Front Line (record label)
Encyclopedia
Front Line was a reggae
subsidiary of Virgin Records
established in 1978. Over forty albums were issued on the label before it folded in 1979.
had begun signing roots reggae
artists, and in the three years that followed, Virgin released successful albums by the likes of U-Roy
, The Mighty Diamonds
, Keith Hudson
, Johnny Clarke
, Peter Tosh
, and I Roy. Johnny Rotten is rumoured to have signed with Virgin because of the company's progressive policy towards reggae. In 1978, Branson decided to form a subsidiary label dedicated wholly to reggae, and called this Front Line.
Branson and Rotten travelled to Kingston
and signed artists to the label including Prince Far I
, Big Youth
, Prince Hammer, Tappa Zukie, Sly Dunbar
, and The Twinkle Brothers. Many of the artists who had previously released records on Virgin also moved to the new label. Front Line folded after two years although some of the artists remained signed to Virgin.
Many of the albums were reissued on compact disc
in the 2000s.
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
subsidiary of Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
established in 1978. Over forty albums were issued on the label before it folded in 1979.
History
Virgin had been releasing reggae records since BB Seaton's "Dancing Shoes" in 1974. By 1975, label owner Richard BransonRichard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
had begun signing roots reggae
Roots reggae
Roots reggae is a subgenre of reggae that deals with the everyday lives and aspirations of the artists concerned, including the spiritual side of Rastafari and with the honoring of God, called Jah by rastafarians. It also is identified with the life of the ghetto sufferer, and the rural poor...
artists, and in the three years that followed, Virgin released successful albums by the likes of U-Roy
U-Roy
U-Roy , OD, is a Jamaican musician, also known as The Originator. He is best known as a pioneer of toasting.-Biography:...
, The Mighty Diamonds
The Mighty Diamonds
Mighty Diamonds are a Jamaican harmony trio, recording roots reggae with a strong Rastafarian influence. The group, which comprised Donald "Tabby" Shaw, Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson, and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson, was formed in 1969, and remains together as of 2010...
, Keith Hudson
Keith Hudson
Keith Hudson aka the "Dark Prince of Reggae" , was a Jamaican reggae artist and record producer.He is known for his influence on the Dub movement.- Biography :...
, Johnny Clarke
Johnny Clarke
Johnny Clarke , Whitfield Town, Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae musician.-Biography:Clarke grew up in the Kingston ghetto of Whitfield Town. In 1971 he won a talent contest in Bull Bay, his prize a meeting with producer Clancy Eccles, with whom he recorded his first song, "God Made the Sea and the...
, Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh , was a Jamaican reggae musician who was a core member of the band The Wailers , and who afterward had a successful solo career as well as being a promoter of Rastafari.Peter Tosh was born in Grange Hill, Jamaica, an illegitimate child to a mother too young...
, and I Roy. Johnny Rotten is rumoured to have signed with Virgin because of the company's progressive policy towards reggae. In 1978, Branson decided to form a subsidiary label dedicated wholly to reggae, and called this Front Line.
Branson and Rotten travelled to Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
and signed artists to the label including Prince Far I
Prince Far I
Prince Far I was a Jamaican reggae deejay, producer and a Rastafarian. He was known for his gruff voice and critical assessment of the Jamaican government. His track "Heavy Manners" used lyrics against measures initiated towards violent crime.-Biography:He was born Michael James Williams in...
, Big Youth
Big Youth
Manley Augustus Buchanan , better known as Big Youth , is a Jamaican deejay, mostly known for his work during the 1970s....
, Prince Hammer, Tappa Zukie, Sly Dunbar
Sly Dunbar
Lowell "Sly" Fillmore Dunbar is a drummer.-Biography:Dunbar, whose nickname was reportedly given for his passion for Sly & the Family Stone, launched his musical career while still in his adolescence, playing with a local group, The Yardbrooms, at the age of fifteen...
, and The Twinkle Brothers. Many of the artists who had previously released records on Virgin also moved to the new label. Front Line folded after two years although some of the artists remained signed to Virgin.
Many of the albums were reissued on compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
in the 2000s.
7-inch singles
- FLS 101: I Roy - "Fire Stick" / "Casmas Town" (1978)
- FLS 102: The GladiatorsThe Gladiators (band)The Gladiators are a Jamaican roots reggae band, most popular during the 1970s. The core was Albert Griffiths , Clinton Fearon and Dallimore Sutherland bass guitar and singer. The two most famous albums are Trenchtown Mix Up and Proverbial Reggae with songs as "Hearsay", "Jah Works", "Dreadlocks...
- "Stick a Bush" / "Music Makers from Jamaica" (1978) - FLS 103: Jah Lloyd the Black LionJah LloydJah Lloyd, aka Jah Lion, The Black Lion of Judah, and Jah Ali was a reggae singer, deejay and producer.-Biography:...
- "This Ya Sound" / "Upfull Rastaman" (1978) - FLS 104: The Twinkle Brothers - "Free Africa" (1978)
- FLS 105: Sly DunbarSly DunbarLowell "Sly" Fillmore Dunbar is a drummer.-Biography:Dunbar, whose nickname was reportedly given for his passion for Sly & the Family Stone, launched his musical career while still in his adolescence, playing with a local group, The Yardbrooms, at the age of fifteen...
- "A Who Say" / "Cocaine Cocaine" (1978) - FLS 106: Prince Hammer - "Bible" / "Morwell Esquire" (1978)
- FLS 107: Althea & DonnaAlthea & DonnaAlthea & Donna were a Jamaican reggae singing duo, best known for their 1977 single "Uptown Top Ranking" which was a number one hit in the United Kingdom in 1978.-Career:...
- "Puppy Dog Song" / "Sorry" (1978) - FLS 108: Joyella Blade - "Cairo" (1978)
- FLS 109: Tappa Zukie - "She Want a Phensic" / "Rastaman Skank" (1978)
- FLS 110: Althea & Donna - "Going to Negril" / "The West" (1978)
- FLS 111: The Gladiators - "Dreadlocks the Time is Now" / "Pocket Money" (1978)
- FLS 112: Prince Far IPrince Far IPrince Far I was a Jamaican reggae deejay, producer and a Rastafarian. He was known for his gruff voice and critical assessment of the Jamaican government. His track "Heavy Manners" used lyrics against measures initiated towards violent crime.-Biography:He was born Michael James Williams in...
- "No More War" (1978) - FLS 113: The AbyssiniansThe AbyssiniansThe Abyssinians are a Jamaican roots reggae group, famous for their close harmonies and promotion of the Rastafari movement in their lyrics.-History:...
- "Hey You" / "This Land is for Everyone" (1978) - FLS 114: Vivian Weathers - "Hip Hug" (1978)
- FLS 115: Tappa Zukie - "Oh Lord" / "First Street Rock" (1978)
- FLS 116: CultureCulture (band)Culture was a Jamaican roots reggae group founded in 1976. Originally they were known as the African Disciples.The members of the trio were Joseph Hill , Albert Walker and Kenneth Dayes ....
- "Natty Get Weary" (1978) - FLS 117: The Twinkle Brothers - "Distant Drums" (1978)
- FLS 118: The Gladiators - "Struggle" / "Parises to the Most High" (1979)
- FLS 119: The Twinkle Brothers - "Keep on Trying" / "Keep on Dubbing" (1979)
- FLS 125: Culture - "International Herb" / "Down in Jamaica" (1979)
- FLS 126: The Gladiators - "Holiday Ride" / "No Disturbance" (1979)
10-inch singles
- FBL 3001: Various Artists - "Various" (1978)
- FCL 5001: The Twinkle Brothers - "Love" (1978)
12-inch singles
- FLS 11912: The Twinkle Brothers - "Keep on Trying" / "King Pharaoh" (1979)
- FLS 12012: Sly DunbarSly DunbarLowell "Sly" Fillmore Dunbar is a drummer.-Biography:Dunbar, whose nickname was reportedly given for his passion for Sly & the Family Stone, launched his musical career while still in his adolescence, playing with a local group, The Yardbrooms, at the age of fifteen...
- "Rasta Fiesta" / "Dirty Harry" (1979) - FLS 12112: Gregory IsaacsGregory IsaacsGregory Anthony Isaacs was a Jamaican reggae musician. Milo Miles, writing in the New York Times, described Isaacs as "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae". His nicknames include Cool Ruler and Lonely Lover....
- "Soon Forward" / Gregory Isaacs & Prince Far I - "Uncle Joe" / "Come Off Mi Toe" (1979) - FLS 12212: The Mighty DiamondsThe Mighty DiamondsMighty Diamonds are a Jamaican harmony trio, recording roots reggae with a strong Rastafarian influence. The group, which comprised Donald "Tabby" Shaw, Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson, and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson, was formed in 1969, and remains together as of 2010...
- "Bodyguard" / "One Brother Short" (1979) - FLS 12312: The Twinkle Brothers - "Jahoviah" / "Free Africa" (1979)
- FLS 12412: I Roy - "Fire in a Wire" / "Hill and Gully" (1979)
12-inch singles VOLE SERIES
- Vole 1: Dr. Alimantado - "Slavery Let it Go" / "Find the One" (1978)
- Vole 2: U-ROY - "Small Axe" / "Small Axe" (1978)
- Vole 4: U-Brown - "Black Star Liner" / "River John Mountain" (1978)
- Vole 5: U-ROY - "Live at the Lyceum" / ".." (1978)
- Vole 6: Sly - "A Who Say" / "Cocaine Cocaine" (1978)
- Vole 7: Althea & Donna - "Going to the Negril" / "The West" (1978)
Albums
- FL 1001: I Roy - Heart of a Lion (1978)
- FL 1002: The Gladiators - Proverbial ReggaeProverbial ReggaeProverbial Reggae was the second album by Jamaican Roots Reggae band The Gladiators, recorded and released in 1978 on Virgin Records' Front Line imprint...
(1978) - FL 1003: U BrownU BrownU Brown aka New Roy, Hugh Brown, Nuroy is a reggae deejay who released eleven albums between 1976 and 1984.-Biography:...
- Mr. Brown Something (1978) - FL 1004: Prince Hammer - Bible (1978)
- FL 1005: Jah Lloyd the Black Lion - The Humble One (1978)
- FL 1006: Tappa Zukie - MPLA (1978)
- FL 1008: Sly Dunbar - Simple Sly Man (1978)
- FL 1009: Tappa Zukie - Peace in the Ghetto (1978)
- FL 1010: The Icebreakers with The DiamondsThe Mighty DiamondsMighty Diamonds are a Jamaican harmony trio, recording roots reggae with a strong Rastafarian influence. The group, which comprised Donald "Tabby" Shaw, Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson, and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson, was formed in 1969, and remains together as of 2010...
- Planet Mars Dub (1978) - FL 1011: Big YouthBig YouthManley Augustus Buchanan , better known as Big Youth , is a Jamaican deejay, mostly known for his work during the 1970s....
- Isaiah First Prophet of OldIsaiah First Prophet of Old-Track listing:-Personnel:* Big Youth - Main Performer, Vocals, Percussion,* Rita Marley - Vocals* Earl "Chinna" Smith - Guitar* Earl Lindo - Clarinet, Keyboards, Organ* Tony Chin - Guitar* Vin Gordon - Trombone* Sylvan Morris - Engineer, Percussion...
(1978) - FL 1012: Althea & Donna - Uptown Top Ranking (1978)
- FL 1013: Prince Far I - Message from the KingMessage from the KingMessage from the King is a reggae album by Prince Far I and the Arabs, released in 1978.-Side one:#"Message from the King"#"The Dream"#"Commandment of Drugs"#"Moses, Moses"#"Black Man Land"-Personnel:...
(1978) - FL 1014: Big Youth - Dreadlocks DreadDreadlocks DreadDread Locks Dread is the third album by Jamaican deejay Big Youth.-Track listing:All tracks by Big Youth & Tony Robinson# "Train to Rhodesia" – 3:33# "House of Dread Locks" – 3:17# "Lightning Flash " – 3:21...
(1978) - FL 1015: Ranking Trevor - In Fine Style (1978)
- FL 1016: Culture - Harder Than The Rest (1978)
- FL 1017: Poet & the RootsLinton Kwesi JohnsonLinton Kwesi Johnson is a UK-based dub poet. He became the second living poet, and the only black poet, to be published in the Penguin Classics series. His poetry involves the recitation of his own verse in Jamaican Patois over dub-reggae, usually written in collaboration with renowned British...
- Dread Beat an' BloodDread Beat an' BloodDread Beat an' Blood is an album by Poet And The Roots released in 1978 on the Frontline label. It was produced by Vivian Weathers and Linton Kwesi Johnson. The Poet is dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson and The Roots are Dennis Bovell, Jah Bunny, Desmond Craig, Winston Curniffe, Everald Forrest, Floyd...
(1978) - FL 1018: U-RoyU-RoyU-Roy , OD, is a Jamaican musician, also known as The Originator. He is best known as a pioneer of toasting.-Biography:...
- Version Galore (1978) - FL 1019: The Abyssinians - Arise (1978)
- FL 1020: Gregory Isaacs - Cool RulerCool RulerCool Ruler is a 1978 album by Gregory Isaacs, his first released on the Virgin Records subsidiary Front Line. The Jamaican release was on Isaacs' African Museum imprint. The album was produced by Isaacs and mixed by Lancelot "Maxie" McKenzie at Channel One Studios in Kingston, Jamaica. Of the...
(1978) - FL 1021: Prince Far I - Long LifeLong Life-Track listing:All tracks composed and arranged by Michael Williams#"Daughters of Zion"#"Right Way"#"Black Starliner Must Come"#"Praise Him With Psalms"#"In Your Walking Remember Jah Jah"#"Farmyard"#"Love One Another"#"Who Have Eyes to See"#"So Long"...
(1978) - FL 1023: U-Roy - Jah Son of Africa (1978)
- FL 1025: Vivian Weathers - Bad Weather (1978)
- FL 1028: I Roy - Ten Commandments (1978)
- FL 1029: Tappa Zukie - In Dub (1978)
- FL 1030: U Brown - Can't Keep a Good Man Down (1978)
- FL 1031: Jah Lloyd - Black Moses (1978)
- FL 1032: Tappa Zukie - Tapper Roots (1978)
- FL 1033: I Roy - World on Fire (1978)
- FL 1034: Various Artists - Hottest Hits (from the vaults of Treasure Island) (1979)
- FL 1035: The Gladiators - Naturality (1979)
- FL 1040: Culture - Cumbolo (1979)
- FL 1041: The Twinkle Brothers - Praise Jah (1979)
- FL 1042: Sly Dunbar - Sly Wicked and Slick (1979)
- FL 1044: Gregory Isaacs - Soon Forward (1979)
- FL 1045: The Mighty Diamonds - Deeper Roots (Back to the Channel) (1979)
- FL 1047: Culture - International Herb (1979)
- FL 1048: The Gladiators - Sweet So Till (1979)
- FLX 4001: I Roy - Cancer (1979)
- FLX 4002: Prince Far I - Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Part 2Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Part 2Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Part 2 is a 1979 reggae album by Prince Far I. It was recorded at Harry J's studio in Kingston, Jamaica and mixed by Prince Jammy...
(1979) - FLX 4003: The Twinkle Brothers - Love (1979)
- FLX 4004: U-Roy - With Words of Wisdom (1979)
- FLD 6002: I Roy - The General /Spider's Web (dub) (1979)
- FLB 3001: Various Artists - The Front Line II (1978)
- FLB 3002: Various Artists - The Front Line III (1979)