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Uptown Top Ranking: Joe Gibbs Reggae Productions 1970-1978 (Trojan, 1998) This superb showcase of Joe Gibbs' production talent is also a superb showcase of the gems that are held in the vaults of Trojan Records. If you don't want to shell out the big money for the various Trojan box sets or the History of Trojan Records sets, then this single CD provides an efficient, inexpensive alternative. Several of the tunes on Uptown Top Ranking will be familiar to most reggae fans ("Love of the Common People," "Maga Dog," "Money in My Pocket," "Uptown Top Ranking"), but even experienced listeners should find treasures they hadn't previously heard. Perhaps it'll be Ken Parker's groovy "Hello My Little Queen (My Girl Josephine)" -- the vocal version of Augustus Pablo's "African Queen" dub (also included) -- or Leo Graham's simply irresistible "A Win Them" or Sylford Walker's "Burn Babylon" or Johnny Lover's "Head Cup" or Trinity's "Three Piece Suit and Thing," to which the better-known "Uptown Top Ranking" is a reply. Looking down this line-up of songs, it's amazing that one man produced them all. From the smooth stylings of the Mighty Diamonds' "Ghetto Living" to the harsh DJ sound of Prince Far I's "Heavy Manners" to the rural richness of the Ethiopians' "Band You Belly," there's something for everyone. |
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Joe Gibbs Productions (Roots Culture DJs and the Birth of Dancehall)
(Soul Jazz, 2003)
*GUEST
REVIEW*
Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson work in a supermarket in North Parade Kingston. Joe owns the business but should be better known for his tunes as opposed to his tomatoes.
Joe Gibbs Productions is a compilation of his material released between 1975 and 1983. They cover a broad base including early dancehall, dub and roots. Even those ignorant of Joe Gibbs will probably recognise some tunes. Most tracks rework classic Studio One riddims adding in replacement vocals, a dubbier production and the classic
Sly and Robbie treatment. The strength of the tracks presented here is their simplicity.
It's nice that a themed compilation can include dancehall alongside earlier material from the same producer. Some tracks here are quite well known (e.g.
"Two Sevens Clash") while others deserve a wider audience for their sense of fun. Can you honestly resist the Steptoe and Son approach of Snuffy and Wally's
"Dreader Mafia"? This is a nice addition to the Soul Jazz imprint, a fun introduction to the work of Joe Gibbs and a great companion to their Studio One series.
- ragudave
| Track Listing 1. Fist to Fist Rub a Dub -- Kojak & Liza 2. See Them a Come -- Culture 3. Kingston Two Rock -- Trinity 4. Cool Out Son -- Junior Murvin 5. Chapter 3 -- Joe Gibbs & The Professionals 6. Standardization -- Joe Tex & U Black 7. Identity -- The Mighty Diamonds 8. Massive Fire -- Joe Gibbs & The Professionals 9. Down Town Thing -- Althea 10. Two Sevens Clash -- Culture 11. Three Piece Suit -- Trinity 12. Rub a Dub Evening -- Joe Tex & U Black 13. Hully Gully Rock -- The Mighty Two 14. No Peace -- Shorty the President 15. I'm Coming Home -- Dennis Brown 16. Starsky & Hutch -- Trinity 17. Stonewall Jackson -- Joe Gibbs & The Professionals 18. Dreader Mafia -- Snuffy & Wally 19. Million Dollar Plan -- Bigger T |
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