Big Joe

Born Joseph Spalding around 1955 in Kingston, Jamaica, Big Spalding launched his recording career during the early 1970s. His first studio work took place alongside Harry Mudie, yielding the tracks “Run Girl,” “Woodcutter Skank” and “Black Stick Rock.” In 1973 he linked with Lloyd Daley for “Glitter Not Gold,” a number that applied the familiar proverb to daily realities in Jamaica. Producer Winston Edwards then guided sessions that produced “Weed Specialist,” “Hog Inna Minty” and “Selassie Skank”; the last of these appeared in Britain on Dennis Harris’ DIP imprint and became his most successful release. Drawing on the public excitement surrounding Haile Selassie’s visit to Jamaica, the track rode Roman Stewart’s “Try Me” rhythm. After those dates Big Spalding shifted to Studio One, cutting “Get Out Baldhead,” “Red Rob” and the DJ take on Larry Marshall’s “Nanny Goat” known as “Nanny Version.” Additional successes followed when he rejoined forces with Daley and Jackie Brown. Soon afterward he launched his own productions and label while operating the Small Axe Hi Fi sound system at venues including Chocomo’s Lawn and Jubilee Lawn. Recording continued into the early 1980s, bringing further chart entries with “Dignity And Principal” and the Bunny Lee–produced “Out Of Sight Out Of Mind.”