Various Artists - Sweet Inspiration LP

Sweet Inspiration: Guilty Reggae Pleasures explores a fascinating chapter in British reggae history. As reggae grew rapidly in popularity in the UK during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Trojan Records combined Jamaican rhythms with soul melodies, pop influences and sophisticated arrangements, creating an accessible crossover sound without losing the music's distinctive reggae character.

This collection brings together fourteen recordings from the Trojan catalogue. The Pioneers open the album with I Need Your Sweet Inspiration, followed by artists including Marcia Griffiths, Nicky Thomas, Desmond Dekker, John Holt and Dave Barker. Side B features Bruce Ruffin, Ken Boothe, Greyhound, Honey Boy, Freddie Notes and Lord Tanamo before The Pioneers return for the closing track.

The compilation demonstrates the close relationship between reggae, rocksteady, soul and contemporary pop during this era. Familiar compositions such as Dream Lover, Walk A Mile In My Shoes and The Godfather theme Speak Softly Love are presented through a distinctly reggae lens.

This edition is pressed on 140g black vinyl and housed in a card sleeve with a printed insert. It was released on 23 October 2026 through BMG/Trojan Records.

Tracklist

Side A

The Pioneers – I Need Your Sweet Inspiration (UK Mix)
Marcia Griffiths – Sweet Bitter Love (7" Mix)
Nicky Thomas – Lonely For Your Love
Desmond Dekker – Beware
Danny Ray – Ain’t It A Beautiful Morning (Strings Mix)
John Holt – Reggae From The Ghetto
Dave Barker – Ride Your Pony

Side B

Bruce Ruffin – Candida (UK Mix)
Ken Boothe – Speak Softly Love (Love Theme From ‘The Godfather’)
Greyhound – Dream Lover
Honey Boy – Guitar Man
Freddie Notes – Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Lord Tanamo – Got To Have You Baby
The Pioneers – You Don’t Know Like I Know (UK Mix)
Specifications
Artist: Various Artists
Title: Sweet Inspiration: Guilty Reggae Pleasures
Format: LP
Vinyl: Black Vinyl
Weight: 140g
Number of records: 1
Tracks: 14
Genre: Reggae / Rocksteady / Soul / Pop
Label: Trojan Records / BMG
Release date: 23 October 2026
Catalogue number: 964216671
EAN: 4099964216677
Packaging: Card sleeve with printed insert
Highlights
Trojan Records collection of classic reggae recordings
14 tracks pressed on 140g black vinyl
Featuring The Pioneers, Marcia Griffiths, Desmond Dekker, John Holt and Ken Boothe
Reggae and rocksteady with strong soul and pop influences
Includes UK mixes and alternate single/strings mixes
Includes printed insert