Gregory Isaacs 12" and extended mixes

[Jah Power]

One of the things we really like are the extended mixes of Gregory Isaacs - usually on the 12" singles. There seem to be hundreds of CD compilations of his music but very little of this sort of music, or am I missing something? I've got a few here and there, on various albums, but can anyone point me at a place I can get more? Obviously I could buy a lot of the singles but that would cost a fortune (and I have quite a few already). Any information welcome!

[Roman]

My favs are:

Gregory Isaacs / Prince Far I - Uncle Joe / Brother Joe
Gregory Isaacs / U-Roy - Financial Endorsement
Gregory Isaacs - Rumours (12" mix)

[Jah Power]

I was thinking about where these are on CDs so that I could get them easily but a list of all the ones people know of would be very useful too, thanks for starting it! I'll see what I have and post them.

[Mark T]

Most of the extended mixes are on singles and it's probably the way to get them. There is a Showcase album recorded with Sly and Robbie which is 6 extended mix tracks - but I don't think it got a decent CD release. One CD I listened to sounded as though it was ripped from vinyl.
The two Best Of albums he recorded for GG's have a number of tracks that were released as 12" mixes as well. The B&F release has some extended tracks.
Mark T

[Jah Power]

Thanks for the tip about the BAF reissue of Mr Isaacs - I have an older one without the long versions. I'll buy a copy when the online shop is working. The trouble with buying the singles is that they cost a lot and are mostly not in good condition. Plus they are very difficult to find!

[Roman]

"Brother Joe" by Prince Far I is also available on a Pressure Sounds LP/CD compilation called "Health & Strength"

[Jah Power]

Now that is one I have but had forgotten it. We could end up with a discography of Gregory Isaacs extended versions here. It seems that some of the A side long versions get onto CDs but very few of the B side, esp if they are dubs. Two of my favourites were The Border and Poor And Clean, very long with different mixes on the B sides, these are the sort I really like!

[dan i dubdub]

Poor & Clean 12" does it for me

[jb welda]

red rose for Gregory has extended mixes of rumours, roughneck and maybe a couple of other tracks from the time I think.

one love
jb

[j j]

My 12" of his "Secretary" has a fault that makes Greg sound like he's blowing bubbles as he sings, I wonder if all copies are like this??

j j

[shadrach]

Mr. Know it All (DEB 12")

[Well Charge]

I second "Mr Know It All" which was released on a cd (blood & fire label).
Also on the Trojan 12" box - if these are still available - there was the very recommendable heavy steppers tune 'Never Be Ungrateful'.
'Going Downtown' is another good one.

[Werner]

The album "The Sensational Gregory Isaacs" has extended mixes of "Mr. Know it All", "Too Late" (a personal favorite) and "Sun Shines for Me".

[Reggie Love]

There's a cd called 'Lonely Days' which has excellent extended versions of Border and Tumbling Tears, with U Brown and Ranking Barnabus on the mic respectively.

[Ringo]

My 12" of his "Secretary" has a fault that makes Greg sound like he's blowing bubbles as he sings, I wonder if all copies are like this??

j j

I played the 7" at the weekend, having not picked it up for years. I'm not convinced its the vinyl, he sounds unwell. Similar in voice to the period in later years when his health had deteriorated, although he did seem to sing a lot better again in the years preceding his death.