2010 - Joe Gibbs - 12 Inch Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol 4

2010 - Joe Gibbs - 12 Inch Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol 4 @320

As before the tracks are all presented in complete 12” format with a listing of musicians that includes Tommy McCook, Vin Gordon, Bobby Ellis, Tony Chin and Sly and Robbie. With tracks recorded at Joe Gibbs’ studio at Retirement Crescent, Kingston, volume 4 covers the period around 1979 and 1980. The results are pretty diverse. Opening strongly with the familiar bass line of Junior Byles’ Dreadlocks Time and its intriguing version from Kojak and Liza, the next track is Hortense Ellis’ take on Ann Peebles’ I Can’t Stand the Rain, a mainstream MOR sound which is made more interesting by the addition of Prince Weedy’s Same Complaint version. Ruddy Thomas’ attempt at Michael Jackson’s Shake Your Body Down to the Ground is unusual indeed. Equally surprising is Derrick Lara’s rendition of Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough in a reggae style. This includes a particularly ill-advised rock guitar interlude, although the full 12” track is redeemed to some degree by the version from the ever-reliable Trinity. My Love/Can’t Take Mi Landlord from Wade Brammer and Lui Lepkie is a little-know but sweet reggae track, the backing rhythm and production showing off Gibbs’ production style to best effect. There are two great tracks to be found here. Dennis Brown offers Your Man, a standout track along with an old-style instrumental version which highlights Gibbs’ characteristically subtle dub sound. The collection ends with Wayne Wade’s account of the classic join-in John Holt track After You, completed of course by a joyful version from Trinity. (United Reggae)

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