The latest vintage compilation from reggae powerhouse VP’s reissue subsidiary 17 North Parade focuses on female talents from Joe Gibbs’ label Joe Gibbs Record Globe.
‘The Ladies at Joe Gibbs’ collects 15 tracks sourced from vinyl. A number of the tunes are reggae standards and signature songs, including Althea & Donna’s smash hit Uptown Top Ranking, June Lodge’s Someone Loves You Honey, one of the best-selling Jamaican lovers rock tunes of the early 80’s, and Marcia Aitken’s chart topper I’m Still in Love With You.
The compilation is however not entirely revolving around women since a few male deejays join the party, including Trinity on Marcia Aitken’s version of The Techniques’ rocksteady gem My Girl, here titled My Boy, and Ranking Joe on another cover version courtesy of Aitken, this time The Uniques’ Let Me Go Girl, here titled Let Me Go Boy.
Compiler Donald Davidson has also thrown in a few rarities – Jem & Dean’s deejay version of The Sensation’s Everyday is Like a Holiday and Althea’s solo effort Downtown Thing, voiced over a relick of the wicked Please Be True riddim, originally a hit for Alexander Henry in the late 60’s, but today probably best know because of Johnny Osbourne’s cut Sing Jah Style.
‘The Ladies at Joe Gibbs’ is a smooth and sophisticated compilation, and it’s great that female reggae singers and deejays get a piece of the limelight. More of that please.
Now available on digital platforms and CD. The latter contains informative liner notes from Daddy Lion Chandell.
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