Randy’s 50th Anniversary Reggae Anthology Chapter One Released on Double LP

Randy’s 50th Anniversary: Reggae Anthology Chapter One has been issued as a double LP, marking the first time this CD-only compilation has been pressed to vinyl and repackaged for collectors, DJs, and reggae historians. The 17 North Parade/VPRL imprint presents the set with new packaging, inner sleeves containing rare photographs, and liner notes credited to Steve Barrow, giving the material fresh archival framing for turntable use.

The package was released to street on January 30, 2026. VP Reggae product copy frames the collection as a curated run through the 1960s ska era: "First time on vinyl for Chapter One, the first part of the acclaimed previously CD-only set that was released to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Randy's Records." The label adds that the set "kicking off with the joyful ska of Lord Creators' Independent anthem, Chapter One runs the true course of Jamaican music in the 1960s with a virtual who's who of reggae music including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots & The Maytals, Rico, Skatalites, John Holt & Alton Ellis." The packaging is promoted as "Beautifully packaged with inner sleeves featuring rare photos and liner notes by Blood & Fire's Steve Barrow."

Musically, Chapter One emphasizes early ska and transitional cuts that helped shape modern reggae. Highlights include Lord Creator tracks such as "Independent Jamaica" and "Don’t Stay Out Late," Alton Ellis’ "Mouth A Massy" (also rendered as "Mouth A Massa" in review text), The Maytals’ "John And James," The Skatalites’ "Malcolm X," and Bob Marley & The Wailers’ "Sugar Sugar." Reggae Vibes reviewer Mr.T praised the sequencing on Side C, writing: "Alton Ellis’ Mouth A Massa feels like a natural next step after where The Skatalites left things. It keeps that same musical spirit alive, but it also opens the door to even more sweet ska moments on this third side. And from there, the selection just keeps getting better. You get one of Roland Alphonso’s early tunes, Run Bumpers, with Alton laying down smooth harmonies. Then there’s John & James by The Maytals, a top-tier early ska cut that still sounds fresh today. It’s paired nicely with Yagga Yagga from Delroy Byfield, a Rastaman who didn’t stick around long in music, but definitely left his mark here. Machine Shop reminds us how crucial Don Drummond was to the ska era. His trombone work and composing skills shine, and it’s easy to hear why he’s still talked about as one of the"

The record balances marquee names and deep-catalog gems. Side A opens with Lord Creator and includes Rico Rodriquez, Norma Fraser with a credit rendered both as Lord Creator and as Lord Laro in different listings; Side B features Roy Panton, Cornell Campbell, Charlie Organaire, Joanne Gordon with Roland Alphonso variations, Baba Brooks, and The Skatalites; Side C collects Alton Ellis, John Holt & Alton Ellis, The Maytals, Delroy Byfield, Don Drummond, Stranger & Ken, and Lord Creator; Side D closes with Bob Marley & The Wailers, Peter Tosh, The Gaylads, Count Matchuki, The Impact All-Stars, and The Ethiopians. Some artist and track spellings vary between listings - for example, "We Will Be Lovers" appears with differing partner credits, Roland Alphonso is rendered as Alphanso or R. Alphanso, and titles show "Rum Bumpers" versus "Run Bumpers" - details that collectors and archivists will want to check against the physical sleeve.

The anthology ties back to Randy’s Records founder Vincent "Randy" Chin and the 17 North Parade record mart, a storefront and upstairs studio that helped launch ska-era hits. As context for the series, The Vinyl District notes that later chapters trace Clive Chin’s productions from 1971 to 1976 and include extensive sleeve notes by David Katz.

For selectors, archivists, and reggae fans, the new 2LP delivers playable masters and visually rich packaging that make these foundational tracks easier to spin and study. Expect Chapter Two and further archival volumes to continue mapping Randy’s Records’ influence on ska, reggae, and dancehall.