The Most Honourable Edward Seaga, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, is not just a formidable politician. Before going into politics and being called to lead the Jamaican Labour Party (from 1974 to 2005) and then the affairs of the nation (from 1980 to 1989), he owned the WIRL label (West India Records Limited). He would enjoy several successes (Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, Joe Higgs & Roy Wilson, Slim Smith…), before selling it to Byron Lee once elected to Parliament, who renamed it Dynamic Sounds.
The VP Records label entrusted him with the selection of this four-disc compilation, "Reggae Golden Jubilee: Origins Of Jamaican Music", which traces the history of Jamaican music.
From Jimmy Cliff to Mavado, by way of Alton Ellis, Bob Marley, Buju Banton and Tarrus Riley, 100 tracks are spread across the four discs of the compilation.
Of course, a reggae fan will find few surprises in this rather well-judged selection. The booklet, however, is not without interest: 68 pages of track-by-track notes written by Edward Seaga himself, and forewords by journalists and writers Dermot Husey and John Masouri.
Please note: "Golden Reggae Jubilee" will be available on 5 November in Great Britain, on the 6th in the United States, and on the 9th in Germany. There is still no physical release planned in France before 2013. Fans will therefore have to fall back on the digital format.