Various Artists — The Joe Gibbs DJ Albums Collection 1977-1980

Here we have a two-CD set bringing four reggae albums produced by Joe Gibbs- a respected Jamaican producer/ DJ. As the release's title suggests these albums date from between 1977 & the year 1980- moving between Dancehall & Roots reggae, with a  few darts  into Dub,

The two-disc set appears on Doctor Bird- Cherry Red’s sublabel for reissuing music from across the reggae sub-genres. The two discs come presented in a see-through/ slim double jewel case- this features a sixteen-page colourful inlay booklet- taking in a seven-page write-up about Gibbs, the four albums featured, as well as the artists themselves. As we a good selection of vinyl labels, artists pictures, etc. So another nicely presented two-disc set from Doctor Bird.

Each disc features two albums. And starting off the first CD we have 1977’s Three Piece Suite from Trinity aka Kingston Jamaica born Wade Brammer.  He started releasing work in the late 70’s- this album was his third release, and he went on to record through into the 1990s. The album is ten track affair which originally appeared on Joe Gibb’s Record Globe label- with a sound mixing together dancefloor & roots take on the genre. With the tracks moving from the snake charmer reverbed horn work meets the steady strutting beat of “Song For The Midnight Hour”. Onto jiving tip tap percussion, occasion gospel-like backing vocals, and stripped back bass line of “Rasta Dub”. Though to soulful female-edged harmony vocals of the title track- which has a nice steadily shuffling beat, and bouncing reverbed touches.  

Next on the first disc, we have another album from 1977. Under Heavy Manners from Prince I’s aka Spanish Town's Michael James Williams. He was active between 1975 & 1983- when died at the too-young age of thirty-eight. This is an eleven-track album( with one bonus track) taking in a largely playful/ quirky roots reggae sound, with a few darts into dub- all topped with Prince I’s gruff Ganja-hazed vocals.  We move from “Big Fight” with its stuttering-to-chiming percussion, weak wavering organ, and possible harmonica touches. Though tip-tap beat, quirky electro pulls & wows,  and on-off organ jive of “Show Me Mine Enemy”. Onto the horn swing ‘n’ swoon, dub strut ‘n’ reverb, and jiving key touches of “Heavy Manners”.

Over onto disc two & the first album here is 1980’s Natty Superstar by Ranking Joe- aka Kingston’s Joseph Jackson. His career spanned between 1977 and 1983- with a slight resurrection in the late ’90s/ early 2000s.  Natty Superstar is a nine-track affair- which is largely focused on bright ‘n’ breezy Dancefloor focused reggae. We go from the electro-disco drum pulse and jiving groove of “Jump The Fence”. Onto tight percussion ‘n’ bass line shuffling dart of “See A Girls Face”, though to the down on the beach strut of “Leave Fi Me Gal Arlene” which some great jiving organ touches coming in here and there.

Finally, we have from the year 1980 Inna Him Head by Prince Mohammed aka Kingston’s George Nooks.  His career as Prince Mohammed lasted between 1978 and 1983, though thereafter he released music under his birthname with his most recent release being 2018’s For You. Inna Him Head was a nine-track album- taking in a fairly vocally busy, but bright/ positive mix of Roots & Dancefloor reggae. With the disc been topped off three bonus tracks. We go from reverb horn swoon, rubber-band-like guitar/ bass tones, and snaping cymbal-lined beats of “Money Man The Gal Want”. Onto drifting ‘n’ jiving organ & electro-tipped beats of “Harbour View Rock”. Though to the busyness of “Bubbling Love” which features wow-wowing organ hits, complex beat snares, electro tone rips, and almost tripping up on themselves vocals.

All four albums featured here show Gibb's talent as a producer- moving between more subtle/ laid back, to the more detailed and busy. With each artist giving their own ( largely) distinctive take on the reggae form- I enjoy all four albums featured- but if pushed I’d say the Prince Far I, and Ranking Joe stand out the most.