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Darren Fisher (2454 KP) rated Harder They Come Soundtrack by Jimmy Cliff in Music

Dec 12, 2020 (Updated Jan 15, 2021)  
Harder They Come Soundtrack by Jimmy Cliff
Harder They Come Soundtrack by Jimmy Cliff
1972 | Rock
10
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Album Rating
Superb Soundtrack
Pretty much introducing reggae to the rest of the world outside of Jamaica, this is very much an album of my childhood. The cassette player in the parents car, blaring this out, normally on our lengthy car journeys to our holiday destination. It wasn't until the late 80's that I actually got around to seeing the film. Blown away I invested in my own copy of this superb soundtrack, and it's been a consistent 'go to' album ever since. Jimmy Cliff provides the bulk of the album. The main theme song, which you get two excellent versions of here, was the only track especially recorded for the film. The rest of the album comprises of some of the greatest reggae tunes ever recorded from 1967-72. Featuring Desmond Dekker, The Maytals, Scotty, The Slickers and The Melodians, we hear infectious rhythms, funky Kingston breaks, a whole lot of soul, all topped off with Jamaican patois. It really doesn't get much better than this. An absolute classic.

Album highlights:
The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff
Johnny Too Bad - The Slickers
Pressure Drop - The Maytals
  
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Andy Gill recommended Dread Locks Dread by Big Youth in Music (curated)

 
Dread Locks Dread by Big Youth
Dread Locks Dread by Big Youth
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"The pre-dub stuff, which basically was called ska, was a bit faster: you've got Desmond Dekker, Dave & Ansell Collins, Jimmy Cliff. So skinheads loved that in the early 70s and rock fans looked up their nose at it. There were lots of silly lyrics. Rock fans who were into Clapton and Hendrix thought, ""What is this shit?"" That's probably part of the reason I loved it so much. Dread Locks Dread is an awesome, awesome record. I used to hate the way white rock bands would occasionally throw in a reggae number. But the whole reggae thing, the whole thing of instruments dropping out with dub reggae: suddenly the guitar will disappear and it's just the drums and bass, or the drums and bass will drop out and it's just the guitar. That kind of stuff. That awesome spaciousness. That's definitely something that very strongly influenced Gang Of Four."

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