

Germany releases via Phonogram (1970s-?): 60## ### = 7"; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (Germany)

Germany releases via Ariola (1970s?-1980s): ### ### = any format; ### ###-### = any format; ## ### = ?; ## ### AT = 7"; ## ### DY = LP, ?; ## ### GT = LP, ?; ## ### XAT = LP, ?; ## ### XCT = 2xLP, ?; ## ### XOT = LP, ?; ## ###-### = ?; We're still pretty fuzzy on these.; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (Germany) or Ariola (Germany).

Netherlands releases via Ariola(?) (1970s-1980s): ## ### ILPS = LP; ## ### XOT = LP; ###.### = any format; As with Germany, still pretty fuzzy. Labels have STEMRA/Made in Holland on them.; On Discogs, these are currently filed under Island Records (Netherlands) or Ariola Benelux or maybe Ariola (Germany).

Netherlands releases via PolyGram (1989-?): ### ###-1 = 12"

Portugal releases via Dacapo (1980s): 10.######.## = 12" or LP; ### ### = LP

US releases via Atco/Atlantic (1982-1989, and 1989-1990 w/PolyGram barcode stickers): DMD ### = promo 12", may have 4 digits; PR ### = promo 7" or promo 12", may have 4 digits; 0-##### = 12" or EP; 7-##### = 7"; 7 9####-1 or 9####-1 = LP; 7 9####-2 or 9####-2 = CD; 7 9####-4 = cassette; These have Island branding but mention Atco or Atlantic in the fine print. Promos may have WEA stickers. Non-promos may have a single-letter suffix on them, like 9####-1-Y, which may indicate some kind of special edition(?)

Australia and New Zealand releases via Festival Records (1980s): The following are filed under Festival Records in Discogs:; C ##### = cassette or cassette single; C ###### = CD; CD ##### = CD; D ## or D ### or D#### = CD single; D ##### = CD or CD single; K #### = 7"; L ##### = LP; MX ##### = 12" special edition; PRX ##/## = promo 12"; PRX #####/# = promo 12"; X ##### = 12"; The following are 1960s-1970s formats and might not include any Island material:; AMX ##,### = 7"; CFR 10-### = 10"; CFR 12-### = LP; SAL-###,### = LP; SAML-###,### = LP; SFL-###,### = LP; SIL-###,### = LP; The following are filed under Festival Records Retail Marketing Ltd. in Discogs:; RMC ##### = cassette; RMD ##### = CD; RML ##### = LP; Occasionally the cat# from the original release will show up on Festival's editions alongside the Festival number.; In general, compared to releases from other regions, the Australia/New Zealand releases seem to be more heavily branded as being primarily on Festival rather than just Island.

US or Canada releases via PolyGram (1989-?): 162-### ###-1 = 12" on Island Red Label or 4th & Broadway; 162-### ###-2 = CD or CD single on Island Red Label or 4th & Broadway; 162-### ###-4 = cassette or cassette single on Island Red Label or 4th & Broadway; 314-### ###-2 = CD or 2xCD; 314-### ###-4 = cassette; 422-### ###-2 = CD or CD single; We suspect that sometimes the prefix may be left off, e.g. ### ###-2; Catalogue #s may overlap between US and Canada editions if tracklists are same.; Sometimes the first hyphen is missing.

Germany releases via PolyGram (1989-?): Still very fuzzy

Germany releases via Island Mercury Labelgroup (2001-2003): ### ###-# = any format

Germany releases via Polydor Island Group (2003-?): 9## ###-# = any format (last digit does not make a difference); 0## ###-# = 12" (only?); #### ###-# = promo

US releases via Universal (2001?-present): B000####-02 = CD or 2xCD; B000####-10 or B000####-50 = CD + DVD (?); B000####-11 = 12" or 2x12"; B000####-21 = 7"; B000####-22 = CD maxi-single (?); B000####-32 = CD single (?); ISLF #####-2 = CD; ISLR #####-1 = 12" or 2x12"; ISLR #####-2 = CD or CD single; The B000#### series looks to be 2003-present.

US and Canada releases via Columbia House: I2 ##### = CD

Packaging artifacts

This section is a dumping ground for information that helps us get a better picture of the relationship between Island and other record companies by looking at aspects of the packaging. Hopefully we can spot trends and deduce facts about Island by transcribing, describing, and examining the catalogue numbers, countries, dates, logos, and fine print. At this point, copyright notices don't seem particularly relevant, but it can be included if you want. We can also hopefully spot trends in the label/logo styles that will help us assess the correct release dates and countries.

1970s

19?? UK LP: ILPS 9116

 Island Records Ltd.
 Manufactured and distributed by EMI Records Ltd.
 (Island logo: "i" outline only)
 (This is a reissue of a 1970 LP)

1974 US LP: ILPS 9224 and ILPS 9251

 Manufactured and distributed by Island Records, Inc.
 7720 Sunset Blvd
 Los Angeles CA 90046
 (Island logo: "i" outline only)
 (ILPS 9224 has a Warner Bros sticker on the front, and blue center labels)

1978 US 12": ISD 8654

 
 There are also blue-label editions which may not be US in origin:
 
 
 It has the orange moon on the A side, yellow moon on the B side. Fine print has non-US spelling of "unauthorised".

1979 NL LP: 200.776

1980-1988

1980 CA LP: XILP 9596

 Manufactured and distributed by WEA Music of Canada Ltd.
 File:R-537389-1128947265.jpeg
 
 It has the orange moon on the A side, yellow moon on the B side.

1980 CA LP: XILP 9616

 Manufactured and distributed by WEA Music of Canada Ltd.
 (blue center labels)

1980 US LP: IL 9630

 Manufactured and distributed by Warner Bros. Records, Inc.
 3300 Warner Blvd
 Burbank CA
 and
 3 E 54th St
 New York NY
 (blue labels)

1980 UK LP: 12 WIP 6598

 Manufactured and distributed by EMI Records Ltd.
 (same album as IL 9630 above)

1981 US promo 12": PRO-A-936

 
 Fine print has non-US spelling of "unauthorised". Is this really US? Was PRO-A-### used anywhere else?

1983 UK 12": 12 IS110

 (P) & © Island Records Ltd.
 (logo) palm/moon silhouette in "i" frame, no circular text ring

198? US LP: 90091-1-B

 Distributed by Atco Records
 division of Atlantic Recording Corporation
 A Warner Communications Company
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 (same album as IL 9630 above; copyrights say 1980)
 (purple labels w/rainbow sky behind skyscraper, green script "Island")

1983 US EP: 0-96974

 Distributed by Atco Records
 division of Atlantic Recording Corporation
 A Warner Communications Company
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 (labels have white-yellow-aqua pseudo-script "Island") 
 (sleeve has hybrid "i" logo) TM owned by Antilles Communications Ltd.
 
 File:Aon-battle-label.jpg

1983 US promo 12"

1983 US EP: 0-96974

 Distributed by Atco Records
 division of Atlantic Recording Corporation
 A Warner Communications Company
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 (labels have white-yellow-aqua pseudo-script "Island") 
 (sleeve has hybrid "i" logo) TM owned by Antilles Communications Ltd.

1983 UK 12": 12 BRW 1

 Licensed from Sleeping Bag Records
 (P) 1983 Original sound recording made by Sleeping Bag Records
 (sleeve) generic 1st generation 4th&Bway spraypaint logo design
 (labels) Main logo: 4th&Bway spraypaint logo. 
 (labels) Secondary logos: Sleeping Bag and Island palm/moon silhouette in "i" frame, with circular text ring "Manufactured And Distributed By Island"

1984 US LP: 90179-1 (7 90179-1)

 Island Records Inc.
 Distributed by Atlantic Recording Corp.
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 A Warner Communications Company
 (original red label w/black and yellow geometric shapes;
 gold-stamp promos have WEA sticker that says "Warner/Elektra/Atlantic Special Project Album - For Instore Play Only")

1984 US 12": 0-96931
1984 US 2xLP: 90232-1-H
1985 US 12": 7 90288-1

 Island Records, Inc.
 Distributed by ATCO Records
 division of Atlantic Recording Corporation
 A Warner Communications Company
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 (custom ZTT labels)
 (Island logo: palm/moon silhouette in "i" frame over "ISLAND") TM owned by Antilles Communications Ltd.

1984 US 12": Garage Records ITG 200-A

 
 Garage Records
 Manufactured and Distributed by Antilles®/Mango® Records, a division of Island Trading Co., 14 E. 4th St., N.Y., N.Y. 10012
 ("Distributed by Island Trading Co" logo is on centre label)

1985(?) Canada LP: ISP 1053

 
 Manufactured by Island Records of Canada Ltd.
 Distributed by MCA Records (Canada)
 (labels) blue w/yellow moon

1985 US 12": 90516-1-Y

 
 Island Visual Arts

1985 US 12": 0-96889

 Island Records, Inc.
 Distributed by ATCO Records
 division of Atlantic Recording Corporation
 A Warner Communications Company
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 (purple labels w/rainbow sky behind skyscraper, green script "Island")
 (Island logo: palm/moon silhouette in "i" frame over "ISLAND") TM owned by Antilles Communications Ltd.

198? US LP: 7 90108-1

 (purple labels w/rainbow sky behind skyscraper, green script "Island")

1985 US CD: 7 90232-2

 
 Manufactured by Island Records
 Island Records, Inc.
 distributed by ATCO Records
 division of Atlantic Recording Corporation
 A Warner Communications Company
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 (Island logo: palm/moon silhouette in "i" frame over "ISLAND") TM owned by Antilles Communications Ltd.
 (disc) made in USA by WEA Manufacturing Inc.
 (disc logo is diagonal blue "Island" script)

1985 US 12": ST-53021

 Manhattan Island Records
 Distributed by Manhattan Records, a division of Capitol Records
 (Island logo: palm/moon silhouette in "i" frame over "ISLAND") TM owned by Antilles Communications Ltd.
 (Manhattan logo) Manhattan is a registered trademark of Capitol Records, Inc.
 Unfortunately, in Discogs we've been filing Manhattan Island under EMI-Manhattan Records.
 I recently rejected user henkieee's submission of this LP (which I own)
 for trying to file it under Manhattan Island Records. Sigh.

1985 US 12": PR 794

 Distributed by Atlantic Recording Corp.
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 A Warner Communications Company
 (blue script "Island" on generic sleeve; black script on center label (it's a white label promo))

1985 US 12": 0-96859

 Island Records, Inc.
 Distributed by Atlantic Recording Corp.
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 A Warner Communications Company
 (reissue single with plain yellow label; silhouette/"i" frame logo)

1985 UK CD: CID 126 (90288-2)

 Manufactured by Island Record. © + (p) ZTT
 (logo) palm/moon silhouette in "i" frame, with circular text ring "Manufactured And Distributed By Island"

1985 DE 7": 107 334

1985 US 12": 0-96835
1986 US 12": 0-96839
1986 US 12": 0-98604

 Island Records, Inc.
 Distributed by Atco Records
 division of Atlantic Recording Corporation
 A Warner Communications Company
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 (black label w/blue ring)
 (Island logo is palm/moon silhouette in "i" frame over "ISLAND") TM owned by Island Entertainment Group, Inc.

1986 CA 12": 92 05370

198? US LP: 7 90033-1

 Island Records, Inc.
 Distributed by Atlantic Recording Corp.
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 A Warner Communications Company
 (black label w/blue ring)
 Obviously a reissue, but actual year

198? US LP: A1 90067

 Island Records, Inc.
 Distributed by Atlantic Recording Corp.
 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY NY 10019
 A Warner Communications Company
 (black label w/blue ring)
 This is a Columbia House edition, as indicated by the "CRC" and odd catalogue number.

1988 UK 12": 12 BRW 114

 (P) 1988 Island Records Inc.
 (sleeve) In plain black sleeve, with title sticker featuring: 
 4th & Broadway circular logo on LHS
 circular palm-tree-in-an-"i" Island logo on RHS
 "pre-fab" (pre release promo)
 (labels) A-side: 4th & Broadway circular logo
 (labels) B-side: circular palm-tree-in-an-"i" Island logo

1988 DE CD: 259 138 / CID 9879

1989

1989 UK CD5": BRCD 136

 (P) 1989 Island Records Ltd.
 no further legal credits, no INT cat#
 4th & Broadway circular logo given greater prominence on sleeve and disc
 circular palm-tree-in-an-"i" Island logos also both on sleeve and disc

1989 US CD: 7 91318-2 and 7 90179-2

 Island Records, Inc.
 14 E 4th St., NY, NY 10012
 (Island logo) TM owned by Island Entertainment Group, Inc.
 (disc) made in USA by WEA Manufacturing Inc.
 (disc logo is black palm silhouette on yellow moon over "ISLAND")

1989 DE CD: 260 350

 (P) 1989 Island Records Ltd. © 1989 Island Records Ltd.
 Distributed by BMG Records. Vertrieb durch BMG Ariola. 
 LC0407
 Printed in Germany by TOPAC
 (logo) 4th & Broadway circular logo given greater prominence on sleeve and disc
 (logo) circular palm-tree-in-an-"i" Island logos also both on sleeve and disc
 (spine) 4th & Broadway circular logo over "rainbow"

1990s

1990 UK Cassingle: SIGH 4-3 / INT. 875789-4

 (P) & © 1990 Owned by Island Records Ltd.
 "An idea available through Sense (of Island) to be continued"
 (Sense logo, which is a derivative of the black palm silhouette on white moon)

1990 UK 12": 12 BRW 196 / 878 223-1

(P) 1990 Island Records Inc. Fourth And Broadway is a division of Island Records
 (sleeve logo) 4th&Bway rectangular box logo. No Island logo
 (label logos) Island black palm silhouette on moon and 4+B' Circular logos. Generic orange labels

1990 UK CD: IMCD 88 / 842 546-2

 (P) 1990 This compilation owned by Island Records Ltd.
 (disc) made in France by PMDC
 (logo) Island Masters logo given prominence)  
 (secondary logo is black palm silhouette on white moon over "ISLAND")
 (spine) text over "rainbow" reads ISLAND

1990 US CD: CCD 452 / 162-440 452-2

 4th & B'way™, an Island Records, Inc. company
 400 Lafayette St., NY, NY 10003
 (mini logo is black palm silhouette on white moon)

1991 DE 12": 614 258

 
 pick a label, any label
 Axiom appears to be primary brand
 BMG Ariola is manufacturer
 Mango, 4th & B'way, Island also associated somehow

1991 (maybe 1992) US CD: 422-866 189-2

 Island Records, Inc.
 14 E 4th St., NY, NY 10012
 (disc) made in USA by WEA Manufacturing Inc.
 (logo is black palm silhouette on white moon over "ISLAND")

1992 US 12": 422-866 977-1

 Island Records, Inc.
 400 Lafayette St., NY, NY 10003
 (logo is black palm silhouette on white moon over "ISLAND")

1993 UK/EU CD: IMCD 159 / 518 451-2

 Island Records Ltd.
 (logo is black palm silhouette on white moon over "ISLAND")
 nb: release is not an Island Masters issue. IMCD is used here as it was a mid-price CD, but not a reissue

1992 US CD: 422-866 533-2

 Island Records, Inc.
 400 Lafayette St., NY, NY 10003
 (disc) made in USA by WEA Manufacturing Inc.
 (logo is black palm silhouette on white moon over "ISLAND")

1993 US CD: 162-440 590-2

 4th & B'way™, an Island Records, Inc. company
 400 Lafayette St., NY, NY 10003
 (mini logo is white palm silhouette on black moon)

1995 US CD: 162-444 073-2

 QUANGO
 Manufactured and marketed by Island Records, Inc.
 825 Eighth Ave., NY, NY 10019
 Distributed by I.L.S.
 (logo is black palm silhouette on white moon over "ISLAND")

1996 US CD: 162-531 046-2

 Axiom™
 Manufactured and marketed by Island Records, Inc., a PolyGram Company
 825 Eighth Ave., NY, NY 10019
 Distributed by I.L.S.
 (logo is black palm silhouette on white moon over "ISLAND")

2000s

2002 US CD

 The Island Def Jam Music Group, a Universal Music company.
 Worldwide Plaza, 825 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019

2002 UK CD: ### ###-2

 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings Inc.

2002 EU CD: ### ###-2

 The Island Def Jam Music Group, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

2002 DE CD

 Island Mercury, a division of Universal Music GmbH
 Strafauer Alice 1, 10245 Berlin

2003 UK 12" Promo: 12SUGAX8

 (P) & © 2003 Universal Island Records Ltd. A Universal Music company.
 LC01846 
 www.islandrecords.co.uk
 (logo) Universal globe logo
 (logo) Island Music Group logo

2006 UK (EU?) CD: CID 922 / 987 753 3

 (P) Universal Island Records Ltd. A Universal Music Company. LC00407.  www.islandrecords.co.uk
 (logo) primary: palm silhouette on moon over "ISLAND"
 (logo) secondary: black palm silhouette in a lower-case 'i' "Island Records Group"

Questionable entries on Discogs

("approx 54 sodding percent of 'em" quipped onelittle, flicking ash on his keyboard in rage)

See Island Records questionable entries.

@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 * 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
 * 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.