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Sonny Roberts

Well supported

Jamaican-born carpenter-turned-producer who in 1961 opened Planetone in a Kilburn basement — cited as the first Black-owned recording operation in Britain — and later ran the Orbitone label and Harlesden record shop, a lovers-rock and African-music hub; commemorated with a blue plaque.

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At a glance

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Well supported
Sources
Wikipedia; DJ Mag; Orbitone Records biography; Kilburn Times.

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People & rolesTechnology, recording & industryDiaspora & global influence

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Articles & sources

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Sonny Roberts, Jamaican producer who opened Britain's first Black-owned recording studio, honoured with blue plaque

WEB · rights discovery only · press source

DJ Mag report on Sonny Roberts and Planetone.

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In stories

Story · Well supportedPre-release and the counter: how UK shops broke Jamaican records

Britain's specialist shops were reggae's second engine.

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