Joe Gibbs

On Thursday 21-2-08 producer Joe Gibbs passed away at Kingston's

University Hospital of the West Indies from a heart attack. Aged 65.

Born in Montego Bay in 1943, Gibbs left Jamaica to train as an

engineer in the US. Returning to the island in the mid-1960s to set up

a TV repair shop, it wasn't long before he began to sell records. In

1967, shortly after this sideline proved a runaway success, he took

the step of setting up a recording studio in the office at the rear of

the building.

His Amalgamated label was very successful. With Gibbs bringing in

other producers, first Lee Perry and, then Winston Holness aka Niney

the Observer. Producing great music with Errol Dunkley, Sir Lord Comic

and the Pioneers.

Gibbs had international success, scoring a UK top 10 entry in 1970

with Nicky Thomas's 'Love Of The Common People'. By the mid seventies

he had teamed up with Errol T. Gibbs and Thompson would soon become

known as "The Mighty Two". Throughout the mid-1970s, they continued to

produce the biggest artists in Jamaica -

However, the end of the decade would bring about their most famous

work, from Althea & Donna's 1977 pop crossover anthem 'Uptown Top

Ranking' to Culture's Two Sevens Clash -

Gibbs never enjoyed quite the same level of success later in his life,

but by this point he could afford to slow down, although by the late

nineties he had rebuilt his studio and released very good albums with

artists like Jackie Brown and Alton Ellis.

Various Artists - Joe Gibbs Productions - Soul Jazz - CD

Gibbo unlike so many producers - as always had some really good

various artists LP/CD out representing his works. From the early days

of Trojan to more recently Heartbeat. Soul Jazz rather than copy those

compilations concerntrate on the late rockers era. So on this set you

find groups like Culture, Mighty Diamonds, and DJ's like Trinity

representing the late Rockers era - with some outstanding tune like

'Two Sevens Clash' from Culture and 'Identity' from the Mighty

Diamonds. When you get to the early Dance Hall Style you find Joe Tex

and U Black, Junior Murvin. Nigger Kojak and Liza and Bigger T. Sadly

old Gibbo's biggest Dance Hall hit (aside from all the stuff with DB)

is Cornell Campbell's 'Boxing' a massive dance hall tune. That still

sounds fresh today. Its a shame he don't bring it back as a one rhythm

album - now there's an idea!

Joe Gibbs - African Dub - Joe Gibbs - 1975

The first in a series, and one of the better ones. The opening tracks

on the album tend to be rhythms intercut with each other which is

annoying more than interesting. After that though the album settles

into a very relaxed mood. With all of the big rhythms of the day,

including the likes of 'Rockfort Rock'/'Half Ounce'

'Unchained'/'Schooling The Beat' and 'Riot'/'Worrier'. Also present

are a few Joe Gibbs originals which are also in the same style. A no

thrills set that still sounds good.

Joe Gibbs - African Dub Chapter 3 - Joe Gibbs - 1978

Towards the end of the seventies dub became more and more full of

gimmicks. It didn't cause the downfall of this musical artform, but it

didn't help. This album was the first very popular dub set containing

extensive use of gimmicks. Lee Perry had of course dabbled with them

from the start of dub. However this was something else. Really and

truly the rhythm tracks here are so good, and the mix by Errol T so

clean that it doesn't need anything else. Still if you like doorbells

and stuff, this is for you.

Joe Gibbs & Friends V/A - The Reggae Train - Trojan - 1988. A few

years ago it was reported that Joe Gibbs was building another studio

or was about to reopen his old one. Yet like Coxsone, you can't help

having mixed feelings about Gibbo. Just check out all the talent on

this album and all the great music. People like him should have been

able to do a lot more for all the people he's worked with over the

years. He and others may argue that they did their best - fine. Let's

just hope that the lessons have been learned, and when success comes

their way again - it will be built upon.

Google Sites

Report abuse