I mported From Jamaica, a compilation album released on February 14, is the first project from INI Records International, an independent company based in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Americans Andrew Butler and Michael Bailey are its principals.

The set contains 23 songs by artistes primarily from the Greenwich Farm community of Kingston, once a fertile area for reggae talent. Music industry veteran and Greenwich Farm-born Tony Mack, Butler’s older brother, was instrumental in selecting the acts.

Born in Philadelphia, Butler has worked in music licensing for a number of years, mainly with television reality shows such as Real World, Pimp my Ride and Extreme Challenge. He told the Jamaica Observer that it was while discussing possible television licensing and publishing deals with Bailey, that INI Records International was conceived.

“I gave Mike a call to discuss some publishing ideas, as I was thinking of licensing some reggae and dancehall music for film and television. After our conversation, Mike called back and said, ‘let’s start a label focusing on New Jack dancehall and some OG rhythms of reggae. And since the number one female artiste (Rihanna) in the world was partaking in this genre, we shall do likewise’,” Butler recalled.

Bailey is also a Philadephia native. He brings strong credentials to the table; he is known in jazz circles as host of the radio show, Philadephia Jazz Showcase, and executive producer of Jazz Encounters, a television programme that showcased traditional jazz.

After listening to some of the songs for what became Imported From Jamaica, he was sold on the project.

“The music was so strong and appealing, with me finishing up my Jazz Encounters series, I approached Bruce about the idea of starting up a multi-media company, focusing on the talent in Jamaica,” Bailey said.

Some of that talent includes Nickson, a deejay who does the song Get Wild; Gambino with What They Doing; Florish ( In A You Love), and Sashae, who contributes Wi Deh Deh. Historyman, Steve Tulloch and Finnigan, seasoned artistes with close ties to Greenwich Farm, represent the traditional side of reggae.

Selecting the artistes was left to Mack, who has intimate knowledge of the music scene in Greenwich Farm.

“He found the talent through his vast network of industry insiders which he has accumulated over the years. I then interviewed the many viable candidates and presented my findings to Mike. After several meetings with Mike, we decided on signing 10 artistes; not to just sign them, but to provide an opportunity to fulfil their lifelong dreams,” said Butler.

Mack was raised in Greenwich Farm where music producer Bunny Lee operated his Striker label with great success during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. He was responsible for some of the biggest songs that emanated from the seafaring area, including Stick by Me by John Holt, My Conversation (The Uniques), Move Outa Babylon (Johnny Clarke) and The Gorgon by Cornell Campbell.