search for something...

search for something you might like...

Outsideleft Reissue of 2021: The Trojan Story Jay Lewis unearths a giant gem in a box

Outsideleft Reissue of 2021: The Trojan Story

Jay Lewis unearths a giant gem in a box

by Jay Lewis, Reviews Editor
first published: December, 2021

approximate reading time: minutes

It's a story that begins in 1957...

The Trojan Story
Various Artists
(Trojan Records)

I first saw the fabulous Trojan Records logo when I was about three years old. I'd developed an early interest in the pictures, the writing, and the colours of record labels, and this one has left a huge impression on me. The logo is on the label of the single 'Black and White' by Greyhound which had arrived in my house because, apparently, I would sing along with it when it was on the radio. I'm not too bothered about the fact that I've zero recollection of the singing-along ever happening, I'm just fixated with the look of the record.

It's not Greyhound's hit single version of ‘Black and White’ that's featured on the 50th-anniversary, 50 track reissue of 'The Trojan Story', but a 'rootsier' cover by The Maytones that, according to label owner Rob Bell, showed how artists from 'the Jamaican scene could cover a hot hit'. Not only is it a wonderful interpretation but it fits perfectly into the story that Bell was telling with the collection.

maytalsIt is a story that begins in 1957 with 'mento' (a Jamaican style of calypso) star, Lord Tanamo's enticing 'Invitation to Jamaica' before leading on to one of Jimmy Cliff's first-ever recordings (he was 14 when he sang the shuffling blues of 'Miss Jamaica'), as well as some familiar names (Desmond Dekker, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and such notable numbers like The Ethiopians 'Train to Skaville' and The Maytals 'Pressure Drop'). However,  ‘The Trojan Story’ was never intended as a greatest hits collection to rival the 'Tighten Up' or the 'Reggae Chartbusters' series. The narrative history of Jamaican music takes precedence here and, as Bell points out in the introduction to the compilation that '...the emphasis here was to be more on art than commerce.'

Despite this, 'The Trojan Story' was a huge success upon release. The  compilation was deleted for many years and faithful reissue acts as a time capsule. It is a capsule that was sealed shut after The Maytones recorded 'Black and White' in 1971, and so doesn't stray into including the overly familiar numbers that were covered during the ska boom of the late 1970s/early 1980s (only Dandy Livingstone's ' Rudy, A Message to You' is included). Also, as detailed liner notes and essays on reissues can often err on the self-congratulatory, here there is an emphasis on the authoritative - and the extensive archive photographs of artists and original sleeves show what a labour of love this project was to assemble.  

‘The Trojan Story’ is pure joy.

Jay Lewis
Reviews Editor

Jay Lewis is a Birmingham based poet. He's also a music, movie and arts obsessive. Jay's encyclopedic knowledge of 80s/90s Arts films is a debt to his embedded status in the Triangle Arts Centre trenches back then.


about Jay Lewis »»

Pete Williams web banner

RECENT STORIES

RANDOM READS

All About and Contributors

HELP OUTSIDELEFT

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

WRITERS thru' the Years

Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Cassie Thomas, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, David O'Byrne, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Rich, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Jonathan Thornton, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Kleo Kay, Lake, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Martin Devenney, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, Mike Fox, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard John Walker, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Trevi, Urs Lerch, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & Lamontpaul

OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE

Last NIght of the LTB Showrooms
OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
weekend

outsideleft content is not for everyone