BILLY BOYO - ZIM ZIM

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ZIM ZIM

TRACKLIST


1. Jamaica Nice
2. Dub Freeze
3. Zim Zim
4. Stagolee Stylee
5. Dreadlocks Party
6. Dread Skank
7. Every Mockell Tell
8. Got to Say It
9. Iron Woman
10. Vote for Me
11. I Like Your Something
12. B.B.'s Posse






BACKED BY: Trevor Ranking


PRODUCED BY: Silver Camel
REMIXED BY: Silver Kamel

You may not have heard of him (and if you have, it may have been from Island's Reggae Greats: DJs compilation, but Billy Boyo was an early '80s "sing-jay" styled DJ whose talent was sadly disproportionate compared to the limited amount of exposure and success he garnered, particularly here in the USA. A cohort (primarily as part of brother in-law Henry "Junjo" Lawes' Volcano sound system) of more recognized artists like Little John, Buro Banton, Ranking Toyan, Dillinger, Welton Irie, and Yellowman, Billy Boyo more than held his own in comparison when he took the mike (sadly, though, he passed away in 2000). Until recently, though, it had been difficult to get a hold of his work (most of it from1982-84). But thankfully, the London-based label Silver Camel that released some of his work has re-surfaced in America and has begun to re-release its vintage catalog (along with some new material) -- check out www.silverkamelaudio.com for details. A highlight of the label's early re-issues is Zim Zim, a fun, previously unreleased showcase for Billy Boy (featuring 6 vocal tracks and their respective dubs) that will hopefully expose him to a much wider audience. It's very interesting listening to an album like this today; given the resurgence and re-packaging of the sing-jay stylee -- which has been "in" and "out" and back "in" again -- as well as the tendency nowadays to sample older throwback rhythms, Zim Zim actually still sounds quite fresh. The production and sound quality are crisp and clean, and the music is vintage -- familiar, though not overly so -- pre-digital dancehall propelled by muscular bass and drums. As far as Billy Boy, his sing-songy vocals are distinctly youthful (looks and sounds like he couldn't have been much more than 16 years old at the time), yet he performs with a confidence beyond his age, chatting in a honed, rhythmic flow that displays his sense of humor, his lyrical wordplay, and his vocal dexterity. Although admittedly this is not the style of reggae that I listen to most, I found Zim Zim thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, and I think it compares favorably to the works of old school DJs like Yellowman, Lone Ranger, and Brigadier Jerry. If you crave the freewheeling, hard-hitting pre-digital dancehall style of the early '80s, then this is a hidden gem worth uncovering.