Our first release was in October 1987 (in fact,
it was ready at the time when the great storm took place!) this was under the
auspices of our initial company, Next Step Records. This in fact was the
excellent 12" 33.3 EP from Skaville Train - Return of The Black Panther/Reefer
Madness (Top Beat POTT 001-now deleted).
Other 12" EP releases followed from Skaville Train, Mike Brooks etc; (on our JJB
and Top Beat labels) during 1988/89. In the early1990's Next Step progressed
with many 7" 45's and some albums from Skaville Train, Mike Brooks, Icho Candy,
(the late) Devon Russell, Earl 16, Bobby Aitken and many others.
During 1994 the company was restructured and emerged as Top Beat Records (UK)
Ltd and the first release was the Hi-Tech Roots Dynamics Dub Album - Tokyo Dub
(1994) produced by Martin Campbell. Many other Dub albums from the Hi-Tech's
followed in the ensuing years. The Trybute label was also inducted in 1995 with
album/7"EP releases from Rico, Laurel Aitken, Derrick Morgan etc; which set the
precedent for future releases.
In 1998 Reggae Retro was formulated as a label (then later as a separate
company) with releases from Rico and Laurel Aitken. Martin Campbell/Hi-Tech's
popularity was also increasing from '98 onwards and subsequently the Channel One
(UK) label was set up to issue their releases.
In October 2002 the company reverted back to the 1998 formula and from this
point forward all releases are issued on the Reggae Retro label again. Mainly
due to Martin doing his own thing now and continuing his solo work using the
Channel One label.
During 2005 restructuring of the company took place again and now going forward
through 2006 we fly under the banner of ACL2000 Ltd, yet retain the old label
name Reggae Retro for many of our releases.
We are also happy to say that Martin Campbell has returned to the fold and many
of his fine releases are featured again in the catalogue.
What the future holds for us, only time will tell. These are difficult days for
the small companies, yet it is our determination to stand our ground and
continue to support the smaller artists and those who have been neglected by the
major labels.
Long live Reggae music and the message it brings to the world!
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