About
Although seemingly inconsequential at the time, July 28th 1967 proved to be a momentous date in the history of Jamaican music. For it was on that day that and from Island Records, one of the UK's leading independent record companies, launched a sub-label that would come to symbolise and forever be associated with the reggae style that was to make Jamaica a musical superpower. The imprint was Trojan. A subsidiary created specifically to showcase the productions of one of Jamaica's most popular and successful producers, Arthur "Duke" Reid, who himself had acquired the moniker from the make of the British-built seven-ton truck he had used to transport his powerful sound system around the island since the fifties. The company took its name from Reid's Trojan sound system and eponymous Jamaican label active at the same time -this has a different design, depicting two bulls [fighting in the label ring] and Tarus (sic) inscribed on the right. Over the initial six months, eleven singles were issued in the UK on the Island off-shoot but, by the start of 1968, the company had pulled the plug, deciding their Treasure Isle imprint would suffice as the main output for Duke Reid's material in the UK. Nonetheless, during its brief lifespan, the Trojan label highlighted some of the finest music to emanate from Jamaica during the height of the Rocksteady era. The Trojan Story might have ended there, with the label little more than a footnote in the annals of Island Records' history, and that it is not is due more to luck than forethought. Some seven months after its demise, Trojan was resurrected, although this time around it was much more than just a minor, if respectable, Jamaican music label. The new company would, over the coming years dominate the Jamaican records market in the UK. Island remained a partner in the company with B & C Records, finally ending its involvement in October 1972. In the 60s and 70s Trojan Records successfully spread Reggae throughout the UK and beyond, licensing Jamaican recordings as well as producing UK-based acts. The original parent company and the Trojan back catalogue were sold to in the 1970s and Allied continued to release records as Trojan Records. The full Trojan Records catalogue was acquired by Sanctuary Records Group Ltd. in 2001. In 2007, Sanctuary was bought by the Universal Music Group who sold it to BMG in 2013. Since 2014, the Trojan Records were distributed in Europe by BMG with PIAS. Reissues on Music On Vinyl from 2017 are via Townsend Music, who also run Trojan Records' webstore. Label Code: LC 1344.
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Sub-labels
Trojan Jamaica
Reggae label founded by and in partnership with BMG. Also appears as: - Trojan Jamaica Records
Rebel Music (14)
Short series of compilations from the archives
The Trojan Story
Series.
Music House (24)
UK series from 1970s.
Essential Artist Collection
Series of compilations from Trojan Records focusing on Jamaican artists.
Tighten Up
1970s series of reggae low price compilations issued by .
Big
UK reggae label and a subsidiary of Trojan Records initiated for productions from Rupie Edwards. Active between 1970 and 1972 and released a total of about 35 releases on 7".
Jackpot (2)
Jackpot Records was founded by Bunny Lee in Jamaica, and became one of the most prolific labels to be distributed in England by Trojan Records with over 100 records issued between 1969 a...
Horse
British reggae label that existed between 1971 and 1978. Released about 160 vinyl 7" singles and 10 vinyl LPs.
Ackee
Early 70s British reggae label. The catalogue numbers ACK 101 to ACK 151 (1969-1972) were release as a subsidiary of Bamboo Records. The catalogue numbers ACK 501 to ACK 546 (1973-1975) were rele...
Dragon (2)
Named after founder Byron Lee in Jamaica, the Dragon label was a subsidiary of Dynamic Sounds. For the company use Dragon Records (15), and Dragon Music (2) for publishing credits. The imp...
Spinning Wheel
Labelcode: LC 04243/LC 4243
Clan Disc
Trojan Records established Clandisc, UK counterpart to Clancy Eccles' Jamaican operation, in 1969, releasing about 30 discs. The Dynamites were Clancy's session band. Clandisc ground to a hal...
Duke Reid
Duke Reid, a subsidiary of Trojan Records, was a UK reggae label active from 1970 until 1972, issuing Duke Reid / Treasure Isle Productions exclusively. Please use Duke Reid Greatest Hits f...
Smash (2)
Early 1970s British reggae label, subsidiary of Trojan.
Downtown (4)
UK A subsidiary label of Trojan Records, set up exclusively for Dandy ([url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Robert+Livingstone+Thompson]Rob...
Grape
UK
Green Door
UK
Duke Records (2)
UK Trojan Records subsidiary active from 1968 until late 1973. Originally initiated to handle output from Arthur "Duke" Reid. Also issued Joe Mansano productions with 'blue' Joe l...
Summit (2)
Reggae label, active from the late '60s to early '70s. Manufactured and distributed in U.K. by from 1970 and 1973.
Contact Label
Trojan Records BMG 5 Merchant Square London W2 1AS, UK Phone: P +44 20 3214 1204 Fax +44 (0) 203 214 –1201 E-mail: help@trojanrecords.com [obsolete, 1988:] Trojan Records 12 Thayer St. London W1M 6AU, UK (071) 459 0147 Fax 01-486 4915