Name: The King of Ska: The Beverley’s Records Singles Collection, 1963 – 1967
Brand: Desmond Dekker

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

4050538697698

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Fold Out Digipack with 12 Page Booklet.

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2024-01-19

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Warner Music Group

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

CDx2

Artist

Desmond Dekker

Genre GB

Reggae / Dub

Label GB

Trojan

Desmond Dekker, born on July 16, 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, was a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter. He is often referred to as the first superstar of reggae. Making his recording debut in 1963 with the single "Honour Your Mother And Father," he gained international recognition with his hit song "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967.
Desmond Dekker & The Aces were led by this talented artist who left an indelible mark on the reggae music scene. His contributions to the genre have made him a legendary figure in the industry.
Despite his untimely death on May 25, 2006 in Thornton Heath, Surrey, England, Desmond Dekker's music continues to resonate with fans worldwide. His unique sound and powerful lyrics remain influential and timeless.

The Beginning:
On July 28th, 1967, the label Trojan was launched by Island Records, one of the UK's leading independent record companies. Created as a sub-label to showcase the productions of Jamaican producer Arthur "Duke" Reid, Trojan quickly became synonymous with reggae music. The label took its name from Reid's powerful sound system and Jamaican label active at the same time. Despite being short-lived initially, Trojan highlighted some of the finest music from Jamaica during the Rocksteady era. After its demise, Trojan was resurrected and went on to dominate the Jamaican records market in the UK.
In the 60s and 70s, Trojan Records successfully spread Reggae throughout the UK and beyond by licensing Jamaican recordings and producing UK-based acts. The parent company was sold to Allied in the 1970s, who continued releasing records under Trojan Records. In 2001, Sanctuary Records Group Ltd acquired the full catalogue of Trojan Records. Subsequently, Universal Music Group purchased Sanctuary in 2007 and later sold it to BMG in 2013. Since then, BMG has distributed Trojan Records in Europe through PIAS. Reissues on Music On Vinyl since 2017 are handled by Townsend Music.
Trojan continues to be a legendary label that has played a significant role in promoting reggae music worldwide.

In 1963, a 21-year-old welder with dreams of becoming a full-time singer-songwriter, auditioned for one of Jamaica’s new elite record producers, Leslie Kong, owner of the recently launched Beverley’s Records label. After performing a number of original compositions, a deal was secured and within weeks, Desmond Adolphus Dacres saw his name in print as ‘Desmond Dekker’ on the labels of what would prove to be the first of his catalogue of 7” singles.

The record, which coupled two of his own songs, ‘Honour Your Mother And Father’ and ‘Madgie’, became an instant best-seller and heralded the beginning of a long and immensely successful run of singles by Dekker, both as a solo artist and later, as lead singer for The Aces.

To mark what would have been Desmond’s 80th birthday, this 2xCD set showcases Dekker’s first twenty singles for Kong’s Beverley’s labels which established him as a true Jamaican superstar.

The 2xCD set is presented in a fold out digipack, along with a 12 page booklet with fascinating sleeve notes written by journalist Winston Smith.

The King of Ska:  The Beverley’s Records Singles Collection, 1963 – 1967

Music GB