Colby Graham (right) and Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Colby Graham is often asked about the name of his magazine and just who made him a 'boss' on vintage music. He is quick to point out that 'boss' was a word used to describe things that were top quality when he was growing up and that is just what he thinks about vintage Jamaican music, that it is boss.

It is a feeling that he has carried for nearly three decades, having started buying records in 1978 while still a student at Holmwood High School in Manchester. However, having started out with The Stylistics' Greatest Hits and The Manhattans' Greatest Hits from money he saved as a boarder, he had nothing to play the records on.

"In 1980, when I got my first job at Seprod, the first thing I ran out and bought was a Black Magic stereo system," Graham said.

The call of music was not to be denied and Graham got into music research in 2001. Six years, 62 magazine mock-ups and eight DVDs later, the filming done at his home, transformed into a production studio, he is seeing some recognition for his work.

In fact, it was that recognition which has spurred Colby Graham on.

Videotape interviews

"Because VP Records has endorsed me, brought me to the States and crazy about my work, it gave me the idea of videotaping my interviews and doing documentaries," he said.

He was involved in VP's 25th anniversary celebrations, as his services were used for a documentary. "First me get a little money for my work," Graham said.

"They have commissioned me to work with them on their 50th anniversary of Randy's, so 2008 is going to be a big year," he said.

Graham credits Devon Bourne, Eaton Douglas, Roy Sweetland and Roy Black as being instrumental in what he has been doing. And it is being transferred to the next generation, as his son, Craig, is also now involved in the process of reclaiming music history.