My Island Collection

Introduction

Frank Zappa's observations state how the fat old blokes with cigars gave everyone a chance, but when the hip young dudes got their feet under the table it all became about profit and what would sell.

Two labels that stood out for me were Richard Branson's Virgin (when the music was important rather than the money) and Chris Blackwell's Island which is the subject of this article and playlist starting with Jamaican-based reggae but branching out into folk and rock resulting in some seminal albums and songs.

Every song in this playlist is in my collection on an Island label, whether compilation, album or single.

The first sampler I got was Island's "Nice Enough To Eat" and when I started rebuilding my vinyl collection that was a must-have, and has some great music on it.

I have a few vinyl samplers on various labels, and Island had a few good ones as well and maybe they will form the basis of some future playlists.

So here are a few Island gems in my opinion:

Millie Small - "My Boy Lollipop"

This was my first introduction to Island Records, it was a favourite of my mum's and it is a great record. Island became home to many reggae acts, the most notable being Bob Marley.

Mott The Hoople - "At The Crossroads"

When I put "Nice Enough To Eat" on the player, the first song was Fairport Convention's "Cajun Woman" but this song really hit me with its gorgeous beauty despite being a break-up song.

Blodwyn Pig - "Sing Me A Song That I Know"

Formed by Mick Abrahams when he left Jethro Tull, and the brass intro to this still drags me into it in the nicest possible way,

Nick Drake - "Time Has Told Me"

When I first heard this, it didn't bother me too much but it started to grow one me until eventually I realised how beautiful it was.

Sadly Nick's records didn't sell despite Island's faith in him, and he committed suicide in 1974.

Today he is a household name and his records have sold millions, sad that he didn't get the recognition he deserved when he was still with us.

Fairport Convention - "Who Knows Where The Time Goes"

This beautiful Sandy Denny song is the one I have chosen to represent Fairport, originators of folk-rock in the UK. The couple on the video are Sandy's parents standing outside their house and the picture was used as the cover for the band's "Unhalfbricking" album.

King Crimson - "21st Century Schizoid Man (Including "Mirrors")"

From the band's debut album, this is complex and aggressive and goes on for seven minutes the epitome of true progressive rock. This is not music for beginners, but I thought it sounded unbelievable and still does.

Heavy Jelly - "I Keep Singing That Same Old Song"

Heavy Jelly was a pseudonymous incarnation of Skip Bifferty and the story is so complex that it's best to drop into this Wikipedia article to find out:

The song is a relentless eight minutes and almost a continuation of the King Crimson song.

Traffic - "Paper Sun"

A little gentler but with psychedelic overtones. Traffic covered many genres including folk, jazz and rock and did manage several hit singles.

Emerson, Lake and Palmer - "Howdown"

Greg Lake was the vocalist with King Crimson, but this is Keith Emerson taking on Aaron Copland's "Hoedown", so it's an instrumental, but still rather excellent.

Conclusion

So that is nine songs from the early Island label. I hope you have found something to enjoy. and thank you so much for reading.