b. 3 June 1940, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, d. 18 December 1999, Los Angeles, California, USA. In the late 50s Higgs joined Delroy Wilson to form the duo Higgs And Wilson. In 1959, they recorded their first single, "Mammy Oh", for politico Edward Seaga, and it became a massive hit in Jamaica. In the early 60s they worked for Coxsone Dodd, and had several further hits including "How Can I Be Sure" and "There's A Reward". Higgs was also coaching a young group called the Wailers, and he subsequently introduced them to Dodd, who launched their career. In the mid-60s Higgs decided to pursue a solo career, and made further recordings for Dodd including "Change Of Plans" and "Neighbour Neighbour". In the early 70s Higgs recorded for a variety of producers, and outstanding songs from this period include "The Wave Of War" and "The World Is Spinning Round" (1972, for Harry J.), "Burning Fire" (1974, for Rupie Edwards), "More Slavery" (1975, for Jack Ruby), and "Creation' (1975, a self-production). In 1975, Higgs finally had an album released, the excellent Life Of Contradiction. The imaginatively arranged songs were given faultless jazz-tinged performances by a group that included jazz guitarist Eric Gale. Further albums followed, with 1979's Unity Is Power and 1985's Triumph particularly strong collections. Higgs" thoughtful lyrics and expressive voice made him one of the most singular artists to come from Jamaica.

Listen to Joe Higgs at Finetune.

• Uncle John's Band
• Again
• Don't Mind Me
• The World Is Upside Down
• You Hurt My Soul

• Peter Tosh
• Bob Marley & The Wailers
• Wailing Souls
• Jimmy Cliff
• Black Uhuru
• Bob Marley
• Inner Circle
• Sublime
• Toots And The Maytals
• The Heptones
• Burning Spear
• Steel Pulse
• Linton Kwesi Johnson
• 311
• Damian Marley
• Mighty Diamonds
• Ini Kamoze
• Sly & Robbie
• Israel Vibration
• Ben Harper

• msml