Wagner's Das Rheingold, conducted by Georg (later Sir Georg) Solti, lead the way in pioneering the creative school of classical record interpretation. Within a decade two complete recordings of Wagner's Ring cycle, comprising of four complete operas on a set of 19 discs became available. Again, as with the advent of the LP, a technical advancement had stimulated the record industry into recording an even greater repertoire classic music than was previously available. The 1950s saw a reorganisation of recording companies coalitions (merging). Europe became quite masterful in the recording industry and began a vigorous campaign of invasion on the music industry of United States of America. But little did they know that in the Caribbean Island of Jamaica; a new kind musical uprising was gathering thrust on the little Island. Sound Systems operators and owners were preparing their own sound recording sessions and at last their efforts were made available at the turn of the early 1960's which saw the sound systems proprietors turning their talents to record producing and out came the birth of the ska music. After the influx of the American imports had desiccated, the Jamaican sound system operators had to develop a new concept, in learning the art of sound reproduction by going into the recording industry or die a natural death along with their mobile discotheques (sound systems). For years the Record Industry was controlled by a few major conglomerates. In 1947 there were recording companies known mainly as the big six a combination of recording giants that monopolised the recording market. These recording companies consisted of Capitol, Columbia, Decca, Mercury, MGM and Victor. |
