Artist: Big Youth Album: Some Great Big Youth

Year: 1990
Duration: 0:0-1

A Deep Dive into Big Youth's Some Great Big Youth: An Honest Review of the Album

For music lovers who are fans of reggae, Big Youth’s name is not new. He is one of the pioneers of Jamaican music, leading in the introduction of the genre reggae to the world. His music is synonymous with great rhythms and meaningful lyrics, and one of his best works is the album Some Great Big Youth. It's a classic with songs that will take you back to the early days of Jamaican music. In this post, we will give you a of the album, outlining the history of the artist, the genre of music, the best songs, the innovative parts, and a critic to the album.

Brief History of Big Youth

Born in Jamaica in 1949, Big Youth is one of the faces of reggae music. His real name is Manley Buchanan. He started recording music in the mid-60s, working with different producers. His music was heavily influenced by the Rastafarian culture, and he became associated with the religion. In 1972, he released his debut album, Screaming Target, which was a commercial success. He continued his music career, releasing more albums, touring the world, and collaborating with different artists.

Genre of the Album

The album Some Great Big Youth was released in 1980, and it embodies the reggae culture of the 70s and 80s. Reggae music is known for its fusion of African rhythms and the Jamaican music genre Ska. One of the key features of reggae music is the use of a strong bassline, rhythm guitar, and drums. Big Youth's music is a blend of these features, and his music has become iconic in the reggae music industry.

Best Songs of the Album

The album Some Great Big Youth has ten songs, each with its reggae feel. The best songs are Singer Man, Tell It Black, and Natty Cultural Dread. These songs are heavily influenced by the Rastafarian culture and are vocal about the struggles of the people at the time. Singer Man is a tribute to musicians, while Tell It Black addresses issues in the music industry. Natty Cultural Dread is a call for people to embrace their culture and respect their identity.

Innovative Parts of the Album

Innovative Parts of the Album

One of the most significant innovative parts of the album is the use of dubbing. Dubbing is a technique that was developed in Jamaica in the 70s, which involves stripping backing tracks of music and adding effects. Big Youth makes use of this technique on the song Hit the Road Jack. This song is a cover of the Ray Charles classic, and the dubbing effect adds to the song's grooviness.

Critics of the Album

As much as Some Great Big Youth is a classic, it has received criticism from some music lovers. Some people believe that the album is too repetitive and that the songs sound too similar. Others think that the subject matter of the songs is too focused on Rastafarian culture and that it can be limiting to people who don't embrace it.
In conclusion, Some Great Big Youth is a classic album that remains iconic in the reggae music genre. The album captures the essence of Jamaican music from the 70s and 80s, and it remains a favorite for many music lovers. Big Youth's music not only entertains but also educates, making it meaningful to people who embrace the Rastafarian culture. While the album has received criticism, it remains one of the best works of Big Youth's career, and it is worth listening to.