Ranking Joe Zion High (Blood & Fire) Rating: NNNN Rating: NNNN
The self-described Bionic DJ with a blabbermouth that could give the chattering U-Roy and Dennis Alcapone a run for their money, Ranking Joe would probably admit himself that he was never the most original deejay in the dancehall. When you’ve got Dennis Brown classics to talk over, though, you can get away with a bit of cheating. Zion High builds on tracks by Brown and Black Uhuru, and Scientist and King Tubby twist the knobs with psychedelic effect. Blood & Fire’s transfer of these rare singles is typically crisp, and Steve Barrow’s notes once again give you the feeling of being there on the truck as Joe and Jah Screw lit up the crowd.
