Big Joe

Big Joe – Rocking and Swing – Third World – 1977

Bunny Lee likes to break the rules when it comes to what is considered to be the way to do things. Most producers would reach for a selection of the big rhythms of the day when it comes to recording deejays – but this was 1977. So Bunny just pulls out all the latest tunes of the day – big rhythms or not – and tests a deejay to the max in doing so. You get a deejay cut of 'Sun Is Shining' on here from Black Uhuru so even the rhythms are not totally Bunny Lee – but once again when it comes to deejays albums none of that seems to matter much. Big Joe works the rhythms rhythm – and the mix from King Tubby or at King Tubby's can only help.

Big Joe - African Princess - Trojan - 1978

A popular DJ around the late 70's, Big Joe/Joe Spaulding in fact had started out in the early 70's. This album, was recorded for Linval Thompson. Not as rockstone vocally as his big hit 'Dignity & Principle' released in 1977, but it still manages to capture the character of the man very well. An interesting line of musicians on the album include Familyman & Horsemouth on bass and drum, plus Sly '& Robbie. With a remix (as the sleeve states) at King Tubby's studios, that bring's everything together nicely.