The Trojan Records Story Sanctuary****

In the lists of great labels of our time, Trojan Records rarely get a mention. But you’d have to put them right in your top 10, especially after listening to this Lovingly assembled, artfully executed five-CD collection. Set up by, among others, Island Records supremo Chris Blackwell in 1968, Trojan was a one-stop shop for the best in ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub and dancehall. The social context is provided by an illuminating essay from Rhoda Dakar (you’ll remember her from The Bodysnatchers), so dive into the deep end and understand why the label broke acts such as Gregory Isaacs (perhaps the best ever lovers rock singer), John Holt, Toots and the Maytals and many more. You’ll be surprised by how many of these tracks you recognise – or have had their rhythm lines lifted by bigger acts. See trojanrecords. com

Download tracks: U Roy, Black Heart; Soul Syndicate, Natty Dread in Hong Kong; John Holt, Lovely Woman; Ansell Collins, Double or Nothing