Ital Records
Date
1970s
History
Ital Records was a record label, distribution business and record shop which was based in Stoke Newington between 1979 and 1984. Ital was founded by Herbert ‘Bert’ George Campbell, born in Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica.
Ital Records began as a reggae music distributor in the 1970s. From Jamaica, it imported newly released vinyl records and 'dubplates' (exclusive one-off recordings). This made them available to sound system operators and record collectors in the UK to meet the needs of a growing reggae music audience across the country.
Ital Records record shop was opened in 1977, situated on West Green Road in Tottenham. It was in operation for two years before moving to 112 Stoke Newington High Street in 1979. The shop was initially called Ital Records but was rebranded to Ital Music Force Ltd. when it moved from Tottenham to Stoke Newington.
Bert Campbell would eventually venture into producing and releasing music on the Ital Records label himself. Recognising that second-generation ‘British-Caribbean’ audiences wanted more music that spoke to love, relationships and everyday life in the diaspora, his productions blended Jamaican reggae rhythms with soul and R&B influences. This fusion became known as UK Lovers Rock music.
Ital Records began as a reggae music distributor in the 1970s. From Jamaica, it imported newly released vinyl records and 'dubplates' (exclusive one-off recordings). This made them available to sound system operators and record collectors in the UK to meet the needs of a growing reggae music audience across the country.
Ital Records record shop was opened in 1977, situated on West Green Road in Tottenham. It was in operation for two years before moving to 112 Stoke Newington High Street in 1979. The shop was initially called Ital Records but was rebranded to Ital Music Force Ltd. when it moved from Tottenham to Stoke Newington.
Bert Campbell would eventually venture into producing and releasing music on the Ital Records label himself. Recognising that second-generation ‘British-Caribbean’ audiences wanted more music that spoke to love, relationships and everyday life in the diaspora, his productions blended Jamaican reggae rhythms with soul and R&B influences. This fusion became known as UK Lovers Rock music.
