Higgs & Wilson

Higgs & Wilson - Gun Talk - Lyn's - Luxor - 1960

A magnificent tune from that master of lyrics Joe Higgs - here he's with Roy Wilson - in an early outing of the famous Higgs & Wilson. The subject matter of 'Guns' wasn't no joke then - and it's no joke now some sixty years on. And so Joe being Joe - makes his point in a complicated kind of way. The big message is in the title of the song, the lyrics of the song are filled up with many more kind of messages - which are the same as the big message - but said in a different way! Joe was very good at this. Included on this production from Lyn's is a fantastic sax solo in the middle of the tune.

Higgs & Wilson - Manny Oh - Eddie Seaga - Wirl - Blue Beat - 1960

A massive hit for the duo - in Jamaica, the UK and even gaining release in the US on RCA. This a great production from Eddie Seaga It's got an horn riff straight from New Orleans followed by the much triplets on the Piano. The song is a simple love song - but when you have got great vocalists like this - even a simple love song can be elevated to another level. The song is rammed with little doo-wop style that were so popular at the time - but does not contained any solos.

Higgs & Wilson - How Can I Be Sure - Coxsone - Supreme - Blue Beat - 1961

Another truly great tune from a remarkable duo - Joe songs are more like story-lines to a film. And the close harmony he achieved with Roy Wilson was always superb. On the production side of things - Coxsone goes for some Latin styled bassline to push the song along - rather than anything that walks or shuffles! It's a fast tune - Not Ska fast but getting there. You also get a really nice sax solo in the middle of the tune - which sounds a lot like Roland Alphonso.