Down in Jamaica - 40 years of VP Records

"More than a simple greatest-hits collection, this box set commemorating Jamaica's powerhouse independent label offers a well-rounded portrait of the iconic imprint's role in reggae history".

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"An impressive celebration of iconic Jamaican music label ... This attractive box set collects 82 tracks over four CDs, profiling the evolution of Jamaican music during the last 40-something years, bolstered by four 12-inch EPs and four 7-inch singles, as well as a large-format booklet detailing the company's history ... Disc one is pure pleasure with late-roots nuggets by Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and Johnny Clarke, as well as proto-dancehall material from Barrington Levy, Frankie Paul and Don Carlos. Disc two highlights tough 1980s dancehall from Half Pint and Cocoa Tea, plus early 90s consciousness from Garnet Silk. Disc three strides closer to the new millennium with Morgan Heritage, Luciano and Junior Kelly, plus hardcore detours from Elephant Man and Lady Saw, while disc four closes things off with quality new roots from Tarrus Riley and Duane Stephenson, alongside pop reggae from Sean Paul, Maxi Priest and Christopher Martin. The 12-inch reissues are super fine, with Errol Holt's 'Heart in Danger' and Freddie McKay's 'Lonely Man' truly outstanding. And the seven-inches are equally great, with The Congos' Black Ark classic 'Fisherman' appearing with a special dub mix".

"When Jamaican producer Vincent Chin opened his Randy's record shop and studio in North Parade, Jamaica in 1962, few could have imagined the business growing into reggae's most succesful ever imprint. This deluxe, 94-track boxset illustrates the VP label's knack for hit-making, from prime roots cuts by the Congos and Johnny Clarke to dancehall gems from Yellowman and Barrington Levy, while VC's church-bashing 2000 hit "By His Deeds" is the greatest song VP ever put out. A thrilling joyride through reggae's golden era and beyond".