Joe Gibbs Music Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The classic 'Two Sevens Clash', which Joe Gibbs produced so well, is a timeless reggae outing that gets a welcome reissue here. Anyone of a certain age might remember this as a soundtrack to the years when punk was appropriating reggae sounds. The tune is from an album that was listened to between punk gigs and when not getting beaten up by Teds. The band of course didn't know this would become its fate and in isolation it remains a special listen with some smart mixing desk effects, hissing hi hats and nice dusty and deep low ends.

Review: In 1977, singer Dhaima recorded some lovely and uplifting rockers with The Professionals at Joe Gibbs's studio, and now one of them is reissued here on the Joe Gibbs Music label, complete with a dub version from The Mighty Two. First up, Dhaima's original 'Ina Jah Children' is one of those sweet rhythms that has a breezy feel and lovely sunny melodies next to a lush and soulful female vocal, all of which pay great tribute to the one and only Jah. The dub-wise flip on the B-side is 'Save The Children' and it has some more snaking bass, hissing hi-hats and a nice unhurried vibe for lazy and loud sessions.

Review: Freddie McGregor's 'No Competition', originally released in 1981, is a rare gem from the roots and lovers rock scene that has been gaining renewed attention in the underground. Now here reissued, this track showcases McGregor's smooth and timeless reggae style, reminiscent of Bob Marley's classic sound. Backed by the One Vibe Band, McGregor delivers a classy, uplifting reggae tune that radiates warmth and authenticity, marking it as a standout in his extensive catalogue. On the flip side, Joe Gibbs & The Professionals provide 'Don't Try It', an instrumental counterpart that offers a stripped-down version of the original. Their rendition is a deep, mostly instrumental dub version that emphasises rhythm and bass, allowing the groove to take center stage.

Review: This is a superb reissue of a real bit of top-quality roots and voters rock on 7". It finds singer Ruddy Thomas bringing his own fresh vocal update to Errol Dunkley's Keep The Pressure Down and the results are sublime - there is yearning in his vocal and smooth, warming soul next to libidinous horns that add to the vibes. On the flip is a nice tough dubwise flip which people say might well have been mixed by Ruddy himself because he was known to also work as an engineer alongside Errol Thompson at Gibb's Retirement Crescent.