Island Records

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Multinational label. Label Code: LC 0407 / LC 00407 Island Records (often using a logo that omits "Records") was named for Island In The Sun (a novel, film, and Harry Belafonte calypso hit), and was founded in Jamaica in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall and Leslie Kong. In May 1962, Blackwell relocated the label to the UK in order to market music by Jamaican artists to immigrant communities in London and Birmingham. In 1967, however, Island shifted its focus to relatively edgy rock music, and most of its Jamaican acts were moved to the spinoff label Trojan Records. Island resumed its support of reggae artists with the signing of The Wailers in 1972.

In the UK, Island was independently distributed until mid-1977 when Blackwell did a deal with EMI Records Ltd.. The EMI Records Ltd. name thereafter appeared on UK labels until the early 1980s.

For several years, Island licensed American rights to its material to a variety of labels, most frequently [url=http://www.discogs.com/label/A%26M+Records]A&M[/url] and Atlantic. In 1971, Island first gained its own US label identity through a distribution deal with Capitol. In 1973, Island's American division switched to independent distribution. US headquarters, formerly based in Los Angeles, were relocated to New York City in November 1977. In mid 1978, US Island began a series of manufacturing and distribution partnerships with major labels, first with Warner Bros. Records Inc., and then with Atlantic Records in late 1981. Similar relationships were forged with Philips [for the world except the US, UK and Australasia up to June 1971], Ariola [Europe from June 1971 except France], Festival [Australasia], Dacapo, and WEA for distribution in various other countries. For a history of relationships in Canada see Island Records Of Canada Ltd..

Blackwell sold Island to PolyGram in 1989, but remained chairman of Island Entertainment Group until 1997. Since 1999, the Island label has been under the control of the Island Def Jam Music Group in the US and Universal Island Records Ltd. in the UK. In Germany, the brand is part of Polydor Island Group, which formed from the short-lived Island Mercury Labelgroup. In Japan, the brand is used domestically by Universal Sigma. In November 2013, Barry Weiss (3) stepped down as Chairman/CEO of both Island and Def Jam. On the first day of April 2014, Universal Music dissolved The Island Def Jam Music Group. Now re-positioned Island Records, Def Jam Recordings and Motown separately as all three solo labels. In early 2024, Universal Music combined the operations of Island, Def Jam and Republic Records together under the unit name, Republic Corps.

An early UK label history can be seen in this image. UK prefixes (ca. 1981): WIP and CWIP: standard 7" (dealer price: £0,70 exl. VAT) IEP: E.P. 7" (dealer price: £0,91 exl. VAT) 12WIP: standard 12" (dealer price: £1,21 exl. VAT) IPR, 12XWIP: specialist 12" (dealer price: £1,40 exl. VAT) IRSP: mid price album (dealer price: £2,00 exl. VAT) ICD: mid price double album (dealer price: £3,90 exl. VAT) ILPS, ISA, ILP, M1, HNBL, ITOP: full price album (dealer price: £3,07 exl. VAT) ILSP: full price double album (dealer price: £4,56 exl. VAT) NDSP: box sets (dealer price: £6,09 exl. VAT) ZCIRSP: mid price cassette (dealer price: £2,00 exl. VAT) ZCI, ZCSA, ZCMI: full price cassette (dealer price: £3,07 exl. VAT) ZCIP: full price double cassette (dealer price: £4,56 exl. VAT) ICT: 1+1 (dealer price: £2,43 exl. VAT) - later used for standard cassette releases.

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