Various artists - This Is Trojan 50!

The Guardian 80

Trojan’s releases introduced the UK to reggae, deejaying, toasting, lovers rock, dancehall – and Five Star’s dad. This is an immaculately curated collection of a golden era

It is fitting that Trojan Records should mark its 50th birthday with such a serious look at its history – included in this lavish box set are almost 200 tracks across three different formats, plus a 12in slipmat; a poster; a sew-on patch, a wooden 7in single adapter and an illustrated hardcover book detailing the label’s history. As anybody who has scratched below the surface of the historic label will have discovered, there was always much more to Trojan than early-model skinheads bopping to a high-stepping beat, or reggae brightened up on Top of the Pops as pure polyester, flares and shirt collars measured in acreage.

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