The Heptones – Night Food (feat. Devin Morrison & Joanne Highland)

The Heptones – Night Food (feat. Devin Morrison & Joanne Highland)

Author: Nate Bridges & Brandon Niznik August 19, 2026 Duration: 2:11:31

The best Jamaican vocal trio? It's Week 5 of Reggae Summer, and Brandon's pick is The Heptones' 1976 Island album Night Food — their Studio One classics re-cut at Harry J's studio into a lush, international-facing set.

We're joined by two experts in singing Jamaican music, Devin Morrison (The Expanders, "Man Like Devin," Long Beach Dub Allstars) and Joanne Highland, for a deep dive on harmony and the art of the vocal group. We cover the Heptones' rise through Coxsone's Studio One; Leroy Sibbles' double role as the label's house bassist and arranger; the Harry J re-recordings and Danny Holloway's production; the players in the room, including Robbie Shakespeare; standout tracks like "Book of Rules," "Sweet Talking," "I've Got the Handle" and "Love Won't Come Easy"; and our Favorite/Best game.

CHAPTERS:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:21:42 - Who are The Heptones?

00:39:59 - Production and Vocal Trios

01:16:53 - Standout Songs

01:40:18 - Favorite/Best

02:00:39 - Final Thoughts

Support the show and get ad-free episodes at https://patreon.com/blackmarketdub Our music: https://blackmarketdub.bandcamp.com Vinyl: https://escapehatchrecords.com Instagram: @blackmarket_dub Watch the video episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/blackmarketdub Email us: blackmarketreggae@gmail.com


There’s a particular kind of conversation that happens when two working musicians sit down to really listen-not just hear, but dissect and appreciate the layers of a record. That’s the space Playback with Black Market Dub occupies. Hosted by producers Nate Bridges and Brandon Niznik, this podcast leverages their combined experience recording artists across many genres to inform a deeper dialogue about music. The format is elegantly simple: each episode, one of them selects an album, and together they review, debate, and unpack it. They go beyond track-by-track reactions, placing each work within its broader musical lineage, cultural moment, and historical significance. Whether it’s a foundational classic or a contemporary release, Nate and Brandon’s discussions are rooted in the technical and artistic choices that give an album its character. You’ll hear the insights of practitioners who know what it’s like to be on both sides of the glass, making this more than casual criticism-it’s a masterclass in attentive listening. The result is a consistently engaging and thoughtful exploration of why albums matter, delivered with the easy rapport of two friends who have spent a lifetime thinking about sound. Tune in for a music podcast that feels like sitting in on a great, informed conversation between creatives.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 39

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