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It's a bit ironic that CLIFFHANGER earned Jimmy Cliff a Grammy Award in 1986. Stylistically, it is a far cry from the recordings that made him a star in the previous decade. The record shows off a smoother, more homogenized sound, with big guitars that spread like a wash or wail in the Van Halen style, chirping synthesizers, programmed drums, and other '80s touches. Lyrically, Cliff is less confrontational than in the past. With the exception of "Nuclear War," these songs generally avoid the social themes that one associates with classic reggae.
Of course, Cliff still works within the reggae style, but here it sounds less like the rhythm of resistance than the rhythm of the dance floor, with a souped-up beat and "biddly bongs" and "rub-a-dubs" aplenty. Upbeat, fluffy numbers like "Reggae Street" and "American Sweet" both rhyme their titles with "reggae beat." On a few songs, the Kool and the Gang horn section adds to the jaunty party atmosphere. Besides the ballad, "Now and Forever," most of CLIFFHANGER consists of simple light reggae that goes down as easily as Coca Cola on a hot day.
© TiVo
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Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Producer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Rick Rowe, Mastering Engineer - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - A. BAYYAN, Composer - A. BAYYAN, Lyricist - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Producer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Latoya, Composer - Latoya, Lyricist - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Rick Rowe, Mastering Engineer - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Paul Higgins, Producer - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Producer - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - A. BAYYAN, Composer - A. BAYYAN, Lyricist - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Producer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Latoya, Composer - Latoya, Lyricist - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Paul Higgins, Producer - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Producer - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Producer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Producer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Producer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Rick Rowe, Mastering Engineer - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Paul Higgins, Producer - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Producer - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Keyboards - Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), Tenor Saxophone - Cliff Adams, Trombone - Mike Ray, Trumpet - Syd Judah, Horns - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Piano - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Amir Bayyan, Drum Programmer - Amir Bayyan, Guitar - Amir Bayyan, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Synthesizer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Organ - Sly Dunbar, Percussion - Kendal Stubbs, Acoustic Bass - Dennis White, Horns - Fernando Luis, Guitar - Christopher Meredith, Bass - Kool & The Gang Horns, Horns - Bert Clardy, Jerry McElroy Ice Cold Love: Jeff Clardy, Background Vocal - Isidro "Cosa" Ross, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Harold Butler, Keyboards - Samiyyah Motley, Background Vocal - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Background Vocal - Wilburn Cole, Drums - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Curtis Williams, Saxophone - Curtis Williams, Alto Saxophone - Derrick Culler, Background Vocal - Earl "Chinna" Smith, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Guitar - Rick Iantosca, Keyboards - Peter Duarte, Horns - Robbie Shakespeare, Guitar - Robbie Shakespeare, Acoustic Bass - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Jaco Pastorius, Acoustic Bass - Gary Henry, Keyboards - Gary Henry, Piano - Gary Henry, Synthesizer
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Album review
It's a bit ironic that CLIFFHANGER earned Jimmy Cliff a Grammy Award in 1986. Stylistically, it is a far cry from the recordings that made him a star in the previous decade. The record shows off a smoother, more homogenized sound, with big guitars that spread like a wash or wail in the Van Halen style, chirping synthesizers, programmed drums, and other '80s touches. Lyrically, Cliff is less confrontational than in the past. With the exception of "Nuclear War," these songs generally avoid the social themes that one associates with classic reggae.
Of course, Cliff still works within the reggae style, but here it sounds less like the rhythm of resistance than the rhythm of the dance floor, with a souped-up beat and "biddly bongs" and "rub-a-dubs" aplenty. Upbeat, fluffy numbers like "Reggae Street" and "American Sweet" both rhyme their titles with "reggae beat." On a few songs, the Kool and the Gang horn section adds to the jaunty party atmosphere. Besides the ballad, "Now and Forever," most of CLIFFHANGER consists of simple light reggae that goes down as easily as Coca Cola on a hot day.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:40:02
- Main artists: Jimmy Cliff
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Columbia
- Genre: World
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc..
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