Black Solidarity

The label was formed in 1979 by Ossie Thomas and his friend Phillip Morgan on Delamere Ave. The first record on the label was Triston Palmers »A Class Girl« - the rhythm he had gotten from Tony Chin of the Soul Syndicate. The song was successful in England but failed to make in impression in Jamaica.

The label soon found help from Phillip Frazer, Tristan and Gary Robertson. Some of the material that was recorded with Gary's help was often released on his own Fantastique imprint (such as the split LP with Early B and Triston Palmer). Gary later on migrated to Canada and left the label.

Ossie and Tristan would work closely together releasing several successful songs such as Early B's »Gateman Get 'fraid« and »Ghostbuster«, Josey Wales »Ruling«, Robert French's »Raggamuffin«, Al Campbell's »Let Them Prosper« and Papa San's »Animal Party«.

In 1987 the label branched off into two different labels. Ossie Thomas continued with Black Solidarity while Tristan and Frazer launched their Solidarity International imprint. Dubvendor had the rights for the UK releases of Black Solidarity while Tristan and Phillip had distribution through Tuff Gong (who they had previous links with).

• Beth Lesser, Reggae Quarterly vol. 8 (1987), Toronto, Live Good Today