The history of Jamaica's musical entertainers often seems like a vast, complex and un-cooperative relay race where one innovator is forced to give up his baton as the next innovator sprints on ahead with a notable smirk to the one left in the dust. So it went as U Roy created a whole new sound and format leaving behind King Stitt, Sir Lord Comic and their ilk....And so it continued as the great Big Youth emerged from a cloud of S-90 smoke in the the early 70s to take the trophy as a cultural DJ of choice both on Tippatone sound and his plentiful chart topping LPs and singles.
We here at Deadly Dragon have always been huge huge fans not just of his unique vocal style but how he melded that style with a riddims that ranged from Rock Steady to early reggae to the almost rootical steppers of his Prince Tony Robinson selections.
In any case here are five of our toppa top Big Youth selections!
Big Youth - Can You keep A Secret (Mafia) 7"
Massive Dj verse to Horace Andy's classic bit of dread psychedelia -- a paranoia drenched favorite!
Big Youth - Best of Big youth (Fe-Me-Time) 7"
Sweeet, Dangerous ruffness as Jah Youth takes on the organ drenched wonder that is the Black Cindererella version!
Big Youth - S90 Skank (Mafia) 7"
Motocycles revving, Lightining crashing and Ketih Hudson stripping back the mix so that Big Youth can unleash a lyrical barrage that nonetheless sounds like he is half asleep!
Big Youth - the Big Fight (Joe Gibbs) 7"
Killer lick of the Joe Frazier riddim that allows Big Youth to innovate with some new lyrical patterns that create mad tensions!
Big Youth - Jah Jah Love Them (Wild Flower) 7"
Serious roots from Big Youth as his lyrics stay grounded as the riddims flys into the Ether!
For more on Big Youth check this article by Toby Gohn: http://www.furious.com/perfect/bigyouth.html
