Chief of DownSound Records Joe Bogdanovich has indicated that he is currently in the process of acquiring the biggest reggae archive in the world, now owned by American reggae historian Roger Steffens.
Steffens has been a reggae collector for over 50 years; his archives currently span over six bedrooms of his Los Angeles home.
Speaking with ONStage’s Winford Williams, Joe said that negotiations are in their final stages. Once completed, the archive will be brought to Jamaica and housed in a contemporary facility to be constructed in Montego Bay. This will allow reggae enthusiasts worldwide to come to Jamaica and experience the history of our music.
Joe further explains that he’s been in negotiations for the acquisition of Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, the home of Reggae Sumfest, for the past three years. Now on the cusp of finalising the agreement, he intends to convert it into a full-time state-of-the-art entertainment complex. The plan is to use the facility to permanently house the archive and host four major international shows annually.
