Trojan Records: Soundtrack of a Revolution

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From Sound Systems to Singles: How It All Began

Trojan Records was founded in July 1968, during a cultural turning point in Britain, when Jamaican music was gaining traction in the UK. A collaboration between Lee Gopthal, the owner of Musicland record shops and Beat & Commercial distribution, and Island Records’ Chris Blackwell, the label was initially created to showcase music from legendary Jamaican producer Duke Reid. The name “Trojan” paid homage to Reid’s powerful sound system, famously mounted on British Trojan trucks with the motto: “The toughest sound around.”

Though the original Trojan imprint began with just eleven singles and was briefly shelved by Island, its resurrection months later sparked a revolution. Trojan quickly evolved into the most influential platform for Jamaican music in the UK, licensing hits directly from Jamaica and launching UK-based reggae acts. Throughout the late '60s and '70s, Trojan became a household name, helping to bring reggae, ska, and rocksteady to a global audience.

The bulk of the company’s successes came via licenses for Jamaican music supplied by producers such as Duke Reid, Harry Johnson, and Leslie Kong. While the company’s focus was firmly on the sale of 7” singles, it also launched a series of popular, budget-priced compilations such as Tighten Up, Club Reggae, and Reggae Chartbusters.

After several ownership changes—from Allied Records in the ’70s to Sanctuary Records in 2001, and eventually to BMG in 2013—Trojan’s catalog has remained one of the richest archives of Jamaican music. Distributed in Europe by BMG with Pias and with reissues via Townsend Music since 2017, Trojan continues to champion the legacy of reggae and sound system culture to this day.

Trojan’s Legacy

Trojan’s aggressive release schedule—sometimes five or more singles per week—led to success but also oversaturation.
By 1975, licensing issues, poor bookkeeping, and changing trends (toward roots reggae and Rastafarian themes) caused the company to stumble. It was eventually sold to Saga Records and would pass through several hands before landing under BMG today.

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PLAYLIST

1. The Pioneers – Long Shot (Kick De Bucket)

2. King Stitt & The Dynamites – Fire Corner

3. Clancy Eccles – Fattie Fattie

4. Clancy Eccles – Darling Don't Do That

5. Lloyd Robinson – Cuss Cuss

6. The Upsetters – Dollar in the Teeth

7. The Ethiopians – What a Big Surprise

8. The Reggae Boys – Mama Look Deh

9. Lloyd & Claudette – Queen of the World

10. Errol Dunkley – Darling Ooh

11. Dennis Alcapone – Ripe Cherry

12. Dandy Livingstone – Reggae in Your Jeggae

13. Harry J Allstars – Musical Weather

14. Symarip – Skinhead Moonstomp

15. U-Roy – Wet Vision

16. Al Brown & Skin Flesh & Bones – Here I Am Baby

17. Rudy Mills – John Jones

18. Brent Dowe – Share the Good Times

19. Hazel & The Jolly Boys & The Fugitives – Stop Them

20. The Untouchables – Tighten Up

21. The Baba Brooks Band – Guns Fever

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