2009 - Joe Gibbs - 12 Inch Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol 2

2009 - Joe Gibbs - 12 Inch Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol 2 @320

The second volume again covers the end of the 70s and the beginning of the 80s, signalling that the existing reggae tradition was still going strong, and adapting. ‘Tribal War’ by George Nooks (with abrupt change into the lively ‘Jah Did It’ version from Prince Weedy) is in the classic roots tradition, again with uncluttered Gibbs and Thompson production. By this time some synthesised sounds are starting to make their appearance in the mix. ‘Rope in’ from Cornell Campbell places the synthesiser squeaks of then-contemporary disco more fully into the mix, although this strangely sounds more dated now than music from ten years earlier. Cornell Campbell also adds ‘Two Timer’ to Volume Two, a strong song which overcomes the time of its creation, and, in its 12” form here, leads into a powerful version (‘Video Man’) from Trinity. This volume is a little uneven – lurching into MOR territory at one or two points - but there are strong songs, particularly those in the roots tradition, including ‘Jah Guide’ from Naggo Morris, and Horace Andy’s ‘Praise Him’ (together with the latter’s 12” partner, ‘Babylon Happening’ from Jah Mike). The inclusion of Culture’s ‘Innocent Blood’ (dee-jayed by U-Brown in ‘Rock it Up’) is a particular joy to behold. (United Reggae)

LINK in Comments