A gateway to the rich history of Jamaican recorded music

Founded in London in 1968, Trojan Records became one of the most important British labels dedicated to Jamaican music. Working with producers and labels across Jamaica, Trojan licensed and distributed recordings that introduced reggae, rocksteady, ska and dub to a wider audience in the United Kingdom and beyond, helping to document a pivotal period in the development of the island's popular music.

Named after the Trojan trucks used by Jamaican producer Duke Reid to transport sound system equipment, the label built an extensive catalogue that reflected the breadth of Jamaican recording during the late 1960s and 1970s. Its releases ranged from chart successes to lesser-known singles and albums, bringing together music from many of the era's most respected artists, producers and vocal groups.

The label's catalogue includes recordings by artists such as Desmond Dekker, Toots and the Maytals, The Melodians, The Ethiopians, The Upsetters, and numerous productions associated with Lee "Scratch" Perry, King Tubby and other influential figures in Jamaican music. Alongside original releases, Trojan's carefully curated compilations have introduced successive generations of listeners to the depth and diversity of reggae and its related styles.

For vinyl collectors, Trojan Records offers a broad introduction to Jamaican music, spanning the energetic rhythms of ska, the vocal harmonies of rocksteady, the social and spiritual themes of roots reggae, and the studio innovation of dub. Original UK pressings, early compilations and thoughtfully assembled reissues each provide different ways to explore the catalogue.

More than a record label, Trojan represents an important archive of Jamaican popular music and its cultural exchange with Britain. Its catalogue continues to provide a valuable starting point for collectors interested in exploring the artists, producers and recordings that shaped reggae's international history.