Leighton Williams, Staff ReporterForty years ago, vinyl 45 rpm (revolutions per minute) records were the mode of distribution when it came to releasing music singles to the world. While in most parts the vinyl records have become somewhat antiquated, in Jamaica 45s are still the preferred mode of distribution for music singles.
The persons responsible for putting out local music all agree that CD singles have failed to take off locally on a large scale.
"The local system is set up for 45s, because the sound system operators, who are the major promoters of our music, prefer 45s," explained producer Paul 'Computer Paul' Henton.
Computer Paul's point is enhanced by Rohan 'Sno Cone' Fuller, who added that most of the sound system were unwilling to juggle CDs. He points out that the club DJs also prefer 45 singles.
"It's hard to take off, because not everyone is a pro when it comes to juggling CDs. It has more clarity and quality, but some people still prefer the 45s," Sno Cone pointed out.
While the vinyl 45 has been around for quite a while, the CD is the new kid on the block.
Commonplace
The digital compact disc, now commonplace in stereos and computers, was invented in the late 1960s by James T. Russell, who was an avid music listener. Like many music lovers of the time, he was continually frustrated by the wear and tear suffered by his vinyl phonograph records and invented the CD after years of research. The concept of CDs took off in the 1980s and since then have become the main means through which music is sold.
Locally, the concept of CD singles became popular when producer Dave Kelly's 'The Bug' rhythm was released.
According to THE WEEKEND STAR's report of September 17, 1999, 'The Bug' rhythm was the fastest selling stock the record shops had. By early afternoon on the day of release, most shops had run out of the CDs and were ordering vast quantities more.
The report stated that Platinum Distributors, the distribution arm of Dave Kelly's Xtra Large and Mad House labels, said that they had sold out all 1,000 copies of Look, the controversial Bounty Killer single which at one stage was threatened with being banned from radio, until Kelly produced a diluted radio mix.
The report also stated that four other songs on the rhythm were also released. These were Babycham's Ghetto Pledge, which sold second fastest, Wayne Wonder's Keep Them Coming, Frankie Sly's Hater's Anthem and Spragga Benz's Can't Get No Gal.
"The excitement generated by the release and success of the CD singles is based on the fact that they are the first set of CD singles to be released commercially in Jamaica by a local label," the report said.
Head of XL Management Agency and Platinum Distributors, Brenda Hamilton Sutherland, pointed out that the first CD singles releases did well. She however pointed out that since then, they had not done mass distribution of another CD single.
"Our objective was to keep the price as reasonable as possible. We sold them cheap, but the record shops sold them at an expensive price. It did very well though," she pointed out.
While the record shops may have contributed to the unwillingness of Platinum to distribute more CD singles, another reason being tabbed for the failure of CD singles is the problem of piracy.
"Because of the pirate thing, if a man can get 70 songs on one CD then why he will a buy a CD single?" Mrs. Sutherland pointed out.
Mrs. Sutherland's point is endorsed by Sno Cone, who explained that bootleggers were a big deterrent to the wholesale distribution of CD singles.
"Most people won't mass produce CDs because of bootleg," said Sno Cone.
While piracy is the biggest deterrent, the producers pointed out that the CD single is better in terms of sound quality.
"The CD is better because of the quality. A lot of the time we get re-used or recycled vinyl, which affects sound quality," Computer Paul said.
His arguments are supported by Sno Cone, who pointed out that "CD is more accurate, meaning you can walk with 50 and it looks smaller. It's easier to slip in a CD when you're at home. We won't sell out our roots though. We grow up on 45s and it won't change," he said.
