The history and the discography of the Island Records label can conveniently be divided into three phases:
The Jamaican Years, covering the label's releases from 1959 to 1966
The New Ground Years, covering 1967 to approximately 1980.
The Consolidation Years, covering 1980 onwards. In 1989, Chris Blackwell sold Island Records to PolyGram, resulting in a remarketing of the Island back catalogue on compact disc under the Island Masters brand.
Jamaican releases (1959–1962)
Blackwell released 28 singles and three LPs in this period.
Jamaican singles
The very first records have been issued on 7" sides in Jamaica on a label called R&B
After the company's start in London in 1962 Island Records diversified already in 1963 into various labels: Black Swan, Island, Sue and Jump Up.
Singles of the 1960s
The first Island "white and red" label was used mainly for Jamaican productions released in the United Kingdom. Catalogue numbers started at WI-001. Many of these records had been released previously in Jamaica and other territories on small local labels. For a variety of reasons details of the artists and songs printed on the labels do not always match what is actually to be found in the grooves of the record! The main Island label was soon joined by another three labels: Sue for black American music with catalogue numbers starting at WI-300, Black Swan for more Jamaican music starting with WI-400, and Jump Up, for Calypso and Trinidadian music, starting with 500, but using another prefix (JU). The Aladdin label was started in about 1965 and used numbers starting with 600, using the WI prefix.
Island (white and red label)
Island singles were released with prefix WI and numbers starting with 001. The Island label itself was white with red lettering and logotypes – for the first 100 releases it had a round "Flaming sun" logo on a white label, then and for reprints of the early issues a red strip across the centre of the label like a "bow tie". The labels have the Rutland Gate Mews address on all first pressings up until about number 14; this was followed by the London England address which goes up to at least # 47, then came Cambridge Road.
(N.B. This discography has been expanded and corrected using the published discography in "Record Collector" magazine 201, published May 1996. Details can also be checked online, at the "45cat" database,[1] which contains many label scans. As far as possible, the listings below reflect what is actually written on the record label. Known variations or labelling errors are given in brackets after the entry.)
WI-001 – Lord Creator: "Independent Jamaica" (later expanded to "Independent Jamaica Calypso" and later still corrected to "Independent Jamaica Calypso") b/w "Remember", 14/6/1962[1] (B-side actually titled "Remember Your Mother & Father";[2] a version released to celebrate the 1st Anniversary of Jamaican independence had the full title on the label.)[1]
WI-181 – Desmond Dekkar (sic.): "Get Up Edina" (actually with The Four Aces)[2] b/w Patsy & Desmond: "Be Mine Forever" (B-side actually plays "Down Down Down" by Clive & Naomi),[2] 1965;
WI 183 – Eric Morris: Love Can Make A Mansion, 1965;
WI 184 – Shenley Duffus: You are mine / Upcoming Willows: Red China
WI 186 – Shenley Duffas: Rukumbine / One Morning, 1965
WI 187 – Lloyd Briscoe: Jonah (The Master) / Mr. Cleveland
WI 188 – The Wailers: "It Hurts To Be Alone" / "Mr. Talkative", 1965
WI 190 – Wilfred And Millicent: The Vow / I'll Never Believe In You
WI-271 – Patsy Cole: "Disappointed Bride" c/w Earl Bostic: "Honeymoon Night", 1966 ("Patsy Cole" was a pseudonym for Genya Ravan)[1][5]
WI 273 – Roy C: "Shotgun Wedding" b/w "I'm Gonna Make It" OR "High School Dropout", 1966 (Record was pressed with two different b-sides;[2] UK #11, April 1966)[4]
WI 275 – Leapers Creepers Sleepers: "Precious Words"
WI 277 – Derrick Morgan: "It's Alright" / "I Need Someone", 1966
WI 278 – Kim Fowley: "The Trip"
WI 279 – The Circles: "Take Your Time"
WI 280 – Wynder K. Frog: "Turn On Your Lovelight"
WI 281 – The Gaylads: Goodbye daddy / Your eyes, 1966
WI 284 – The Clarendonians: Try Me One More Time / You can't keep me down (white+ red label), 1966
WI 285 – King Sparrow: Beggars Have No Choice / Marcia Griffith: Funny, 1965
WI 286 – Robert Parker: "Barefootin'" b/w "Let's Go Baby", 1966 (UK #24, August 1966)[4]
WI 291 – The Gaylads: You Never Leave Him / Message To My Girl
WI 295 – Desmond Baker And The Clarendonians: Rude Boy – Gonna Jail / The Sharks: Don't Fool Me, 1966
WI 297 – Roy Richards: Green Collie / Marcia Griffith: "You're No Good"
WI 298 – King Perry: Rub And Squeeze / Soul Brothers: Here Comes The Minx
WI 299 – Roy Richards: "Western Standard Time" b/w The Eagles: "What A Agony"
Here are some missing numbers: (from Pete Smith, Planet Records)
178 FOUR ACES – RIVERBANK COBBERLEY
179 FOUR ACES – SWING LOW
182 UPCOMING WILLOWS – JONES TOWN SPECIAL
185 ERIC MORRIS – MANY LONG YEARS
SUDDENLY
193 DERRICK & NAOMI – I WANT A LOVER
195 DON DRUMMOND – TREASURE ISLAND
RIOTS – YOU DON'T KNOW
197 RIOTS – I'M IN LOVE
198 LAUREL AITKEN – BOOGIE IN MY BONES
LITTLE SHEILA
203 JACKIE OPEL – COME BACK WHERE YOU BELONG (WIPE THOSE TEARS)
DON'T TAKE AWAY MY LOVE
204 DON DRUMMOND – COOLIE BOY
205 DELROY WILSON – PICK UP THE PIECES
OPPRESSION
207 SKATALITES – BALL O' FIRE
LINVAL SPENCER – CAN'T GO ON
208 DON DRUMMOND – MAN IN THE STREET
209 JACKIE OPEL – GO WHEY
211 PETER TOUCH & THE WALERS – HOOT NANNY HOOT
DO YOU REMEMBER
212 THE WAILERS – HOOLIGANS
MAGA DOG
216 THE WAILERS – DON'T EVER LEAVE ME
DONNA
219 PHILIP JAMES – WIDE AWAKE IN A DREAM
220 KEN LAZARUS – FUNNY
BYRON LEE & THE DRAGONAIRES – WALK LIKE A DRAGON
221 SONNY BURKE – GRANDPA
KEITH PATTERSON – DEEP IN MY HEART
222 BLUES BUSTERS – WINGS OF A DOVE
BYRON LEE – DAN IS THE MAN
225 DERRICK MORGAN – STARVATION
I AM A BLACKHEAD AGAIN
226 SKATALITES – DICK TRACY
RITA & THE SOULETTES – ONE MORE CHANCE
227 JACKIE OPEL – OLD ROCKING CHAIR
SKATALITES – SKA IN VIENNA WOODS
228 BUNNY & RITA – BLESS YOU
SKATALITES – BEARDMAN SKA
229 BABA BROOKS – GUNS FEVER
DOTTY & BONNIE – DON'T DO IT
230 HORTENSE & ALTON – DON'T GAMBLE WITH LOVE
ALTON ELLIS & THE FLAMES – SOMETHING YOU'VE GOT
233 BABA BROOKS – INDEPENDENCE SKA
STRANGER & CLAUDETTE – SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
241 BABA BROOKS – TEENAGE SKA
ALTON ELLIS – YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME
242 DON DRUMMOND – UNIVERSITY GOES SKA
DERRICK & NAOMI – PAIN IN MY HEART
243 THEOPHILUS BECKFORD – GRUDGEFUL PEOPLE
YOU ARE THE ONE GIRL
245 DERRICK HARRIOTT – MAMA DIDN'T LIE
TOGETHER
247 THE RIOTS – YEAH YEAH
BABA BROOKS – VIRGINIA SKA
248 THEOPHILUS BECKFORD – BAJAN GIRL
WHAT A WOE
249 TWO KINGS – HIT YOU LET YOU FEEL IT
HONEY I LOVE YOU
252 LAUREL AITKEN – HOW CAN I FORGET YOU
OWEN GRAY – I'M GOING BACK
254 THE WAILERS – WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT
WHERE WILL I FIND
255 JACKIE EDWARDS – WHITE CHRISTMAS
MY LOVE AND I
258 OWEN GRAY & THE SOUND SYSTEM – YOU DON'T KNOW LIKE I KNOW
TAKE ME SERIOUS
259 ROLANDO ALPHONSO – JAMES BOND
LEE PERRY – JUST KEEP IT UP
260 THE WAILERS – JUMBIE JAMBORIE
SKATALITES – INDEPENDENT ANNIVERSARY SKA
261 DAVID ISAACS – SEE THAT MAN
I'D RATHER BE LONELY
263 AVALONS – EVERYDAY
I LOVE YOU
264 JACKIE OPEL – A LOVE TO SHARE
ROLAND ALPHONSO – DEVOTED TO YOU
266 LORD BRYNNER & THE SHEIKS – CONGO WAR
TEACH ME TO SKA
267 OWEN GRAY – PARADISE
BYE BYE LOVE
270 JACKIE EDWARDS – COME ON HOME
SOMETIMES
274 JACKIE EDWARDS – L O V E
WHAT'S YOUR NAME
282 SOUL BROTHERS – GREEN MOON
EGAL OK
283 FITSY & FREDDY – WHY DID YOU DO IT
ROY RICHARDS – DOUBLE TROUBLE
287 JACKIE EDWARDS – THINK TWICE
288 DERRICK MORGAN – I FOUND A QUEEN
DERRICK & PATSY – IT'S TRUE MY DARLING
289 DERRICK & PATSY – DON'T YOU WORRY
DERRICK MORGAN – AMALETIA
292 KING PERRY – DOCTOR DICK
SOUL BROTHERS – MAGIC STAR
293 JACKIE MITTOO – KILLER DILLER
PATRICK HYLTON – OH LADY
294 SKATALITES – SKA BOSTELLO
DON DRUMMOND – LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOW
296 SOUL BROTHERS – SOUND ONE
THE MARTINE – GRANDFATHERS CLOCK
Sue
The Sue label, initiated in 1963, was a subsidiary to release black US-American music. The releases followed the catalogue numbers of Island's singles starting at number 300. The first 17 releases of the British Sue label were in fact related to Henry 'Juggy' Murray's New York based Sue label. Some earlier issues from the black-owned independent American label established in 1957 were released on the London American label. The original Island agreement with the American company ended in disagreement and all (U.S.) Sue records were deleted from their catalogue in July 1965, and American Sue issues returned to the London American label. Island records retained the use of the name Sue until the final release in 1968.
The Black Swan label was one of Island's first subsidiaries with releases from 1963 to 1965. With a black and white label the catalogue covered the WI series numbers from 401 to 471. From 1970 to 1971 Trojan/B&C Records used the label for records within a BW series. Island reactivated the label in 1976/1977 within the WIP series and with a small series of 12" singles in a BS series.
WI 401 – Laurel Aitken: "Lion Of Judah" b/w "Remember My Darling" (b-side with Cynthia Richards), 1963
WI 402 – Derrick Morgan: "Street Girl" b/w "Edmarine", 1963
WI 403 – Jimmy Cliff: "The Man" b/w "You Are Never Too Old", 1963
WI 404 – Wilfred Jackie Edwards: "Why Make Believe" b/w "Do You Want Me Again", 1963 (b-side with Velvetts)
WI 405 – Delroy Wilson: "Spit In The Sky" b/w "Voodoo Man", 1963
WI 467 – Marvin And Johnny: Cherry Pie / Ain't That Right, 1965
WI 468 – Joe & Ann: Gee Baby / Wherever You May Be, 1965
WI 469 – Sonny Burke: Glad / Jeanie
WI 470 – Sonny Burke: Dance With Me / My Girl Can't Cook
WI 471 – Sonny Burke: Wicked People / God In Heaven Knows
Jump Up
Jump Up started in 1963 and released singles mainly in calypso style until ca. 1967. Around 1970 Trojan/B&C continued to release with the label, continuing with both prefix and catalogue numbers. (Tapir's)
JU 501 – Mighty Dougla: Laziest Man / Dance Me Lover
JU 502 – Lord Blakie: Maria / Snakes In The Square
JU 503 – Lord Creator With The Byron Lee Orchestra: Jamaica Jump Up / Laziest Man, 1963
JU 504 – Lord Kitchener: Love In The Cemetery / Jamaican Woman, 1962
JU 505 – Gene Lawrence: Longest Day Meringie / Bachelor Boy
JU 506 – Lord Kitchener: Road / Neighbour, 1967
JU 507 – Mighty Sparrow: Kennedy & Khruschev / The Slave (National Record Co, Trinidad, 1962)
JU 508 – Mighty Dougla: Teacher Teacher / Split Me In Two
JU 509 – Mighty Dougla: Ugliness / My Wicked Boy Child
JU 510 – Gene Lawrence: Longest Day Meringue / Bachelor Boy
JU 511 – Lord Kitchener: Dr. Kitch / Come Back Home Meh Boy (Telco Records, Trinidad, 1963)
JU 512 – Jackie Opel: TV In Jamaica / Worrells Captaincy (Beverleys Jamaica, 1963)
JU 513 – Mighty Dougla: You Wasting Your Time / The Smart Barbadian (Telco Records, Trinidad)
JU 515 – Lord Christo: The Dumb Boy And The Parrot / The General Hospital, 1967
JU 516 – Nap Hepburn: Political Girl / The River
JU 517 – Lord Cristo: Election War Zone / Bad Luck Man, 1967
JU 518 – King Fighter: People Will Talk / Same Thing, 1965
JU 519 – Joey Lewis: Nut Vendor / Marriage Recipe
JU 520 – Ramon Otano: Mambo Trinidad / Fiesta En La Joya
JU 521 – Joey Lewis Band: Oye Mi Son / Yo-No-Se
JU 522 – Lord Blakie: Chinese Restaurant (Curry Shrimp & Rice) / What They Get, They Will Take
JU 523 – Mighty Sparrow: Bull Pistle Gang / Village Ram
JU 524 – Lord Creator: Big Bamboo / Marjorie & Harry
JU 525 – Young Growler: Bulldozer / Clarabel
JU 526 – Young Growler: Pressure In Britain / Pretentious Woman
JU 527 – Lord Nelson: Party For Santa Claus / Stella
JU 528 – Young Growler: Lucy Swimming Pool / Topless Dress
JU 529 – Young Growler: Pussy Galore / Sledgehammer
JU 530 – Lord Kitchener: Kitch You So Sweet / Ain't That Fun, 1967
JU 531 – Baldhead Growler: The Sausage / Bingo Woman, 1967
Aladdin
Island's "first serious stab at setting up a pukka pop label".[6] Releases were numbered in a WI-6xx series, but the matrix number of Jackie Edwards' "He'll Have To Go" was WI 2000, suggesting that it might have been intended to use that catalogue number series instead.
WI-601 – Jackie Edwards: "He'll Have To Go" b/w "Gotta Learn To Love Again", 1965
WI-602 – unissued
WI-603 – Owen Gray: "Gonna Work Out Fine" b/w "Dolly Baby", 1965
WI-604 – Theo Johnson: "Masters Of War" b/w "Water Is Wide", 1965
WI-605 – Jackie Edwards: "Hush" b/w "I Am In Love With You No More", 1965
WI-606 – Dinah Lee: "I'll Forgive You Then Forget You" b/w "Nitty Gritty", 1965
WI-607 – Owen Gray: "Linda Lu" b/w "Can I Get A Witness", 1965
WI-608 – Dinah Lee: "I Can't Believe What You Say" b/w "Pushin' A Good Thing Too Far", 1965
WI-609 – Prince & Princess: "Ready Steady Go" b/w "Take Me Serious", 1965
WI-610 – unissued
WI-611 – Jackie Edwards: "The Same One" b/w "I Don't Know", 1965
WI-612 – Lord Kitchener: "Dr Kitch" b/w "Come Back Home Meh Boy", 1965 (reissue)
Brit
A short-lived subsidiary whose releases came out in the spring of 1965. The handful of releases were numbered in the WI-1000 series.
WI-1001 – Bobby Jameson: "Rum-Pum" b/w "I Want To Know Why", 1965
WI-1002 – Millie: "My Street" b/w "Mixed Up, Fickle, Moody, Self-Centred, Spoiled Kind Of Boy", 1965
WI-1003 – The Cannon Brothers: "Turn Your Eyes To Me" b/w "Don't Stop Now", 1965
WI-1004 – The Anglos: "Incense" b/w "You're Fooling Me", 1965 (A-side allegedly features Stevie Winwood. Disc was later reissued – see WIP-6061)
WI-1005 – Dinah Lee: "I Can't Believe What You Say" b/w "Pushing A Good Thing Too Far" (unissued on Brit label – later issued on Aladdin, see WI-608)
Island (WI 3000 series)
The catalogue numbers 3000 ff. had been chosen after the first series ended at number 299 and 300 ff. had been used for the Sue label (see above).
WI 3000 – Roy Richards: "South Viet Nam" b/w "You Must Be Sorry I(Vocal)", 1966
WI 3001 – The Wailers: "He Who Feels It Knows It" b/w "Sunday Morning", 1966
WI-3002 – The Gaylads: "Stop Making Love" b/w "They Call Her Dawn", 1966
WI 3003 – The V.I.P.'s: "I Wanna Be Free" b/w "Don't Let It Go", 1966
WI 3004 – unissued
WI 3005 – The Claredonians: "I'll Never Change" b/w "Rules Of Life", 1966
WI 3006 – Jackie Edwards: "I Feel So Bad" b/w "I Don't Want To Be Made A Fool Of", 1966
WI 4028 – Barbara Lynn: Letter To Mommy And Daddy, Jan. 1967
WI 4038 – Barbara Lynn: You'll Lose A Good Thing, April 1967
Island WIP series
This series commenced in January 1967 and initially ran alongside the existing WI 3000 series (see above). It coincided with the introduction of a new pink label design (chosen, according to label founder and owner Chris Blackwell, "because it created a clear break from our Jamaican years") and the "P" in WIP is variously said to stand for "Pink" or "Progressive",[7] reflecting the fact that this new series was geared towards the new generation of rock/pop acts that Island had begun to accumulate from early 1967 onwards, as well as artists from its traditional roster who were being oriented towards the rock/pop audience, such as Jackie Edwards and Jimmy Cliff. Another change was that releases in the WIP series were normally stereo productions. Major UK top twenty singles' chart success for the label came very early in the WIP series, with WIP-6002 – Traffic's "Paper Sun" (#5, 6/1967),[4] a classic slice of British psychedelia released just in time for the "summer of love", but quite a high proportion of the early WIP-series output was by artists who failed to develop as anticipated (e.g. Hard Meat, The Smoke) or represented one-off licensing deals with artists who never again appeared in the Island listings (e.g. WIP-6001, WIP-6013, etc.). The series continued throughout the 1970s and into the early 1980s (see below).
The first of a series of pink label designs was used for singles WIP-6000 to WIP-6051, inclusive. Sometimes referred to as the "eye" label design, it featured an orange and black elliptical device on the left-hand side of the label which could be said to resemble a grotesque eyeball when viewed sideways. "A" and "B" sides were clearly delineated on this early series of pink label singles, thus: WIP-6050-A (Traffic's "Medicated Goo") and WIP-6050-B (the same band's "Shanghai Noodle Factory").
Beginning with WIP-6052, a new series of matrix numbers was introduced for 7" singles. Henceforward, singles' sides were not usually identified as "A" or "B", but each bore a unique matrix number in a series starting at wipx 1002.[8] The matrix number appeared on the label, usually upside-down directly beneath the main catalogue number. The matrix numbers seem to have been allocated to each release in numerical sequence, irrespective of the actual or proposed release date of the record; thus the two sides of WIP-6056 (Jethro Tull's "Living In The Past" b/w "Driving Song") have matrix numbers wipx 1010 and wipx 1011, respectively. Initially, the new matrix numbers were used in conjunction with the existing "eye" label design, but beginning with releases in June 1969 a new pink label design was introduced, known as the "block" design. The new design continued to feature the "eye" device in plain black enclosed within the push-out centre of the record, but the company name was now written in capital letters within a rectangular black block in the lower part of the label. The first release to feature the new label design appears to have been WIP-6060 and the last to feature the orange-and-black "eye" design WIP-6061, a reissue of "Incense" by the Anglos, which had actually been released the previous month. One or two earlier releases which were evidently still selling were re-pressed with the new design (e.g. WIP-6056, which exists with both the orange-and-black "eye" and the "block" label designs).
Towards the end of 1969, artists signed to Terry Ellis and Chris Wright's Chrysalis management company began to be favoured with a special Chrysalis label design – green with a red Chrysalis butterfly logo. Initially this applied to Jethro Tull and former Tull guitarist Mick Abrahams' band Blodwyn Pig. These early Chrysalis singles were allotted catalogue and matrix numbers in the main Island WIP and wipx series, respectively, and bore the legend "manufactured and distributed by island records basing st london" on the upper circumference of the label. Chrysalis continued to issue singles bearing Island catalogue numbers until Autumn 1971, after which the label broke away completely and began its own series of catalogue numbers in a CHS 2000 series.
WIP-6000 – Owen Gray: "Help Me" b/w "Incense", 14/1/1967[1]
WIP-6001 – Rene & Rene: "Loving You Could Hurt Me So Much" b/w "Little Diamonds", 14/1/1967[1][9]
WIP-6002 – Traffic: "Paper Sun" b/w "Giving to You", 5/1967 (UK #5, June 1967)[4]
WIP-6003 – Ray Cameron: "Doing My Time" b/w "Getaway, Getaway Car", 1/1967
WIP-6004 – Jimmy Cliff: "Give and Take" b/w "Aim And Ambition", 2/1967
WIP-6005 – The V.I.P.'s: "Straight Down To The Bottom" b/w "In A Dream", 2/1967
WIP-6057 – Nirvana: "Oh! What a Performance" b/w "Darling Darlane", 5/1969
WIP 6058 – Spooky Tooth: "That Was Only Yesterday" b/w "Oh! Pretty Woman", 1969 (believed not issued in U.K. Dutch picture sleeve issues exist with this catalogue number.[14])
IEP 711 – Z. Z. Hill / Intentions: Gimmie Gimmie (Sue subsidiary)
LPs of the 1960s
For LPs the label chose the prefix ILP (meaning: Island Long Player) with a number of three figures beginning with 900, later supplemented by ILPS (meaning: Island Long Player Stereo) to distinguish between Mono and Stereo records. Some records were issued in both forms. For those records in stereo, the catalogue number was changed by adding a fourth figure (e.g.: ILP 970 was the mono equivalent of ILPS 9070).
ILP/ILPS series
ILP 901 – Keith and Enid: Keith and Enid Sing, 1964
the above was the only Island LP released with a black and silver 'flaming sun' label. All following Island LPs had the white and red 'flaming sun' label. The Sue label LPs were incorporated into the island numerical system, and had the yellow and red 'bow tie' labels.
At this point, Island introduced the first of three pink label designs. These next releases had the first pink label, with an orange and black 'eyeball' logo on the left, unless otherwise indicated:
At this point, Island introduced the second pink label. It is known as the 'black block' label, as it featured a thick, block-like letter i at the bottom, dotted by a black eyeball in the centre of the label. This was very quickly replaced by the third pink label, featuring a small white letter i logo. Due to variations in catalogue number assignation and the actual release dates of the records, there is a small cross-over period between the three pink label designs. The original label designs for the following LPs are detailed in parentheses.
The first release in 1970, WIP-6075, had the "block" label design, but the very next one, "John The Baptist" by John & Beverley Martyn, featured a third pink label design, characterised by a large white letter "i" on the left-hand side. This design was used for the remaining pink label issues, interrupted with increasing frequency by green Chrysalis label releases, as denoted in the listing below. Bronze label singles by artists such as Tony Hazzard and Uriah Heep began to appear in the Island listing from May 1971, for a couple of years until that label's own BRO- series was begun. An American record label, Blue Thumb, also released a small number of UK singles with WIP-series numbers in 1972/3. The one-off catalogue number WI-4002 was given to the flexi-single "Let There Be Drums" which came with the album Rock On by The Bunch in 1972.
In the second half of the decade the character of the label began to change and this is reflected in its singles releases from about 1976 onwards. There was a conscious move back towards the label's roots in Jamaican music in the form of commercial reggae aimed at the rock/pop audience. Names such as Bob Marley & the Wailers, Toots & the Maytals and Third World crop up in the listings with increasing frequency. They and others enjoyed considerable commercial success in the U.K. market. There is evidence too of an increasing number of one-off licensing deals featuring (mainly American) soul and R & B singers (e.g. Barbara Pennington and Betty Davis). Island also joined a growing trend amongst U.K.-based record companies at that time towards exploitation of its own back catalogue,[18] and a substantial programme of reissues was undertaken, especially of ska and reggae titles, most of which seem to have been aimed at a small, specialist audience and did not enjoy widespread commercial success.
Also in 1976, another American record label, Shelter Records, began to issue U.K. singles through Island, which received WIP-series catalogue numbers. Artists included the Dwight Twilley Band, J.J. Cale and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, the last-named of whom enjoyed some success on the coat-tails of punk. Finally, the Black Swan label was reactivated for certain reggae-styled releases, some of which appeared with WIP-series numbers.
(N.B. For reasons of continuity, this section of the discography also includes singles numbered in the WIP 6xxx series which were released between 1980 and 1983.)
WIP-6075 – Quintessence: "Notting Hill Gate" b/w "Move Into The Light", 1/1970 [19]
WIP-6089 – Fairport Convention: "Now Be Thankful" b/w "Sir B. McKenzie's Daughter's Lament For The 77th Mounted Lancers' Retreat From The Straits Of Loch Knombe, In The Year Of Our Lord 1727, On The Occasion Of The Announcement Of Her Marriage To The Laird Of Kinleakie", 9/1970
WIP-6089 was the last single to be released with a pink label. The next single, WIP-6090 was on the Chrysalis label, but from the one after that, WIP 6091, the "pink rim" palm tree label was introduced.
WIP 6103 – Jimmy Cliff: "Goodbye Yesterday" b/w "Breakdown", 5/1971
WIP 6104 – Richard Barnes: "Coldwater Morning" b/w "Suddenly I Know", 5/1971 (Bronze label)
WIP-6105 – Mott the Hoople: "Midnight Lady" b/w "The Debt", 7/1971 (picture sleeve)[1]
WIP 6106 – Jethro Tull: "Life Is A Long Song" EP ("Life Is A Long Song"/"Up The Pool" b/w "Dr. Bogenbroom"/"From Later"/"Nursie"), 19/9/1971 (green Chrysalis label, picture sleeve)
WIP 6108 – Paladin: "Anyway" b/w "Giving All My Love", 7/1971 (Bronze label)
WIP 6109 – Luther Grosvenor: "Here Comes The Queen" b/w "Heavy Day", 9/1971
WIP 6110 – Jimmy Cliff: "Sitting In Limbo" b/w "The Bigger They Come The Harder They Fall", 8/1971
WIP 6111 – Uriah Heep: "Look At Yourself" b/w "Simon The Bullet Freak", 9/1971 (Bronze label)
WIP-6141 – "Pass of Arms" EP (soundtrack), feat. Sandy Denny: "Here In Silence" b/w "Man Of Iron" plus poem "Strange Meeting" read by Christopher Logue, 9/1972 (picture sleeve)[1]
WIP 6142 – Sandy Denny: "Listen, Listen" b/w "Tomorrow Is a Long Time", 10/1972
WIP 6143 – The Crusaders: "Put It Where You Want It" b/w "Mosadi Woman", 1/1973 (Blue Thumb label)
WIP 6151 – P.C. Plod: "W.P.C. Hodges" b/w "B Side Yourself With Plod", 24/11/1972 (die-cut picture sleeve. P.C. Plod was John Gorman of The Scaffold – see next entry.)[1]
WIP 6151 – John Gorman: "W.P.C. Hodges" b/w "I Remember", 11/5/1973 (reissue of previous entry with different b-side)[1]
WIP 6152 – Cat Stevens: "Can't Keep It In" b/w "Crab Dance", 11/1972 (also pressed with later "orange palm" label)
WIP 6153 – Amazing Blondel – "Alleluia (Cantus Firmus To Counterpoint)" b/w "Safety In God Alone", 12/1972
WIP 6154 – Claire Hamill: "Speedbreaker" b/w "The Artist", 2/1973
WIP 6179 – The Heptones: "Book Of Rules" b/w "Book Of Rules (version)", 1973
WIP 6180 – Nirvana: "Rainbow Chaser" b/w "Tiny Goddess" (Reissue – released 8/1976 on the "orange palm" label with picture sleeve in the "Then!.. ...Now!" series. Promo copies on "pink rim" label exist, suggesting that release was originally scheduled for an earlier date.)[21]
WIP 6181 – Zap Pow: "This Is Reggae Music" b/w "Break Down The Barriers", 2/1974
WIP 6207 – Traffic: "Walking In The Wind" b/w "Walking In The Wind (Instrumental)", 10/1974
WIP.6208 – Roxy Music: "All I Want Is You" b/w "Your Application's Failed", 10/1974
WIP.6209 – Sutherland Brothers and Quiver: "Saviour In The Rain" b/w "Silver Sister", 1974
WIP 6211 – Sparks: "Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth" b/w "Alabamy Right", 10/1974 (picture sleeve)[1]
WIP 6212 – Bob Marley & The Wailers: "So Jah Seh" b/w "Natty Dread", 1974 (reissued 6/1975 and repromoted with "Natty Dread" as the A-side, picture sleeve on reissue only)
WIP 6228 – Dave & Ansil Collins: "Gonna Keep On Trying Till I Win Your Love" b/w "Keep On Dubbing", 3/1975
WIP 6229 – Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance: "Brother Can You Spare A Dime?" b/w "Ain't No Lady", 4/1975
WIP 6230 – Speedy Keen: "Someone To Love" b/w "Fighting In The Streets", 4/1975
WIP 6231 – Pete Wingfield: "Eighteen With a Bullet" b/w "Shadow of a Doubt", 6/1975 (Promo-only picture sleeve.[1] Initial pressings with "pink rim" labels, later pressings with "orange palm" labels)
WIP 6232 – Mike Lesley: "Come Together" b/w "Don't Be So Serious", 5/1975
WIP 6242 – Bad Company: "Feel Like Makin' Love" b/w "Wild Fire Women", 8/1975
WIP 6243 – Andy Mackay: "Wild Weekend" b/w "Walking The Whippet", 8/1975
WIP 6244 – Bob Marley & The Wailers: "No Woman No Cry" b/w "Kinky Reggae", 8/1975 (initial pressings with "pink rim" labels, later pressings with "orange palm" labels)
WIP 6245 – Pete Wingfield: "A Whole Pot Of Jelly (For A Little Slice Of Toast)" b/w "Anytime", 1975
WIP 6245 is believed to have been the last single released with "pink rim" labels as subsequent releases appeared with the "orange & blue" palm tree label (referred to in this listing as "orange palm").
WIP 6250 – Robert Palmer: "Which Of Us Is The Fool" b/w "Get Outside", 10/1975 (picture sleeve)[1]
WIP 6252 – Murray Head: "Say It Ain't So Joe" b/w "Don't Have To", 10/1975 (A DJ Promo version of this single, featuring an edited version of "Say It Ain't So", was released in 1/1976.)
WIP 6253 – Nasty Pop: "Crow" b/w "Gracie", 1975
WIP 6254 – Joe South: "To Have, To Hold And Let Go" b/w "Midnight Rainbows", 10/1975
WIP 6255 – Betty Davis: "Shut Off The Light" b/w "He Was A Big Freak", 10/1975
WIP 6333 – Eddie and the Hot Rods: "96 Tears" b/w "Get Out Of Denver", 9/1976 (Jukebox special issue of two songs from the "Live at the Marquee" EP, IEP 2)
WIP 6334 – Dillinger: "Cokane In My Brain" b/w "Power Bank", 1976
WIP 6335 – Julien Covey & the Machine: "A Little Bit Hurt" (not released)
WIP 6336 – Pete Wingfield: "Bubbling Under" b/w "I Wanna Try", 1976 (edited version of A-side)
WIP 6342 – The Dodgers: "Just Wanna Love You" b/w "Don't Know What You're Doing", 10/1976 (number originally allotted to The Heptones with The Upsetters: "Party Time" – not issued)
WIP 6501 – The Jags: "Back Of My Hand" b/w "Double Vision", 6/1979 (picture sleeve)
12XWIP 6502 – Dwight Twilley Band: "Dwight On White" (6-track EP: "I'm On Fire"/"T.V."/"Runaway" b/w "Looking For The Magic"/"Standin' In The Shadow Of Love"/"Sleeping"), 1979 (Shelter label, 12" on white vinyl, picture sleeve)
WIP 6503 – Gibson Brothers: "Ooh! What A Life" b/w "You", 7/1979
WIP 6504 – U.S. of A.: "2–1 (I Bet Ya)" b/w "2–1 (I Bet Ya) Instrumental Version", 1979[1]
WIP 6505 – The Slits: "Typical Girls" b/w "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", 9/1979
WIP 6532 – Sparks: "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us" b/w "Looks, Looks, Looks", 9/1979 (reissue)
WIP 6533 – The Distractions: "It Doesn't Bother Me" b/w "One Way Love", 18/1/1980 (picture sleeve)[1]
12WIP 6534 – Third World: "Story's Been Told" b/w "Always Around", 11/1979 (unreleased on 7", although promotional copies may exist with cat. no. WIP 6534)[1]
WIP 6536 – Randy VanWarmer: "Call Me" b/w "Forever Loving You", 1979 (Bearsville label)
WIP 6537 – Inner Circle: "New Age Music" b/w Music Machine", 7/1980[1]
12WIP 6550 – Killing Joke: "Nervous System" b/w "Almost Red" (12" single – see WIP 6550 for 7" version)
WIP 6551 – The B-52's: "Planet Claire" b/w "There's a Moon in the Sky (Called The Moon)", 11/1979 (picture sleeve)[1] (also released as a picture disc with catalogue no. PWIP 6551)[1]
WIP 6554 – Linton Kwesi Johnson: "Di Black Petty Booshwah" b/w "Straight to Madray's Head", 1980[1]
WIP 6555 – Kim Fowley: "1989: Waiting Around For The Next Ten Years" b/w "1987: Lost Like A Lizard In The Show", 1/1980[1]
WIP 6557 – Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band: "I'm An Indian Too" b/w "Deputy Of Love", 1/1980;[1] (ZE/Island label; 12": 12WIP 6557; reissied 9/1982 with picture sleeve)
WIP 6558 – The Rivits: "Look All You Like" b/w "Multiplay", 8/1980[1]
WIP 6615 – Robert Parker: "Barefootin'" b/w Julian Covey: "A Little Bit Hurt" and The Anglos: "Incense"
10WIP 6615 – Robert Parker: "Barefootin'", Julian Covey: "A Little Bit Hurt" and THe Soul Sisters: "I Can't Stand It" b/w The Anglos: "Incense", The Righteous Brothers: "Little Latin Lupe Lu" and Inez and Charlie Foxx: "Hurt By Love", 1980 (Sue label, Plundering the Archives Consignment No. 2
WIP 6617 – Gibson Brothers: "Mariana" b/w "All I Want Is You", 7/1980
WIP 6735 – Tom Tom Club: "Genius Of Love" b/w "Lorelei (Instrumental)", 1981 (picture sleeve; also released as 12" single with catalogue number 12WIP 6735)[24]
WIP 6740 – Pete Shelley: "I Don't Know What It Is", 1981
WIP 6750 – Cristina: "Things Fall Apart" b/w "Disco Clone"
12": Island 12WIP 6750-A / UK, 1981
12": Island 12WIP 6750-B / UK, 1981
WIP 6754 – Robert Palmer: "Some Guys Have All the Luck" b/w "Too Good To Be True", 1981 (also released as picture disc with catalogue number PWIP 6754)[25]
WIP 6756 – Kid Creole & The Coconuts: "I'm A Wonderful Thing, Baby" b/w "Table Manners", 1982 (Ze label, picture sleeve; also released as 12" single with catalogue number 12WIP 6756 and picture disc with catalogue number PWIP 6756)[26]
WIP 6836 – Set The Tone: "Dance Sucker" b/w "Let Loose", 1982
WIP 6837 – Sweat Pea Atkinson: "Someone Could Lose A Heart Tonight"
WIP 6840 – Kid Creole And The Coconuts: "Dear Addy" b/w "No Fish Today/Christmas On Riverside Drive", 1982 ("Christmas In B'Dilli Bay" EP)
WIP 6846 – Peech Boys: "Life Is Something Special (Vocal)" b/w "Life Is Something Special (Special Edition)", 1983
WIP 6848 – U2: "New Year's Day" b/w "Treasure (Whatever Happened To Pete The Chop)", 1/1983
WIP 6849 – Steve Winwood: "Your Silence Is Your Song" b/w "Your Silence Is Your Song (Instrumental)", 6/1983
IDS/IDJ series
The IDS prefix stands for Island Disco Sampler. The series was used for pre-releases in the seconds half of the 1970s, white labels. IDJ was a limited edition series for related releases on the colourful Island label.
IDS 19 – Eddy Quansah Disco Sampler (12"-single sided)
IDJ 19 – Eddy Quansah: Che Che Kulu (12")
IPR series
These singels were released in the 12" format during 1977 and 1978.
BS 7 – Dillinger: Cocaine In My Brain // Buckingham Palace / Ragnampiza, 1976
BS 8 – Jimmy Lindsay: Easy / Fabian: Prophecy, 1977
BS 9 – Dillinger: Cokane In My Brain (Raggarave Mix)
7BSX 9 – Dillinger – Cokane In My Brain (Remix), 7"
LPs in the 1970s
ILPS series
Following on from the 1960s releases, LPs were originally released with pink labels featuring the 'white i' logo, except for the two Chrysalis albums (ILPS 9122/3), which had that company's green labels with butterfly logo. Possibly as a result of a pressing plant change, Jethro Tull's Chrysalis album Benefit was also pressed on the pink rim/palm tree Island label sometime between November 1970 (when that label design went into use) and July 1973 (when Tull's first four albums, including Benefit, were reissued in the Chrysalis CHR 1000 LP series).
Until late 1970 Island LPs were pressed by Polydor. Pressing was then switched to EMI Records before, in late 1975, moving to an unknown, budget manufacturer. EMI pressings can be identified by type-printed Matrix/catalogue numbers pressed into the spare vinyl around the label, whilst later pressings have hand written matrix numbers around label and tend to be pressed on lighter weight vinyl.
The pink label was replaced by the 'pink rim/palm tree' label at this point, but there was a small cross-over period. At the same time, Island changed its main pressing plants from those of Polydor to EMI.
ILPS 9131 – The Alan Bown: Listen, 1970 (pink rim/palm tree label)
From this point, all Island releases featured the pink rim/palm tree label. ILPS series albums on the Blue Thumb, Bronze and Chrysalis labels used those labels' designs.
ILPS 9166 – Traffic: Welcome to the Canteen, 1971 (Credited on labels and cover to Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason, Chris Wood, Rick Grech, "Reebop" Kwaku Baah, Jim Gordon; with the Traffic symbol, but not the band name)
ILPS 9177 – War: All Day Music, 1971 (catalogue number originally assigned to Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Pictures at an Exhibition, the LP of which was released as HELP 1, but the 8-track of "Pictures..." was released as Y8I 9177)
ILPS 9241 – The Wailers: Catch a Fire, 1973 (Original flip-top "cigarette lighter" cover credited to "The Wailers", later band photo cover credited to "Bob Marley and The Wailers")
ILPS 9278 – Andy Mackay: In Search of Eddie Riff, 1974 (reissued in 1975 with different track listing, but same catalogue number. 1975 version only one released in North America)
A series of budget-priced albums. Those on the Island label used a black variation of the "white i" label with a pink "i" logo and silver print. HELP albums on the Blue Thumb and Bronze labels used their respective designs.
HELP 1 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Pictures at an Exhibition, 1971 (originally the catalogue number was assigned as ILPS 9177, the LP number of which was later given to and released as War: All Day Music. But the 8-track cartridge version of "Pictures at an Exhibition" was released as Y8I 9177)
ISLD 2 – Traffic: On the Road (2LP), 1973 – disc numbers are ISLD 3.1 and ISLD 3.2, thereby conflicting with The Free Story LP number (see below); Collectable Records.ru
ISLD 3 – Free: The Free Story (2LP), 1973 – ISLD 3 used on low numbered sleeves only; record labels have ISLD 4 due to conflict with On The Road disc numbers (see above)
SW-9325 – John Martyn: Solid Air, 1973 (UK release in 1972)
SW-9326 – Sutherland Brothers & Quiver: Lifeboat, 1973 (some tracks same as UK Sutherland Brothers LP [ILPS 9212], some tracks re-recorded with Quiver, some totally new tracks)
SW-9327 – Blondel: England, 1973 (UK release in 1972)
AN-7076 – Blackfoot: No Reservations (reissue), 1979
AN-7081 – John Martyn: Grace & Danger (reissue), 1980
UK releases 1980s
Singles of the 1980s
WIP series
For singles released during the years 1980 to 1983, which were numbered in this series, see Singles of the 1970s section, above.
IS series
This new series of numbers was introduced in 1983 to replace the long-running WIP series for 7" singles (and other formats). As the CD format gained ascendancy during the later 1980s, so more and more singles were released with the prefix CID, indicating a CD release, initially alongside the "standard" 7" release.
IS 101 – David Joseph: "You Can't Hide (Your Love From me)"; 12": 12IS 101
IS 102 – The Powell Family: "No Problem" / "Dub Cut", 1983; 12": 12IS 102
IS 104 – Robert Palmer: "You Are In My System", 1983; 12": 12IS 104
IS 106 – Gwen Guthrie: "Hopscotch" / "You're The One", 1983; 12": 12IS 106, 12" Promo: 12IS 106
IS 107 – The B-52's: "Future Generation", 1983; 12": Island 12IS 107
IS 108 – Bob Marley: "Buffalo Soldier" / "Buffalo Dub", 1983; 12": Tuff Gong 12IS 108
IS 110 – Set The Tone: "Rap Your Love" (12": 12IS 110), 1983
IS 111 – Paul Haig: Heaven Sent (12": 12IS 111), Label: Les Disques du Crepuscule, 1983
IS 112 – Marcia Griffiths: Electric Boogie / Electric Boogie (Long Version) b/w Electric Boogie (Dub 1) / Electric Boogie (Dub 2) / Electric Boogie (Dub 3) (12": Island 12IS 112), 1983
IS 116 – David Joseph: Let's Live It Up (12": 12IS116), 1983
IS 117 – Tom Tom Club: The Man With The 4 Way Hips (12": 12IS 117), 1983
IS 119 – Peech Boys: On A Journey (12": 12IS 119), 1983
IS 120 – Big Brother: Adventures In Success Parts 1 & 2 (12": 12IS 120), 1983
IS 121 – Robert Palmer: You Can Have It (Take My Heart) (12": 12IS 121), 1983
IS 122 – King Sunny Ade & His African Beats: Synchro System (12": 12IS 122), 1983
IS 123 – Cat Stevens: Morning has Broken / Moonshadow, 1983
IS 124 – Paul Haig: Never Give Up (Party, Party) (12": 12IS 124), 1983
IS 147 – Club House: Superstition / Good Times (12": 12IS147), 1983
IS 150 – Black Uhuru: "What Is Life?" b/w "Solidarity" / "Party Next Door" (12": 12IS 150), 1983
IS 156 – Will Powers: Adventures In Success (12": 12IS 156), 1983
IS 158 – Mel Brooks: To Be Or Not To Be (The Hitler Rap) (12": IVA 12IS 156), Label: Island Visual Arts, 1983
IS 160 – Aswad: Chasing For The Breeze / Gave You My Love (12": Island 12IS 160), 1984. – Aswad: Chasing For The Breeze / Gave You My Love & Aswad: Dub Chase / Have This Dub (2x12": Island 12 ISX 160), 1984
IS 167 – The Earons: Land Of Hunger (12": 12IS 167), 1984
IS 169 – Bob Marley And The Wailers: "One Love" / "People Get Ready" (Extended Version) b/w "So Much Trouble In The World" / "Keep On Moving" (12": Island 12IS 169), 1984. — Bob Marley And The Wailers: "One Love" / "People Get Ready" (Extended Version) (12": Island 12ISX 169), 1984
IS 170 – Aswad: "54 46 (Was My Number)" / "54 46 (Was My Number)" Horns Revival b/w "Java" / "Warrior Charge" (Trouble Mix) (12": Island 12IS 170), 1984
IS 171 – Junie Morrison: "Techno-Freqs; 12": ZE /Island 12IS 171
IS 176 – Papa Levi: "Bonnie & Clyde" / "Warning" (12": Island 12IS 176), 1984
IS 178 – Breakfast Club: "Rico Mambo"; 12": Island 12IS 178
IS 180 – Bob Marley & The Wailers: Waiting in Vain / Blackman Redemption b/w Marley Mix Up: Exodus/Positive Vibration/Pimpers Paradise/Punky Reggae Party (12": Island 12IS 180), 1984
IS 206 – Grace Jones: "Slave To The Rhythm"; 12": 12IS 206
IS 207 – Force MC's: "Forgive Me Girl" / "Itchin' For A Scratch"; 12": Island 12IS 208
IS 208 – Papa Levi: "Big 'n' Broad" / "'84 'tion"; 12": Island 12IS 208, 1984
IS 209 – John Martyn: "Over The Rainbow" b/w "Rope Soul'd", 1984
IS 210 – Bob Marley & The Wailers: "Could You Be Loved" / "Jamming" b/w "No Woman No Cry" / "Coming From The Cold" (12": Island 12IS 210), 1984
IS 214 – Aswad: "Need Your Love (Each And Every Day)" / "Rainfall, Sunshine"; 12": Island 12IS 214, 1984
IS 215 – 3-D: "Greatest Beat Megamix"; 12": Island 12IS 215
IS 216 – Dumb Guys: "Rap-O-Matic Rap"; 12": Island 12IS 216
IS 219 – Third World: "Now That We've Found Love"; also released on 7": Island ISX 219 (with a remixed version by Paul Hardcastle), 12": Island 12IS 219, 12": Mango 12ISX 219, all UK, 1985
IS 447 – London Posse: Live Like The Other Half Do (12": 12IS 447, Mango label), 1989
LPs of the 1980s
Island ILPS series (1979–1991)
During this period Island regained some more important artists on its roster and continued to release 20 to 50 albums a year. The catalogue numbers don't follow the release dates as the numbers were given to projects scheduled for release. Usually the "Day & Night" label was in use for albums. Some new labels entered the Island distribution and were given Island catalogue numbers received for UK release while retaining their original labels (e.g. ZE, Celluloid).
Around 1980 Island started to distribute a New York-based label, run by Michael Zilkha and Michael Esteban. In the UK the catalogue numbers were composed by the ILPS prefix and numbers starting at 7000. In the US the label was distributed via Islands Antilles label and division.
In 1985, Island release 15 compilation albums dedicated to reggae, presenting twelve of its best (selling) reggae artists and three styles, "DJ", "lovers" and "rockers", on one disc each. The albums were compiled by Trevor Wyatt, the covers were illustrated by various artists on the basis of paintings and contain extensive liner notes.
This part of the Island Records discography can be found here: Island Reggae Greats
Island CID 101 series
After the CD format was introduced on the record market Island reacted coolly by releasing only a small number of bestsellers during 1984/1985 introducing the CID (Compact Island Disc) prefix with catalogue numbers starting at 101. Soon after the company started to release new CDs and to re-release older material with the CID prefix and the "ILPS" catalogue numbers.
CID 101 – Frankie Goes To Hollywood: Welcome To The Pleasuredome (ZTT label), 1985
CD: Island CID 132 / 610 584–222 / UK/Germany, 1985
Island Masters
In 1989, Island Records was sold to Polygram. Immediately Polygram started to re-release parts of the Island catalogue, mainly classics from the 1970s and good selling records from the 1980s within a CD series called Island Masters. The series ran with the prefix IMCD and catalogue numbers starting with 1. The first year of the label has seen more than 70 releases. Finally the catalogue comprised more than 300 titles, from the year 2000 on in re-mastered quality.
As CD became the preferred format for the majority of sales, singles released in that format were prefixed CID. Otherwise, the series continued the numbering of the IS series begun in the 1980s. Singles released on a variety of vinyl formats (7", 10", 12", etc.) continued to be prefixed IS (or 10IS, 12IS, etc.). Frequently, CD and larger format releases included additional (or sometimes different) songs to those found on the traditional 7" format.
In 1992, Island had reached catalogue number 9999 for its ILP/ILPS series and continued at number 8000. As the principal medium had changed since several years, CID became the general prefix. The independent catalogue numbers seem to have stopped being assigned to Island albums in June 2006.
CID 8000 – Julian Cope: Floored Genius, 1992
CID 8001 – Apachi Indian: No Reservation, 1993
CID 8002 – PJ Harvey: Rid Of Me, 1993
CID 8003 – The Cranberries: Everybody Else Is Doing It So, 1993
CID 8111 – Ocean Colour Scene: Songs From the Front Row – The Best of Ocean Colour Scene, 2001
CID 8112 – Frou Frou: Details, 2002
CID 8113 – not issued
CID 8114 – Tricky: A Ruff Guide, 2002
CID 8115 – Ali G Indahouse: Da Soundtrack, 2002
CID 8116 – allSTARS*: allSTARS*, 2002
CID 8117 – not issued
CID 8118 – D.J. Shadow: The Private Press, 2002
CID 8119 – Martin Grech: Open Heart Zoo, 2002
CID 8120 – Naughty by Nature: Licons (Icons), 2002
CID 8121 – Default: Fallout, 2002
CID 8122 – Sugababes: Angels With Dirty Faces, 2002
CID 8123 – Music from the Motion Picture Swimfan, 2002
CID 8124 – Puressence: Planet Helpless, 2002
CID 8125 – Stereo MC's: Retroactive – The Best of Stereo MC's, 2002
CID 8126 – Pulp: Hits, 2002
CID 8127 – not issued
CID 8128 – David Holmes: Analyze That (Soundtrack), 2003
CID 8129 – not issued
CID 8130 – The Good Thief: Original Soundtrack & Music From The Film, 2003
ILPSD 8131 – D.J. Shadow: The Private Repress, 2003
CID 8132 – Sevendust: Animosity, 2003
CID 8133 – Nothingface: Skeletons, 2003
CID 8134 – BellX1: Music in Mouth – New Version, 2004
CID 8135 – Span: Mass Distraction, 2004
CID 8136 – Party Monster: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 2003
CID 8137 – Sugababes: Three, 2003
CID 8138 – Love Actually: The Original Soundtrack, 2003
CID 8139 – not issued
CID 8140 – Sevendust: Seasons, 2003
CID 8141 – Nick Drake: Made to Love Magic, 2004
CID 8142 – Shaun Of The Dead: Music From The Motion Picture, 2004
CID 8143 – P.J. Harvey: Uh Huh Her, 2004
CID 8144 – not issued
CID 8145 – Keane: Hopes and Fears, 2004
CID 8146 – D.J. Shadow: Live! In Tune and On Time, 2004
CID 8147 – Chiniki: Lick Your Ticket, 2004
CID 8148 – Amy Winehouse: Frank, 2003
CID 8149 – Nick Drake: A Treasury – The Best of Nick Drake, 2004
CID 8150 – Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason – The Original Soundtrack, 2004
CID 8151 – not issued
CID 8152 – not issued
CID 8153 – not issued
CID 8154 – Dogs: Turn Against This Land, 2005
CID 8155 – Nine Inch Nails: With Teeth, 2005
CID 8156 – Leaves: Angela Test, 2005
CID 8157 – Martin Grech: Unholy, 2005
CID 8158 – Nine Black Alps: Everything Is, 2005
CID 8159 – not issued
CID 8160 – not issued
CID 8161 – Bellx1: Flock, 2006
CID 8162 – Sugababes: Taller in More Ways, 2005
CID 8163 – Ladytrum: Witching Hour
CID 8164 – not issued
CID 8165 – Fightstar: Grand Unification, 2005
CID 8166 – Nine Black Alps: Gutter Gulch EP, 2006
CID 8167 – Keane: Under the Iron Sea, 2006
Island Jamaica/Island Jamaica Jazz
Island released for a short while Jamaican music on new sub-labels Island Jamaica and Island Jamaica Jazz, the latter one obviously responding to the success of bands like Jazz Jamaica and the music by trombone soloists like Rico Rodriguez.
This series started with 26 releases in 1990. Island used the new label to re-issue a part of its reggae catalogue. Confusing was that some of the titles were also released within the Island Masters series or deleted shortly after the release to be re-released otherwise (the Bob Marley & The Wailers catalogue). More titles had been reissued in 1995, while the parent label changed at least for the European releases from Island to Mango. The UK prefixes were RRCD for CD releases and RRCT for cassettes. Numbers started with 1. Two compilations (numbered 101 and 102 respectively) were released to accompany the series.
RRCDS 101 – Various Artists: Reggae Refreshers, 1990
ISLR 16085-2 – Fefe Dobson: "Don't Go (Girls and Boys)", 2004
ISLR 16269-2 – Fefe Dobson: "Don't Let It Go to Your Head", 2005
ISLR 16518-2 – Fefe Dobson: "This is My Life" (MAINSTREAM VERSION), 2006
ISLR 16521-2 – Fefe Dobson: "This is My Life" (ALBUM VERSION), 2006
Island Masters/Island Re-Masters series
While there was no clear label policy the Island Masters were reactivated under the title Island Remasters with remastered works of the back catalogue and more reissues to reach the catalogue number 320 in 2005.
^It seems probable that the series was intended to start at wipx 1000 and to apply to the previous release, WIP-6051. However, label scans of WIP-6051 show that the matric numbers did not appear on the face of the labels; it would, however, be interesting to know what matrix numbers were stamped or scratched into the run-out grooves of the record.
^Jan Inge Sommerseth's comprehensive Steve Winwood discography [1] lists this as a UK promo item, but the eil.com discography [2] illustrates a copy which is described as an export issue with black & silver labels and matrix number SON-638. Either way, it was replaced for UK commercial issue by the following item.
^Rare Record Price Guide, 2008 edition, lists this record with this catalogue number, but see also WI 3157.
^Rare Record Price Guide, 2008 edition. However, the same source also lists WIP-6043 as Jethro Tull: "A Song For Jeffrey" and there are plenty of copies of the latter record in existence to prove the point. Some internet biographies of Sue & Sunny suggest that they released at least one single on Island; this would appear to be it, but the obvious discrepancy in catalogue numbers is not explained.
^Other discographies, e.g. [3] give release date as 6/1971, which is shortly before the b-side, "Moon Shadow", charted in the U.K. However, the matrix numbers – wipx1089 for "Father and Son" and wipx1090 for "Moon Shadow" – make it clear that "Father and Son" was originally the a-side and the original release date of 9/1970, in advance of the "Tea for the Tillerman" LP seems correct. Probably, the single was repromoted in June 1971, in advance of the "Teaser and the Firecat" LP, on which "Moon Shadow" appeared, and the latter track promoted as the a-side. See [4].
^ abThis record exists with two different b-sides. Promo copies of both versions advertised for sale on eBay in June 2009
^Withdrawn, according to Heylin, Clinton (September 1988). "Sandy Denny". Record Collector (109): 61–66., but both promotional and stock copies exist – see [5]