The Mighty Two

Various Artists

album cover

The Exploits of an Unstoppable Reggae Production Machine

One miracle of reggae is the way it overcomes sameness: Almost every roots-reggae song has the same syncopated rhythm guitar part, the same beat structure (and tempo), and bass lines that travel the same familiar paths. And yet, the best reggae artists mold those building blocks into highly individual music.

Production is a key differentiating element, and for an astounding run beginning in 1975, the team known as the Mighty Two—producer and label entrepreneur Joe Gibbs and engineer Errol Thompson—had some serious mojo working. Immediately after combining forces, the two veterans put together a formidable house band known as the Professionals, which included such future stars as bassist Robbie Shakespeare, drummer Sly Dunbar, and guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith. Then they began cranking out singles and terrifically imaginative full albums for Dennis Brown, Culture, the Mighty Diamonds, Peter Tosh, and others. Many Mighty Two productions were only known to Jamaicans, but a few, notably Culture's 1977 Two Sevens Clash, became global successes.

This compilation serves as an excellent introduction to the Gibbs-Thompson partnership. It has several hall-of-fame singles— Brown's "Money in My Pocket," the Mighty Diamonds' irrepressibly tuneful "Ghetto Living"—as well as expansive dub journeys and rarities. The works by lesser-known artists, including the talented Dennis Walks, show that the Mighty Two brought the same keen instincts—an inventive and uncluttered sonic sorcery—to the studio every day, no matter who was singing.

Genre: World, Jamaica
Released: 1990, Heartbeat
Key Tracks: Joe Gibbs and the Professionals: "Rockers Dub." Prince Far-I: "Heavy Manners." Dennis Brown: "Money in My Pocket." The Mighty Diamonds: "Ghetto Living"
Next Stop: Culture: Two Sevens Clash
After That: The Mighty Diamonds: Deeper Roots
Book Page: 815

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Comments:

#1 from Jory Farr, Columbus, Ohio - 02/02/2009 1:43

you’ve got a mistake on the website. The Mighty Two brings up album art for The Indestructible Beat of Soweto, a South African recording.

[Editor’s Note: Thank you! We’ve fixed the image and links.]

#2 from Gavin Foad, UK - 07/05/2010 5:03

Finding this a hard one to track down. I’ll have to keep trying.

In the reggae vein, I recommend the Young, Gifted and Black set. This covers many reggae classics from the Trojan label. A good way to prove to people that there is more to reggae than Bob Marley! It’s fantastic.
http://www.amazon.com/Young-Gifted-Black-Various-Artists/dp/B00005UBK5/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1278363670&sr=1-2

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