August 6th marks the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence and VP Records is celebrating with the island’s iconic music.

On July 31, the label will release an extensive 3 CD set Out Of Many, 50 Years Of Reggae Music – chronicling the genre’s evolution with an iconic hit from each year since 1962.  This collection captures the essence of every era over the past five decades with 51 distinctive hits from artists including Lord Creator, Alton Ellis, Skatalites, Dennis Brown, Eek-A-Mouse, Yellowman, Barrington Levy, Gregory Isaacs, Shabba Ranks, Beres Hammond, Lady Saw, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Mavado, Gyptian and many more.

In the set’s extensive liner notes, reggae historian Noel Hawks discusses the innovation and evolution of the island’s music, and how the iconic label VP Records – once Randy’s Record Mart at 17 North Parade in Kingston, Jamaica – played a crucial role in the production and worldwide distribution of these sounds.