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Although this is subtitled "The Best of Jimmy Cliff," it's really a label-specific best-of, not a true survey of the best material Cliff's done in his lengthy career. That's because no less than two-thirds of the 15 selections are taken from the singer's 1980 Columbia albums. A few of his most famous earlier recordings (the 1969 hit "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" and two songs from the soundtrack to The Harder They Come) were licensed, and there are also cuts he contributed to other soundtracks ("Third World People," done for Club Paradise, and "I Can See Clearly Now" from Cool Runnings). But basically, it's the best of Cliff's Columbia years, not a balanced survey of a career that began back in the early '60s. That wouldn't be such a problem, but -- as most Cliff and reggae fans would agree -- his later recordings, such as his Columbia albums, certainly are not up to his prime earlier output. Most of it is mundane crossover reggae/R&B/pop. Cliff sings consistently well, but the production is often too slick in a dated 1980s fashion. The reggae isn't always buried by any means; cuts like "Treat the Youths Right" and "Roots Woman" are reasonable upbeat Cliff originals, and "Peace Officer" has the sort of political concerns common to much reggae music. On the other hand, something like "Reggae Night" is a forgettable attempt to reach into the R&B dance market. Most of the disc is better than that, but its overall bland character is set all the more in relief when periodically interrupted by those older licensed tracks.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
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Ranchie McLean, Acoustic Bass - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Mixing Engineer - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Mallory Williams, Keyboards - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Jimmy Cliff Oneness, Producer - Uzziah Sticky Thompson, Percussion - Paul Higgins, Engineer - Paul Higgins, Mixing Engineer - Barbara Ivone, 2nd Engineer - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Drums - Earl Smith, Guitar - Mickey Richards, Drums - Herb Powers, Mastering Engineer - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Greg Fitz, Background Vocal - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Ras Bryan, Guitar - Rick Lantosca, Co-Producer - Rick Lantosca, Engineer - Rick Lantosca, Mixing Engineer - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist
(P) 1983 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Ranchie McLean, Acoustic Bass - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Mallory Williams, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Composer - Amir Bayyan, Co-Producer - Amir Bayyan, Lyricist - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Jimmy Cliff Oneness, Producer - Huey Harris, Composer - Huey Harris, Lyricist - Uzziah Sticky Thompson, Percussion - Ronald Bell, Co-Producer - Jim Bonnefond, Mixing Engineer - Raymond Harris, Composer - Raymond Harris, Lyricist - Paul Higgins, Engineer - Barbara Ivone, 2nd Engineer - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Drums - Jim Bonnefond, Co-Producer - Joseph Williams, Composer - Joseph Williams, Lyricist - Mickey Richards, Drums - Earl Smith, Guitar - Herb Powers, Mastering Engineer - Greg Fitz, Background Vocal - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Ras Bryan, Guitar - Rick Lantosca, Engineer - Rick Lantosca, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1983 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Johnny Nash, Composer - Johnny Nash, Lyricist - Unknown, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Sydney Wolfe, Congas - Sydney Wolfe, Bongos - David Madden, Trumpet - David Madden, Flugelhorn - Oneness, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Congas - Jimmy Cliff, Bongos - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Bertram Ranchi McLean, Bass - Chris Kimsey, Producer - John Paris, Harmonica - Barbara Jones, Background Vocal - Ansel Collins, Background Vocal - Ansel Collins, Piano - Ansel Collins, Organ - Dougie Bryan, Background Vocal - Alvina (Topaz) Del Bettis, Background Vocal - Harry T. Powell, Congas - Harry T. Powell, Bongos - Phil Ramocan, Piano - Earl Chinna, Background Vocal - Earl Chinna, Congas - Earl Chinna, Bongos - Dean Fraser, Saxophone - Sticky Thompson, Background Vocal - Uzziah StickThompson, Percussion - Radcliff Dougie Bryan, Guitar - Pee Wee Dread, Flute - Ronald (Nambo) Robinson, Trombone - Mikey Boo Richards, Drums - Bryon Allred, Piano - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Earl (Chinna) Smith, Guitar - Junior "Chico" Chin, Trumpet
(P) 1982 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, 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
Steve Goldman, Producer - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Jimmy Cliff, Producer
(P) 1986 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Sydney Wolfe, Congas - Sydney Wolfe, Bongos - David Madden, Trumpet - David Madden, Flugelhorn - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Congas - Jimmy Cliff, Bongos - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Bertram Ranchi McLean, Bass - Chris Kimsey, Producer - John Paris, Harmonica - Barbara Jones, Background Vocal - Ansel Collins, Background Vocal - Ansel Collins, Piano - Ansel Collins, Organ - Dougie Bryan, Background Vocal - Alvina (Topaz) Del Bettis, Background Vocal - Harry T. Powell, Congas - Harry T. Powell, Bongos - Phil Ramocan, Piano - Earl Chinna, Background Vocal - Earl Chinna, Congas - Earl Chinna, Bongos - Dean Fraser, Saxophone - Sticky Thompson, Background Vocal - Uzziah StickThompson, Percussion - Radcliff Dougie Bryan, Guitar - Pee Wee Dread, Flute - Ronald (Nambo) Robinson, Trombone - Mikey Boo Richards, Drums - Bryon Allred, Piano - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Earl (Chinna) Smith, Guitar - Junior "Chico" Chin, Trumpet
(P) 1982 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ranchie McLean, Acoustic Bass - Liz Jackson, Composer - Liz Jackson, Lyricist - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Mallory Williams, Keyboards - Amir Bayyan, Composer - Amir Bayyan, Producer - Amir Bayyan, Lyricist - Amir Bayyan, Mixing Engineer - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Uzziah Sticky Thompson, Percussion - Ronald Bell, Producer - Paul Higgins, Engineer - Paul Higgins, Mixing Engineer - Barbara Ivone, 2nd Engineer - Sidney Wolfe, Percussion - Sidney Wolfe, Drums - Jim Bonnefond, Producer - Mickey Richards, Drums - Earl Smith, Guitar - Herb Powers, Mastering Engineer - Meekaaeel Muhammed, Background Vocal - Greg Fitz, Background Vocal - Cynthia Huggins, Background Vocal - Ras Bryan, Guitar - Rick Lantosca, Engineer - Rick Lantosca, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1983 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainent
Sydney Wolfe, Congas - Sydney Wolfe, Bongos - H. Spence, Composer - H. Spence, Lyricist - David Madden, Trumpet - David Madden, Flugelhorn - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Congas - Jimmy Cliff, Bongos - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Bertram Ranchi McLean, Bass - Chris Kimsey, Producer - John Paris, Harmonica - Barbara Jones, Background Vocal - Ansel Collins, Background Vocal - Ansel Collins, Piano - Ansel Collins, Organ - Dougie Bryan, Background Vocal - Alvina (Topaz) Del Bettis, Background Vocal - Harry T. Powell, Congas - Harry T. Powell, Bongos - Phil Ramocan, Piano - Earl Chinna, Background Vocal - Earl Chinna, Congas - Earl Chinna, Bongos - Dean Fraser, Saxophone - Sticky Thompson, Background Vocal - Uzziah StickThompson, Percussion - Radcliff Dougie Bryan, Guitar - Pee Wee Dread, Flute - Ronald (Nambo) Robinson, Trombone - Mikey Boo Richards, Drums - Bryon Allred, Piano - Earl (Chinna) Smith, Guitar - Junior "Chico" Chin, Trumpet
(P) 1982 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Sydney Wolfe, Congas - Sydney Wolfe, Bongos - Ron Wood, Guitar - David Madden, Trumpet - David Madden, Flugelhorn - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Congas - Jimmy Cliff, Bongos - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Bertram Ranchi McLean, Bass - Chris Kimsey, Producer - John Paris, Harmonica - Barbara Jones, Background Vocal - Ansel Collins, Background Vocal - Ansel Collins, Piano - Ansel Collins, Organ - Dougie Bryan, Background Vocal - Alvina (Topaz) Del Bettis, Background Vocal - Harry T. Powell, Congas - Harry T. Powell, Bongos - Phil Ramocan, Piano - Earl Chinna, Background Vocal - Earl Chinna, Congas - Earl Chinna, Bongos - Dean Fraser, Saxophone - Sticky Thompson, Background Vocal - Uzziah StickThompson, Percussion - Radcliff Dougie Bryan, Guitar - Pee Wee Dread, Flute - Ronald (Nambo) Robinson, Trombone - Mikey Boo Richards, Drums - Bryon Allred, Piano - J. CLIFF, Composer - J. CLIFF, Lyricist - Earl (Chinna) Smith, Guitar - Junior "Chico" Chin, Trumpet
(P) 1982 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Basile Nga Nga, 2nd Engineer - Errol Brown, Engineer - Marhn Bakala, Engineer - Ronald Bell, Producer - Manuel Herrara, Keyboards - Anthony Williams, Drums - Mark Attalla, Guitar - Khalis Bayyan, Producer - Khalis Bayyan, Keyboards - Denis Halliburton, Engineer - Jimmy Cliff, Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Composer - Jimmy Cliff, Background Vocal - Jimmy Cliff, Lyricist - Jimmy Cliff, Producer - Jimmy Cliff, Performer - Radcliffe Bryan, Guitar - I.B.M.C., Producer - Glenroy Browne, Bass - Ansel Collins, Keyboards - Alex Williams, Guitar - Bowie McLaughlin, Keyboards - Kendal Stubbs, Engineer - Kendal Stubbs, Mixing Engineer - Kendal Stubbs, Drum Programmer - Kendal Stubbs, Bass
(P) 1987 Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (USA)
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
Album review
Although this is subtitled "The Best of Jimmy Cliff," it's really a label-specific best-of, not a true survey of the best material Cliff's done in his lengthy career. That's because no less than two-thirds of the 15 selections are taken from the singer's 1980 Columbia albums. A few of his most famous earlier recordings (the 1969 hit "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" and two songs from the soundtrack to The Harder They Come) were licensed, and there are also cuts he contributed to other soundtracks ("Third World People," done for Club Paradise, and "I Can See Clearly Now" from Cool Runnings). But basically, it's the best of Cliff's Columbia years, not a balanced survey of a career that began back in the early '60s. That wouldn't be such a problem, but -- as most Cliff and reggae fans would agree -- his later recordings, such as his Columbia albums, certainly are not up to his prime earlier output. Most of it is mundane crossover reggae/R&B/pop. Cliff sings consistently well, but the production is often too slick in a dated 1980s fashion. The reggae isn't always buried by any means; cuts like "Treat the Youths Right" and "Roots Woman" are reasonable upbeat Cliff originals, and "Peace Officer" has the sort of political concerns common to much reggae music. On the other hand, something like "Reggae Night" is a forgettable attempt to reach into the R&B dance market. Most of the disc is better than that, but its overall bland character is set all the more in relief when periodically interrupted by those older licensed tracks.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 01:03:12
- Main artists: Jimmy Cliff
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Columbia - Legacy
- Genre: World
Originally Released 1969, 1970, 1971 Island Records Inc., (P) 1982,1983,1985,1986,1988,1993,2002 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
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