Life Between Islands double CD album

Chosen by Lauren Laverne as compliation album of the week on her BBC Radio 6 Music breakfast show

This two CD album has been compiled by Soul Jazz Records inspired by and in honour of Tate Britain’s Life Between Islands exhibition. Exploring the most important Black British musical styles to emerge out of the distinctly Caribbean world of sound systems, the album is a journey through Roots Reggae, Jungle/Drum & Bass, Jazz-Funk, Lovers Rock, Jazz, Dubstep and more.

‘There is probably no better or more appropriate way to celebrate Tate Britain’s exhibition, “Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 1950s – Now”, than with an accompanying compilation album. As with the art itself, music has all the possibilities to reflect its surroundings through an array of lenses limited only by the creator’s imagination. Hence this astutely conceived and compiled soundtrack is as beautiful and as varied as the art itself, offering stories of immigration and settlement that can exist without filters or outside interference, providing a vivid snapshot of one of the cornerstones of black British culture.’ – Lloyd Bradley, author

Many of the tracks represent how Black British artists defined their own identity with songs such as Brown Sugar’s righteous ‘Black Pride’, ‘I’m In Love with A Dreadlocks’ and Tabby Cat Kelly’s powerful ‘Don’t Call Us Immigrants’. As well as being musically rooted in the distinctly Jamaican-born phenomenon of the sound system, much of this identity is also shaped by the triangular relationship of being British-born, of Caribbean heritage, and with an equal love of African-American Jazz, Funk and Soul.

Sub-titled ‘Soundsystem Culture – Black Musical Expression 1973-2006’ this deluxe double CD album comes complete with slipcase and digital release. Lloyd Bradley (author of Bass Culture and Sounds Like London), provides the excellent sleeve notes, accompanied by exclusive photography.

Tracklisting:

1. Black Slate - Sticks Man (3.36)
2. Dee Sharp - Rising To The Top (4.44)
3. Asher Senator - One Bible (5.01)
4. Cymande - Fug (4.27)
5. Digital Mystikz - Misty Winter (4.54)
6. Winston Curtis - Be Thankful For What You’ve Got (5.37)
7. Trevor Hartley - It Must Be Love (3.24)
8. Shut Up and Dance - Java Bass (3.49)
9. Brown Sugar - Black Pride (3.25)
10. The Terrorist - RK1 (6.26)
11. Black Harmony - Don’t Let It Go To Your Head (7.20)
12. Pebbles - Positive Vibrations (3.47)
13. Ragga Twins - Ragga Trip (4.37)
14. Funk Masters - Love Money (6.30)
15. Cosmic Idren - Compelled (3.37)
16. Harry Beckett - No Time For Hello (8.44)
17. Janet Kay and Alton Ellis - Still In Love (3.30)
18. Sandra Reid - Ooh Boy (3.49)
19. Tabby Cat Kelly – Don’t Call Us Immigrants (5.53)
20. Brown Sugar – I’m In Love With A Dreadlocks (3.23)

• Exhibition Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 1950s – Now