Joe Gibbs & The Professionals – African Dub All-Mighty - Chapter 3

I have had this album in three different versions (no pun intended). Firstly, the JA press from 1977. Apart from the poor quality vinyl (no doubt recycled many times as often happened with JA pressings), the glue from the label extended out into the last track on BOTH sides !! Secondly, the Lightning Records pressing (possibly the one to seek out if in at least Very Good condition). Lastly, the CD version in the VP Records Box Set. This sounds very good and I imagine taken from a very good quality vinyl and remastered from that source - it would be unlikely that the original tapes were still available, although Joe Gibbs studios may have been better at archiving in that respect. Some killer dub cuts here (including 'Chapter 3' which is a terrific uptempo cut of Augustus Pablo's 'King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown.

I bought a copy of this in 2021. It's hard to know which version, but it looks new. Be very careful when buying certain versions, coz the one I have is an absolute joke that's been re-pressed (possibly pirated) by absolute clowns. The cover is a low res, blurry photocopy. It sounds like someone ripped the new press by recording straight off a second copy, which was gathering more and more dust on the needle as it went along. If you want a record that sounds like your needle is fucked, you'll love this.

The professionals had the coolest image... those pan African scarves and the color scheme in general is just the best look. And amazing dubs too, what’s not to like?

The tunes are rock solid. Shame the same can't be said about the vinyl. It has so many dips, bumps and wobbles my stylus thinks it's tracking a motocross course!

And as for 'snoopy, the bionic beagle' - how the hell did that get onto this recording, it's so out of place!