Jimmy Cliff

Although Jamaica's Jimmy Cliff has had a long and continuing career on the international scene with his thoughtful and infectious brand of reggae-pop, his best work was undoubtedly done in the late '60s and early '70s, the period covered by this collection. There are some great tracks here, most notably his powerful protest song "Viet Nam," the title track, "The Harder They Come," from the Harder They Come soundtrack, his stately nyahbinghi-based hymn "Bongo Man," and the first recorded version of Cat Stevens' "Wild World," actually produced by Stevens, who then went on to voice his own hit record of the song. Unfortunately, Cliff's breakthrough hit, 1969's "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" (inspired by Cliff's appearance at the 1968 International Song Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and what is arguably his finest song, the gorgeous "Many Rivers to Cross," are both absent, making this collection feel a little bit incomplete. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide