Heartbeat

Since its launch in 1981, Heartbeat Records has become a benchmark of quality in reggae, widely respected for releasing the best in Jamaican popular music. Heartbeat's catalog is the nearest to a definitive canon of Jamaican popular music, one that is unmatched in its depth and scope. <p>Founded by reggae enthusiasts, Duncan Browne and Bill Nowlin, the label kicked off with a trio of releases by <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=2762">Linton Kwesi Johnson</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=20">Big Youth</a>, and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=2802">Mikey Dread</a>. From these beginnings, Heartbeat has grown into one of the world's premier reggae labels, boasting a catalogue of over 240 titles that embrace all genres and eras of Jamaican popular music, from ska and rock steady to roots reggae, dub, and dancehall. Included in the Heartbeat catalogue are scores of classic albums by all of the greatest names in reggae, from <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=26">Bob Marley</a> and the <a href="artistDetail.jsp?aid=297">Wailers</a> and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=896">Culture</a> to <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=36">Everton Blender</a> and <a href="artistDetail.jsp?aid=291">Beres Hammond</a>. Heartbeat is one of the few reggae labels that have succeeded in both "vintage" and "contemporary" markets. With its unique combination of old and new Jamaican music, Heartbeat has taken reggae into the 21st century. <p>Heartbeat prides itself on being the first, and the original reggae reissue label, pioneering the CD reissue of classic Jamaican music long before it was fashionable or profitable. Heartbeat's reissues include thousands of vintage tracks from labels like <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=135">Treasure Isle</a> and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=334">High Note</a>, and from veteran producers such as <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=31">Lee Perry</a>, Sonia Pottinger, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=239">Joe Gibbs</a>, Alvin Ranglin, Lloyd Daley, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=2487">Clancy Eccles</a>, and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=203">Niney The Observer</a>. <p>Heartbeat, however, is much more than just an "oldies" label. In 2003 Heartbeat formed an alliance with top dancehall producers Colin "Bulby" York and Lynford "Fatta" Marshall. Known in reggae circles by their <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=174">Fat Eyes</a> imprint, over the last ten years both Bulby and Fatta have appeared either as producers or mixing engineers on a good percentage of top-selling dancehall songs or albums, working with artists like <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=290">Sean Paul</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=397">Sizzla</a>, <a href="artistDetail.jsp?aid=310">Capleton</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=305">Buju Banton</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=294">Elephant Man</a>, Beres Hammond, and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=287">Beenie Man</a>. And Heartbeat continues to release new music by reggae veterans like <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=896">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=60">Gregory Isaacs</a>, and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=197">Michael Rose</a>, as well as newer talent like <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=36">Everton Blender</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=391">Spanner Banner</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=415">Richie Spice</a>, and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=2372">Alpheus</a>.