Founded in Manchester, England, Blood and Fire has been reissuing roots reggae, dub and DJ albums with a jazz-influenced packaging aesthetic since the early ’90s.
The year 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of its first release (If Deejay Was Your Trade: The Dreads at King Tubby’s 1974-1977) and VPRecords has teamed up with the revered label for a strategic relaunch.
They will re-release 10 to 12 Blood and Fire collections with additional content and updated packaging this year.
The label also plans to launch a merchandise line with the B&F logo and select album cover art, which will be bundled in collectible reissue packages.
VP enlisted esteemed reggae historian and A&R Steve Barrow, who is one of Blood and Fire’s original founders, to oversee the album’s compilation, mastering and packaging and to ensure the product remains synonymous with the brand.
Barrow will be handling original B&F catalogue reissues with additional titles new to Blood and Fire.
“I look forward to working and continuing the fruitful relationship with VP Records, who have played a pivotal role in the production of reggae music since the early 1960s in Jamaica,” said Barrow.
Blood and Fire was the first reissue label to form a travelling sound system and tour with artists featured on their releases. Blood and Fire was also an early adaptor in serving the online reggae community.
“Blood and Fire presented reggae with premium quality and care as well as revived the careers of many unsung producers and performers,” said Chris Chin, CEO of VP Records.
The first release, available on Record Store Day (April 19), will be a limited edition 12-inch of Gregory Isaacs’ Mr Know It All in a B&F sleeve, with inner facsimile sleeve of the original Jamaican 12-inch single.
This vinyl-only release will be followed by the first batch of titles from the B&F catalogue in various formats.
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