Blackman Know Yourself
| Blackman Know Yourself | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1990 | |||
| Label | Shanachie[1] | |||
| Producer | Lee Jaffe, Joe Higgs | |||
| Joe Higgs chronology | ||||
| ||||
Blackman Know Yourself is an album by the Jamaican musician Joe Higgs, released in 1990.[2][3] He is credited with the Wailers Band.[4]
Production[edit]
The album was produced by Lee Jaffe and Higgs, although there are questions about how much Jaffe was involved.[4] "Steppin Razor'", written by Higgs, was popularized by Peter Tosh.[5] "Small Axe" and "Sun Is Shining" are covers of Bob Marley songs.[6] "Oh Carol" is a cover of the Gladiators song.[7]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [8] |
| Chicago Tribune | [9] |
| Robert Christgau |  [10] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [11] |
| MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide | [12] |
| The State |  [13] |
The Austin American-Statesman wrote that "the rumbling bass of Aston 'Family Man' Barrett keeps the music anchored in authenticity and Higgs' expressive voice does the rest."[5] The Boston Globe praised Higgs's "silky smooth vocals," writing that "the music upholds a roots-reggae sound and consciousness."[6] The Houston Chronicle stated that Higgs's "soulful, powerfully 'dread' singing offers a reminder of the music's spiritual foundation too often neglected or trivialized by latter-day reggae artists."[14]
The Gazette thought that "'Sons of Garvey', 'Wave of War', and the title track, 'Blackman Know Yourself', are all sparkling examples of Higgs at his best."[15] The Chicago Tribune concluded that Higgs's "voice of middle-aged experience is well-suited to plaintive love songs such as 'She Was the One' or Bob Marley's sultry 'Sun Is Shining'... On the title track, his dignified, authoritative rasp breaks into a falsetto wail that by itself is worth the price of the disc."[9]
AllMusic wrote that, "when other reggae artists were going for high-tech productions and incorporating hip-hop or urban contemporary elements, Higgs stuck with the type of simplicity that had characterized him since the '60s."[8]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Blackman Know Yourself" | |
| 2. | "Oh Carol" | |
| 3. | "Small Axe" | |
| 4. | "Sons of Garvey" | |
| 5. | "She Was the One" | |
| 6. | "Steppin' Razor" | |
| 7. | "Saturday Morning" | |
| 8. | "Wave of War" | |
| 9. | "Let Us Do Something" | |
| 10. | "Sun Is Shining" |
References[edit]
- ^ Snider, Eric (26 Feb 1991). "These tunes are off the charts". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1D.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (December 22, 1999). "Joe Higgs, 59, Reggae Performer; Taught a Generation of Singers". the New York Times.
- ^ "Obits". Rolling Stone. No. 833. Feb 3, 2000. p. 26.
- ^ a b Masouri, John (November 11, 2009). Wailing Blues: The Story of Bob Marley's Wailers. Omnibus Press.
- ^ a b Point, Michael (15 Nov 1990). "Strong reggae works flood market". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 20.
- ^ a b Morse, Steve (13 Dec 1990). "Joe Higgs Blackman Know Yourself". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 8.
- ^ Eichenberger, Bill (June 2, 1991). "Marley's Reggae Returns, Seasoned with Volatile New Spirits". The Columbus Dispatch. p. 9H.
- ^ a b "Blackman Know Yourself". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (10 Jan 1991). "Rave recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 6.
- ^ "Joe Higgs". Robert Christgau.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 281.
- ^ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 319.
- ^ Miller, Michael (February 1, 1991). "New Releases". Weekend. The State. p. 14.
- ^ Mitchell, Rick (November 11, 1990). "Recordings". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 8.
- ^ Feist, Daniel (20 Dec 1990). "Joe Higgs with the Wailers – Blackman Know Yourself". The Gazette. p. D13.
