711 . ird I I 11VkJ 1 1V1.111111 1_ 11V V

guage descended from the drum, their politi- cally charged songs give us all a deeper under- BRINGING FRESH AND FORWARD standing of black and African culture. It can't be called rap. It can't be called R &B. It's a new MUSIC TO THE '90s state of being, incorporating funk and religion. They can't be called rappers. They can't be By MIKE BONE, President, ISLAND RECORDS called a group. They're messengers of a move- ment, united in culture and spirit. Dino: He will have a new album this year to follow his near platinum debut that closed the decade. He's truly a man with a mission. He writes, arranges, produces and performs all his own material. Robert Owens: This artist has carved a niche for himself in the underground dance club scenes of two continents. He's ready to break ISLAND wide open, and whatever he does is an indica- tor of what's going to happen on the club scene. Ar LaQuan: This young artist will be known real Stevie Salas Colorcode soon. It's groundbreaking rap music with pow- e. erful lyrics that reflect the thoughts of a seri- ous, socially conscious 16- year -old. This year Island Records celebrates 28 years For more than 15 years now, people have as one of the world's pioneering record la- looked to Mango records for the most exten- bels. Few record companies can boast the his- sive and cultural roster of reggae, African, and tory and reputation of Island. Founded in ANTI LLESE South American artists. Our commitment to 1962, Island has played a significant role in these music styles from around the world only changing the face of the music industry, while gets stronger. We have so many exciting and along the way establishing an artist roster that important new projects in the hopper. is the envy of most major companies. In the We have albums just released or coming presentation of its music, Island has traditional- and Western Europe already, there's not a sin- Anthrax: Their new album will be released in soon from: Chaba Fadela and Cheb Sahraoui, ly offered its artists an unprecedented creative gle home over there that doesn't have a well the third quarter, and there are a hell of a lot of the undisputed superstars of Rai (the popular freedom. The company quickly became the worn copy of their new album "Colours." We're people who just can't wait. These guys truly music of Algeria). They've transformed a tradi- yardstick for all that followed: It is simply the releasing it here this summer. It's beautiful. present their own brand of street -level rock. It's tional sound into a tough urban music. A new most creative and innovative of companies. That's really the best way to describe it. This kind of like a steamroller coming down the African force in reggae, Adioa, comprises artist From roots in Jamaica to involvement in the group takes elements from soul, pop, blues and street at 1,000 miles per hour. members from Senegal, Martinique and Guade- British rock scene of the late '60s, Island con- contemporary rock music, but the core of their Island's urban, black, R &B (or whatever you loupe. Brazilian pop star Magareth Menezes solidated its reputation for fine music and ag- music is the power of the human voice. We've want to call it) music is also very exciting at the mixes Brazilian and African roots with an inter- gressive marketing by building great bands and never heard anything quite as forceful. opening of the decade as well. national flavor and sound, and Bhundu Boys, artists throughout the '70s and '80s. We also have important new releases from Is- Mica Paris is a beautiful song stylist with a Zimbabwe's major attraction, are amazingly Over the history of the company, the artist land mainstays that will take us into 1991: great future ahead of her. Her second album talented contemporary African musicians. roster has been fabulous: Steve Winwood with will be released this year. And, last but certainly not least, our Antilles both the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic, and Miles Jaye continues to make inroads. He label continues to release some of the most subsequently as a solo artist, U2, Bob Marley & has an uncanny ability to write and perform tra- critically acclaimed and commercially success- the Wailers, Melissa Etheridge, Robert Palmer, ditional and progressive R &B tunes with style ful jazz recordings of our time. Grace Jones, Third World, Frankie Goes To Hol- and grace. Frank Morgan is considered by those who lywood, Sly & Robbie, Tom Waits, Cat Stevens, Will Downing will be moving in a daring new matter to be the best alto saxophonist alive to- and Black Uhuru to name a few. The list goes direction with a new jazz vocal project this year. day. Everybody has been talking about Frank's on and on. By All Means presently have a second top 10 new record. And Courtney Pine's current re- Now, entering the '90s as part of the Poly - black single off their current album. This group lease showcases his own material and explores Gram Corp., we maintain our A &R philosophy is a production and songwriting powerhouse. the classic repertoire of great American com- while moving forward. We continue to value art- On the independent side, our 4th & B'way la- posers like Johnny Mercer and Duke Ellington. istry over commercialism and we stay sympa- bel contines to present exciting and meaningful There is no end in sight to our commitment thetic to the artists' visions, giving them as new dance and rap artists. to bring fresh and forward music to the public much musical autonomy as possible. Boo -Yaa T.R.I.B.E.: These six rappin' Samoan in the 1990s. We're going to do everything in With our family of labels set up to bring a brothers from L.A.'s south side are going to be our power to insure that the world's sharpest broad scope to each genre of popular music in a household name in no time. These guys are the marketplace, Island is prepared to continue so visual, and they are a real band, not just to bring a wealth of trendsetting music to the turntables and mikes. There's really been noth- public in the 1990s. ing at all like them until now. Island Records continues to build its roster X -Clan: They are a good example of our phi- of innovative and exciting pop, rock, and R &B losophy that music is to be enjoyed, but also an artists. Recent and upcoming new artist proj- X-Clan education. Using music as the universal Ian- ects that we are extremely excited about in- clude: Marianne Faithful!: The new live recording of Robert Owens Stevie Salas Colorcode: Stevie is an inventive her St. Ann's Cathedral performances last fall guitarist, an expressive singer, and a standout is about to be released. It features live versions producer and songwriter. He's a star for the of all her signature tunes and the production is '90s with his hard -hitting mix of musical styles. unbelievable. It's really her musical life story. Heretix: This four member band writes and Etta James: We believe that Etta is as influen- performs loud, powerful and sexy modern mu- tial to blues and rock'n'roll today as she was in sic with a hammerhead beat and a righteous 1955. She has so much to offer. Her new rec- voice. ord mixes southern sounds from the '60s with Kimm Rogers: She's prolific, clever and poi- street sounds of today, and it's absolutely time- gnant. With her unique and distinctive voice, less. Kimm stands at the forefront of a new decade Buckwheat Zydeco: We're ready to release of talented young singer/songwriters. his third Island album. Everyone's excited. His And Why Not ?: This new group may well be fan base continues to build and build. His Kimm Rogers destined to be all things to all people. These heavily rhythmic Creole music is always fresh guys are as likely to include a basic reggae and exciting and so much fun. independent company is the world's sharpest rhythm as a tempered Black Sabbath rock riff John Mayall: This artist has impeccable taste major company as part of the PolyGram family. in their material. After two top 40 hits in the and we love being associated with that. His new With the support of Chris Blackwell, one of the U.K. we're now ready to release them here in album will please diehard fans, but it's also go- most creative people in the music business, the U.S. The U.K. media has compared their ing to do a lot to introduce his familiar name to and our ability to pre -empt trends and broader lead vocalist to Chuck Berry, their soul groove a growing appreciative audience. tendencies while holding on to a core of long- to George Michael, their vocal harmonies to the Drivin' 'n' Cryin': This young American com- term quality acts, we're set. Housemartins, their guitars to the Clash, and bo is truly inspired! They embody the poetic We'll continue to provide music that cap- on and on. I think they sound like themselves. soul of the South and the fiercely independent tures the heart and mind, and we'll do it with The Christians: A huge success in the U.K. spirit of the garage era. unfailing good taste.

BILLBOARD JUNE 30, 1990 A Billboard Spotlight W-25