Heartbeat Records
Independent label specializing in Jamaican music since 1981.
Heartbeat Records is an independent label based in Burlington, Massachusetts, focused on Jamaican music. It was started by reggae fans Bill Nowlin and Duncan Brown, who put out their first record in 1981: a vinyl LP reissue of The Congos' *Heart of the Congos*. In 1983, Chris Wilson joined as VP of A&R, and the label began working with Studio One founder Clement Dodd. That year, they released *Best of Studio One*, a compilation of Dodd-produced tracks by artists such as Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis, The Gladiators, Marcia Griffiths, The Heptones, Slim Smith, Sugar Minott, and Johnny Osbourne. Heartbeat has since issued more than 60 Studio One albums. The label also licensed music from Jamaican producers including Lee "Scratch" Perry, Joe Gibbs, Sonia Pottinger, Clancy Eccles, Alvin Ranglin, Duke Reid, Niney the Observer, Sly & Robbie, Steely & Clevie, and Lloyd Daley. In 1996, Heartbeat financed and booked the Heartbeat Culture Splash Tour, which featured Michael Rose, Sister Carol, the Meditations, Derrick Morgan, and the S.A.N.E. band across the United States. In 2000, Burning Spear's *Calling Rastafari* (1999) won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album, though the award goes to the artist and producers, not the label; the album was later deleted from the catalog. That same year, *Boston* magazine named Heartbeat Records Best Record Label in its Best of Boston 2000 awards. In January 2007, the label moved to Burlington, Massachusetts, and launched the Heartbeat Reggae Podcast and website.
Quick Facts
- Parent
- Rounder Records
- Founder
- Duncan Browne, Bill Nowlin
- Distributor
- Universal Music Group
- Genre
- Ska, rocksteady, reggae, dancehall, dub
- Country
- U.S.
- Location
- Burlington, Massachusetts
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Heartbeat Records was founded by reggae music enthusiasts Bill Nowlin and Duncan Brown. Their first release was a vinyl LP reissue of The Congos' 'Heart of the Congos' in 1981. In 1983, Chris Wilson was hired as VP of A&R, and the label began their association with Studio One label founder Clement Dodd, releasing 'Best of Studio One', a compilation of Dodd-produced music by artists including Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis, The Gladiators, Marcia Griffiths, The Heptones, Slim Smith, Sugar Minott, and Johnny Osbourne. The label licensed music from a number of different Jamaican producers including Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Joe Gibbs, Sonia Pottinger, Clancy Eccles, Alvin Ranglin, Duke Reid, Niney the Observer, Sly & Robbie, Steely & Clevie, and Lloyd Daley.
Reader's Guide
Heartbeat Records played a significant role in preserving and distributing Jamaican music, particularly the Studio One catalog, releasing over 60 albums from that label. The label's efforts were recognized with a Grammy Award in 2000 for Burning Spear's 'Calling Rastafari' (1999), which has since been deleted from the catalog. Heartbeat also won Boston magazine's Best of Boston 2000 award for Best Record Label. The label financed and booked the Heartbeat Culture Splash Tour in 1996, featuring Michael Rose, Sister Carol, the Meditations, Derrick Morgan, and the S.A.N.E. band, touring the United States. In January 2007, Heartbeat moved to Burlington, Massachusetts, and started the Heartbeat Reggae Podcast that same year. The label's extensive discography includes albums by Big Youth, Culture, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, and many others, spanning styles from ska to dancehall.
Did You Know?
- Burning Spear's album 'Calling Rastafari' won a Grammy in 2000; the award goes to the artist and producers, not the label.
- Heartbeat Records has released over 60 Studio One albums.
- In 1996, the label financed and booked the Heartbeat Culture Splash Tour across the United States.
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