Down In Jamaica: 40 Years Of VP Records

Available October 25, 2019, Down In Jamaica: 40 Years of VP Records is a 94-track, multi-format limited edition (2,000 run) box set with a 24-page booklet and art cards detailing the hits, the rarities, and the history of the world's largest reggae label.

Featuring 101 different artists, Down In Jamaica tells the story in detail through a chronological survey of the key records that helped define the company, from early singles on obscure sublabels (Roots From The Yard, Jah Guidance, and Love) to the well-known VP Records brand that brought Beenie Man, Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder, and others into the international mainstream.

Curated by DJ, writer, and VP Records Director of Catalog Development Carter Van Pelt, the set contains four 7-inch singles, four 12-inch singles, and four CDs, the first configuration of its kind for a box set package. The CDs include the chronology of hit songs, and the vinyl pieces bring back rare titles long out of print.

The singles format was the dominant vehicle for Jamaican music from its inception, and the collection tells the company's story almost entirely from singles, taking its name from Red Fox and Naturalee's 1989 hit.

"The goal is to tell the story of a continually owned and operated family business at the heart of the global growth of reggae, dancehall, and Caribbean music" said Van Pelt. "As a distributor and manufacturer, the company has brought some of reggae and dancehall's most recognizable hits to the public over 40 years. This set ties that story together with some lost treasures in the form of vinyl rarities."

Founded by Vincent and Patricia Chin as the US distribution arm of Randy's Records from Kingston, Jamaica, Randy's had been at the center of the Jamaican music industry since its inception. The VP chapter began in New York as reggae was on the verge of a major transition from Bob Marley's era to the dancehall era of Yellowman, Chaka Demus, Shabba Ranks, Ninja Man, Beenie Man, and Bounty Killer.

Highlights from the set include Sean Paul & Sasha's "I'm Still In Love With You," Wayne Wonder's "No Letting Go," Beenie Man's "Who Am I" and classics from Yellowman, Barrington Levy, Gregory Isaacs, and Dennis Brown and dozens of others. The vinyl selections include rare sides by Echo Minott, Freddie McKay, Junior Reid, Tenor Saw, and others, most available for the first time since their original pressings.

"We're excited about the box set and the re-telling of our story," said Randy Chin, President of VP Records, "It's a great way to complete our 40th anniversary celebrations."

Box Contents -
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Down In Jamaica: 40 Years of VP Records

CD 1

The Heptones “Party Time”

Gregory Isaacs “Slave Master"

Dennis Brown “Children Of Israel”

Johnny Clarke “Roots Natty Congo”

Ranking Joe [with Barrington Levy] “River Jordan”

Johnny Osbourne “Ice Cream Love”

Wailing Souls “Fire House Rock”

Don Carlos “Mr. Sun”

Michael Prophet “Gun Man”

Frankie Paul “Kushumpeng”

Barrington Levy “Prison Oval Rock”

Tony Tuff “Come Fe Mash It”

Michigan & Smiley “Diseases”

Yellowman “Zungguzungguguzungguzeng”

Echo Minott “Lazy Body”

Leroy Gibbons “This Magic Moment”

J.C. Lodge “Telephone Love”

Eccleton Jarrett “Turn On The Heat”

Krystal & Shabba Ranks “Twice My Age”

Foxy Brown “Baby Can I Hold You Tonight”

Freddie McGregor “Stop Loving You”

CD 2

Ini Kamoze “Hot Stepper”

Chaka Demus “Original Kuff”

Conroy Smith “Dangerous”

Red Fox & Naturalee “Down In Jamaica”

Reggie Stepper “Drum Pan Sound”

Ninja Man “Murder Dem”

Admiral Tibet, Shabba Ranks, Ninja Man “Serious Time”

Singing Sweet “When I See You Smile”

Cutty Ranks “A Who Seh Me Dun”

Colin Roach & Galaxy P, “Miss Goodie Goodie”

Jigsy King “Gi Mi Di Weed”

Half Pint “I Am Not A Substitute Lover”

Cocoa Tea “Good Life”

Garnet Silk “Lord Watch Over Our Shoulders”

Richie Stephens “Trying To Get To You”

Mikey Spice “Born Again”

Glen Washington “Kindness For Weakness”

Buju Banton “Destiny”

Tanto Metro & Devonte “Everyone Falls In Love”

Spragga Benz “She Nuh Ready Yet”

Beenie Man “Who Am I”

CD 3

Sanchez “Never Dis The Man”

Singing Melody “Want You Back”

Terry Linen “Your Love Is My Love”

Capleton “Jah Jah City”

VC “By His Deeds”

Morgan Heritage “Down By The River”

George Nooks “God Is Standing By”

Beres Hammond “Rock Away”

Junior Kelly “Love So Nice”

Wayne Wonder “No Letting Go”

Bounty Killer feat. Wayne Marshall “Sufferah”

Elephant Man “Pon De River Pon De Bank”

Lady Saw, “I’ve Got Your Man”

Sean Paul & Sasha “I’m Still In Love With You”

Sizzla “Just One Of Those Days”

I Wayne “Living In Love”

Luciano “Give Praise”

Warrior King “Can’t Get Me Down”

Jah Cure “Longing For”

T.O.K. “Footprints”

CD 4

Tarrus Riley “She’s Royal”

Tanya Stephens “It’s A Pity”

Richie Spice “Youth Dem Cold”

Turbulence “Notorious”

Shaggy “Church Heathen”

Duane Stephenson “August Town"

Romain Virgo “Mi Caan Sleep”

Busy Signal “One More Night”

Etana & Alborosie “Blessing”

Queen Ifrica “Lioness On The Rise”

Mavado “On The Rock”

Gyptian “Hold You"

Maxi Priest “Easy To Love”

Raging Fyah “Dash Wata”

Christopher Martin “I’m A Big Deal”

Spice “So Mi Like It”

Bunji Garlin “Big Bad Soca”

Shenseea featuring Vybz Kartel “Loodi”

Estelle featuring Tarrus Riley “Love Like Ours”

Jah9 featuring Chronixx “Hardcore (Remix)”

7-inch Singles

The Congos “Fisher Man”

Freddie McKay “La La By Woman"

Linval Thompson “Don’t Trouble Trouble”

Romain Virgo feat. Agent Sacso “Fade Away”

12-inch Singles

I Roy feat. Errol Dunkley “Created By The Father” b/w Flabba Holt, “My Eye Adore You”

Freddie McKay “Fire Is Burning” b/w “Lonely Man”

Echo Minott, “Girls Mad Over Me” b/w “Saddest Day”

Junior Reid, “What Do You Know” b/w Tenor Saw “Lots Of Sign”

Format: 4x 7" singles, 4x CD, 4x Vinyl LP,  Ltd. Edition Box Set
Label: VP Records
Date Of Release: 25th October 2019