Island music catalogue

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Island Records is a record label from Jamaica. Many well-known artists and bands have been signed by the label (Bob Marley, U2 and The Killers). Island is best known for the pop music styles reggae, ska and progressive rock. Island Records is part of Universal Music Group. Especially bands in the ska and rocksteady genres were initially signed by the label.

As Jamaica became too small for Island Records, the company moved to London in 1962, which had a large Jamaican community. There, Blackwell often tried to sell his records by car himself. The Jamaican sound became increasingly popular in London's clubs.

In 1967, Blackwell also decided to focus on progressive rock artists. Bands like "Traffic" (with Steve Winwood) were put under contract. Island established itself in this market and bands like "Roxy Music", "King Crimson", "Jethro Tull" and artists such as John Cale joined. Bob Marley was added to Island's artist stable in 1973. This fact highlighted Blackwell's Jamaican heritage and it proved to be a golden opportunity. More reggae artists joined, such as "Steel Pulse" and "Aswad".

In the eighties, Grace Jones and Robert Palmer, among others, came under contract. U2 among others joined, but that band only became a success in 1983, which tested Blackwell's patience.

In 1989, Blackwell sold the company to PolyGram. The label continued to exist after that, but could no longer be classified as 'independent'.

In 2008 Justin Bieber got a recording contract with Island Records.

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