Big Showdown is one of the earliest Greensleeves releases and an incredible matchup of Jamaica's two most promising engineers, circa 1980. The album alternates each song between Scientist and Jammy, trading blows with Jah Thomas calling the shots (see round 1). The tracks here are signature early 80s dub style, that moment in time where engineering technology and straight instrumental music met at a divine point of balance. Jammy and Scientist freak original instrumentals via studio production, but the bones they got to work with are live instruments, nothing digital. The basis is Junjo production of the Roots Radics sound, mostly taken from Barrington's Hunterman album. My favorite riddim off that album, "Sweet Reggae Music," gets the Scientist treatment in fine style as Round 5. I guess popular opinion had Scientist knocking out Jammy because his next album is the solo "Heavyweight Dub Champion." In an ironic twist of fate, Jammy would have the last laugh a few years later. While he went on to massive success in the mid-eighties with his Jammy's label and production squad, Scientist dwindled into oblivion with the coming of the digital age (set off by Jammy!). Supposedly he just wasn't feeling it. This special 2016 reissue includes a bonus disc including all the original Barrington Levy vocal versions with completely remastered sound and huge foldout poster. Official VP pressing with glossy sleeve - this is the version to own! 

• double vinyl version w/ vocals + dubs
• bonus disc includes original vocal versions
• remastered sound
• includes foldout poster
• music label: Greensleeves Records 2016

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2016