Jump to content

Blackman Know Yourself

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blackman Know Yourself
Studio album by
Released1990
LabelShanachie[1]
ProducerLee Jaffe, Joe Higgs
Joe Higgs chronology
Family
(1988)
Blackman Know Yourself
(1990)
Joe and Marcia Together
(1995)

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]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Chicago Tribune[9]
Robert Christgau(1-star Honorable Mention)[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.TitleLength
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]
  1. ^ Snider, Eric (26 Feb 1991). "These tunes are off the charts". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1D.
  2. ^ Pareles, Jon (December 22, 1999). "Joe Higgs, 59, Reggae Performer; Taught a Generation of Singers". the New York Times.
  3. ^ "Obits". Rolling Stone. No. 833. Feb 3, 2000. p. 26.
  4. ^ a b Masouri, John (November 11, 2009). Wailing Blues: The Story of Bob Marley's Wailers. Omnibus Press.
  5. ^ a b Point, Michael (15 Nov 1990). "Strong reggae works flood market". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 20.
  6. ^ a b Morse, Steve (13 Dec 1990). "Joe Higgs Blackman Know Yourself". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 8.
  7. ^ Eichenberger, Bill (June 2, 1991). "Marley's Reggae Returns, Seasoned with Volatile New Spirits". The Columbus Dispatch. p. 9H.
  8. ^ a b "Blackman Know Yourself". AllMusic.
  9. ^ a b Kot, Greg (10 Jan 1991). "Rave recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 6.
  10. ^ "Joe Higgs". Robert Christgau.
  11. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 281.
  12. ^ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 319.
  13. ^ Miller, Michael (February 1, 1991). "New Releases". Weekend. The State. p. 14.
  14. ^ Mitchell, Rick (November 11, 1990). "Recordings". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 8.
  15. ^ Feist, Daniel (20 Dec 1990). "Joe Higgs with the Wailers – Blackman Know Yourself". The Gazette. p. D13.