The third in the acclaimed Island Book of Records series chronicles 1971–72, two years that saw the label secure a position at the forefront of contemporary music around the world.Major albums from Cat Stevens, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Jethro Tull brought international success. Traffic released their era-defining The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys and Island returned to its roots with the soundtrack to the most important Jamaican film of all time, The Harder They Come. Nick Drake’s masterpieces Bryter Layter and Pink Moon were yet to find their audience, but a new sensation emerged as Roxy Music released their first LP. Meanwhile, Bob Marley & The Wailers were beginning to record Catch A Fire – the album that will be the first to be detailed in IBoR IV.Featuring material from recent interviews and comment of the time, and including a comprehensive discography of 45s, The Island Book of Records Volume III is lavishly illustrated with album art, gig adverts, tickets, flyers, international LP variants, rare photos, LP and 45 adverts and exclusive ephemera.
Neil Storey has spent almost fifty years at the heart of the music industry. He joined the Island sales force in 1974 before going on to co-run the press office into the mid-1980s.
Preface – Breakfast at Tiffany’sGo your own ways – the parting of the ways with TrojanTraffic 1971: life in a year – Round the mulberry bushButterfly boys and girls – Chrysalis emerges (part two)Basing St – a licensing map of the worldGlastonbury fayre ’71On the road to find out - with Cat Stevens 1971–72The story of Sound TechniquesBasing St – more musicIsland artists – booking out the bandsYoung, gifted and broke – Bob Marley, Bunny Livingstone and Peter Tosh are stranded in LondonEl pea – every Island, Chrysalis, Bronze and Blue Thumb album issued between1971–72, as well as those that didn’t make the final cutEmerson, Lake & Palmer: said hello, waving goodbye – awards, Persian rugs, world domination and farewellCataloguing – the original Island Book of Records is inventedMalaga, mice And Mott The Hoople – Visualeyes move in to Blenheim CrescentThe bronze age – Gerry Bron signs on the linePrefix and suffix – an illustrated guide to the 45s of the eraAn A-W of some Island peopleGive thanks and praise
