The forty-third edition
of YHO is about reissues. It starts at
that point in the 1990s when compact discs were in the ascendancy and, as the
decade developed, there emerged a number of labels which were making lost
sounds available again that could claim to be changing lives, making us look at
the history of popular culture in an entirely new way, rather than reassuring
us with what we already know. And they
provided an all-round enriching aesthetic experience. These reissue labels, helmed by enthusiasts
determined to transcend niche interests, provided us with great music, sure,
but also with their own collection of visionaries, scholars, characters acting
as compilers, annotators and designers worthy of their own hagiography. This is a celebration of four of these
organisations, their activity, and certain specifically significant releases:
Blood and Fire, Kent, Soul Jazz and On-U Sounds. It is dedicated with special affection to Steve
Barrow, Ady Croasdell, Stuart Baker and Adrian Sherwood, with a tip of the hat
to Roger Eagle and Dave Godin. The cover was
beautifully designed by Per-Christian Hille.
