Joe Higgs

Photo: John Skomdahl

Joe Higgs - Life Of Contradiction - Grounation - 1975

In the early sixties Joe Higgs could be found working with/teaching the likes of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Livingtone plus the other Wailers, then there was The Wailing Souls. As a duo with Roy Wilson (Higgs & Wilson) success also came his way. Yet it wasn't till the release of this album in 1975 that people finally realised what this man has given to the music. In his voice can be found all the soul/folk styles that are in the music, and in his songwriting skills can be found true inspiration for life itself.

Joe Higgs - Unity In Power - One Stop - 1979

Joe Higgs first began singing to Jamaican audiences in 1956. Since then his recorded output of one album and a few singles has hardly been prolific by today's standards, yet he has remained a tremendously influential figure. A wealth of experience has gone into the making of this album, but it still holds some surprises. For a start, four of the tracks aren't reggae at all - rather quite tastefully arranged soul ballads. Proof (if it were needed) that Ja musicians are not limited to one musical form. (Dave Kerry.)

Joe Higgs - Blackman Know Yourself - Shanachie

With so little material available from Joe Higgs, it's hard to reason the need for an album of recuts and cover versions-, but that is what this is all about. The other problem with recutting material is a need to either update or rearrange a song, which is hard to do with the music being in such a state of flux. Still production wise, the sound is modern with an international touch to it. 'Wave Of War' and 'Let Us Do Something' work very well, and are essential listening if you can't find the original singles.

Joe Higgs - Family - Blue Mountain - 1988

Anyone familiar with the history of reggae music in the early '70's cannot help feeling for Joe Higgs. Back then he was talked about in the same terms as Bob Marley - a great singer/songwriter who also had recorded a LP for Island. Sadly for Joe it was never released - even though a track from the LP 'The World Is Upside Down' is acclaimed as a classic. 'Family' contains a recut of that tune, it's a good recut from a good album. Joe Higgs still has a message to give and that message is just as valid today.