Jimmy Cliff

I bought the record when it first came out almost 35 years ago. I had long since sold off the album. I ordered the CD recently and it arrived on my birthday. At my party, I played the album, and it was the most popular of the evening collectively by young and old alike. This is really a reggae classic.

If you like reggae, I dare say this is the essential album, except for perhaps To Catch a Fire.

I had this LP years ago, and loved it. Now without a turntable, I was so happy to find it re-released as a disc. It is very different, and a lot of fun to listen to. Real toe-tappers. A good one to play while cleaning the house....full of energy.

This was reggae before Bob Marley. Jimmy Cliff was its king and the major exporter of the music, primarily to England. This recording is timeless. A lot of gems from a variety of artists featured.

If you like reggae, you should have this CD. If you could only own 5 reggae CDs of all that is out there, this deserves to be one of those 5. I never tire of listening to these tracks after all these years. The other reviewers have ably described this music. I heartily agree. 5 more stars for The Harder They Come.
Favorite tracks (but I like them all)
1. Many Rivers To Cross
2. Rivers of Babylon
3. Pressure Drop
4. You Can Get It If You Really Want It
5. Sitting In Limbo

I forgot how good Jimmy Cliff is! This CD holds up very well to repeated listenings!

I purchased this cd for my wife and she has not stopped playing.She loves the cd.Great music.

Its upbeat which is fine, for a party or background beach bar music. Its not what I thought it would be. Amazon recommeded it and thats why I bought it. Amazon and I are still getting to know one another...

Jimmy Cliff is one of the greatest pioneers of reggae. He is my favourite reggae artist,and his sunshine feel-good is reggae-calypso music in it's best tradition. Reggae evolved from calypso, and one could say that reggae is the rock version of calypso.
This album is one of the most comprehensive collections of his work, and is a collection you have to have.
Includes the including the hope-filled song of brotherhood (and sisterhood), WONDERFUL WORLD BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, the beautiful and haunting MANY RIVERS TO CROSS, the 1960'protest song Vietnam (billed by Bob Dylan as the best protest song ever), Cliff's great cover of the Cat Stevens hit 'Wild World', African drumbeats of BONGO MAN (A COME), the angry The Harder They Come ,the inspirational Sooner Or Later and the equally inspirational You Can Get It If You Really Want , and Cliff's really spectacular cover of the Johnny Nash hit I Can See Clearly Now.
This is the definitive greatest hits album of Jimmy Cliff's work, mainly from the 60's and 70's.

This man, Jimmy Cliff, represents to me what reggae should sound like. And it's elegant as well. All the selections on this disc are great examples of really righteous Jamaican tunes from this super-talented musician.

For those who heard about the movie and its music but have neither seen or listened to it, the story is very simple. The protagonist with a Russian name, Ivan (probably because the filmmakers were Communists), comes to the big city and finds himself useless. Hi singing career goes nowhere as soon as he realises the real rules of the game of life. Then he gets - of course! - selling drugs and even here he becomes a loser. Finally he gets hold of a Smith&Wesson, becomes a sort of Robin Hood in the true Jamaican way, i.e. nothing for his own people, but everything for himself, with flashy cars and gold chains. Eventually government soldiers take him down. It's a story of desperation, if you please, or how tough a black's life was in Jamaica 35 years ago.

Now about the music. I never heard the original LP but this Deluxe Edition release is an ear-aching experience. Some tracks sound like they tried to 're-master' them but cleaning up made them worse (listen to '007', 'Pressure Drop', for instance). They were recorded and compiled by Island Records who at the same time were recording Bob Marley's first proper album, what a difference. We're talking about the approach to quality here. Why is it so bad here I don't know. I assume when it came out on a vinyl record, it sounded ok, but when you have the best stereo system in town like I do, the sound quality makes you cringe.

Get this reworked version of the all time reggae classic songs from the golden era. Only album every that can rank alongside the best of Marley.

this album holds its own against the very greatest albums of any genre. even if you are not a fan of reggae, i can't imagine you not loving this cd. there is so much joy, energy, passion and soul bursting from this music that it uplifts me each time i hear it, still fresh sounding to the ears 22 years after first finding it. jimmy cliff's vocals, in particular, are amazing. the songs which he performs on this album, "you can get it if you really want," "many rivers to cross," "the harder they come," and "sitting in limbo," are amongst the finest in the whole canon of reggae. each tune included here is a gem. don't let life go by without having this music in it.

The original version of this film soundtrack is the single most influential reggae album in the genre's history, and the most listenable reggae record from beginning to end. That's always been a bit surprising, given that the film's director selected the tracks in a harried weekend of picking-and-choosing among songs that struck a personal resonance. It's doubly amazing that the songs fit the film so perfectly, and that Chris Blackwell was able to weave the tracks from various artists into such a perfect, cohesive album. This is the essential introduction to reggae music, and a collection whose spirit and musicality simply never ceases to amaze.

Hip-O's 2-CD deluxe reissue couldn't really double the magic of the album's original dozen tracks, but the eighteen additions do help flesh out reggae's 1968-72 period. Highlights include Desmond Dekkar's anthemic "Israelites," Johnny Nash's pop-crossover "I Can See Clearly Now" (as well as his take of Bob Marley's "Guava Jelly"), the Maytals' biographical "54-46 (That's My Number)" (as well as their catchy sing-along "Pomp & Pride"), The Melodians soulful "Sweet Sensastion," and Jimmy Cliff's alternate take, "The Bigger They Come The Harder They Fall."

The packaging includes song lyrics, notes from director Perry Henzell and producer Chris Blackwell, and liners from reggae writer David Katz. The sound quality is sharp throughout. The deluxe edition is a bit pricey as an introduction (especially considering the nice-pricing of the original single disc), but worthwhile for anyone who's loved the original vinyl to death. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]

The thing that I didn't like abut the movie was that how the people talk and the jobs they had selling drugs and also where they live.

The thing that I like about the movie was the music they have and how Jamaica is.-- Christina---
.

I found myself putting the movie on while doing something else just to hear the soundtrack. So I bought the CD. If you like lazy island riffs than you'll like this. Same music that's in the movie....

Excellent wide selection of his music. Contains quite a bit of older songs, and newer ones would have been prefered

Maybe this is just me, but for some reason I don't feel that Jimmy Cliff, despite his undeniable talent, has ever recieved the recognition he desevers. He has always occupied an odd position in reggae music, mainly because he predates it significantly, and his commericial and intenational success has always been a bit spotty. Despite this, he truly is Jamaica's first international superstar. He might not be the king of Reggae like Bob Marley, but he was one of the founding fathers of the genre and helped bring it to a new level.
That being said, Hip-O has put together a near perfect anthology, which showcases many of Jimmy's greatest songs. Throughout his career, Jimmy has hopped around and recorded for many, many different record labels, but Hip-O has managed to collect a thorough body of the artist's work. For the first time, we get a good sense of Jimmy's career as a whole, because these songs date from 1962-1993, and reveal how rock steady of the 60s became reggae in the 70s. The songs are mainly all organized in chronological order, so Disc One contains mostly songs from the 60s, and some from the 70s. Disc Two is made up of songs from the 70s and 80s. So as you can see, this Anthology shows the complete evolution of one of the greatest artists in the history of Jamaican music. If you love reggae, and if you love Jimmy Cliff, I highly recommend getting this album. One Love...

Another excellent compilation of the work of brilliant Jamaican reggae star, Jimmy Cliff.
Jimmy Cliff's lilting tones, his feel good music and his sunny rhythm
combine to create beuatiful light reggae music.
The wise Time Will Tell, hope-filled jamborees like Wonderful World, Beautiful People and Sooner Or Later, the serenade Come Into My Life, the determined Hard Road To Travel and Use What I Got, the protest song Hard Road To Travel, the protest song Viet Nam, the heartrending Sufferin' In The Land, the stirring Bongo Man, the rollicking The Harder They Come, the jolly Fundamental Reggae and the gritty Under The Sun, Moon And Stars are just some of the gems on this album.
Better Days Are Coming and I Can See Clearly Now are pure joy and I prefer the Jimmy Cliff version of Wild World to the original Cat Stevens.
There is the African beat of Bongo man, and the mournful tones of House of Exile.
This is just such incredible feel good music.
A pity it isn't better known

Don't know why Jimmy Cliff's brand of reggae appeals to me so much more than the better known Bob Marley's, but there's something about Cliff's soaring voice, downright stirring and inspiring lyrics, and lilting tunes that continues to grab my ear. Maybe it's got something to do with being introduced to his music long ago at a college showing of his film "The Harder They Come" (still well worth viewing today). I'm not surprised that Bob Dylan calls Cliff's "Viet Nam" the best protest song ever written. It's typical of the songs included in this really tuneful collection: lyrics that actually say something, rather than the typical mother-my-dog silliness of most "pop" music; irresistable tunes that grab your ear and heart and never let go. So I'm also not surprised that it was Jimmy Cliff's music that led Paul Simon to embrace "world music" and even journey down to Jamaica to record with the same skilled musicians with whom Cliff recorded.

Each song is a small work of art. Disk 1 features his most familiar music. The songs on Disk 2 take a few listenings to grab you, but grab you they do. Whether his youthful "Miss Jamaica," one of Cliff's earliest recorded songs, or the rousing "The Harder They Come," or the wistful "Sitting in Limbo," Cliff simply delivers some of the most appealing, yet intelligent, songs you'll ever hear.

Jimmy Cliff is a master, and his music is fantastic, but this is not the album to go after. Although a nice double cd set, the second half of the second CD is entirely music produced well past Jimmy Cliff's prime. The first CD and the first half of the second CD are excellent classic reggae. It covers a wide range of his career, which for these parts, serves the listener very well. But in his later years, the beats start to fall apart and music acquires a rather synthetic feel. Jimmy Cliff is a very talented artist who created beautiful music, but I would recommend a different album such as Jimmy Cliff's "Jimmy Cliff"

I already had this and it was scratched. Great if you like Jamaican music

If you loved the movie, you'll love this CD. It's a feel good CD which you'll play repeatedly. Great mix of jammin' music with melodic tunes. You won't be disappointed, guaranteed!!

I think my review subject says it all.
This is quite simply, the best Soundtrack that i've ever heard.

If your a fan of the movie, you will love this. It has all the familiar soungs + more!

EY Sanka, we have a bobsled team!

Ever since I saw the movie way back in the 90's I wanted the soundtrack. Reggae is a very uplifting, happy type of music and I love it all. This CD is perfect for driving down the coast with the windows down, sunglasses on, hair blowing in your face with the volume all the way up. "I see pride. I see Powah. I see a badass mudda, who wont take no crap out of nobody!"

cool runnings is one of the greatest flims made which is based on the spirit of survival and pride. i love how the rastafarian culture has been protrayed to the western world... this is a movie based on jamica and last but not the lest for jamicans... the sountrack is superb.. the anthem is very touching and i salute the jamaican spirit.. jah rastafar

I don't really like to review, but fans of Jimmy Cliff should know that this is a pretty good one, except for the first 4 tracks which were remixed and sound like they want to be rap. Nothing against rap, but its not even good rap.

Reggae Music, concerning Jimmy Cliff he has some pretty good jams. He is one of the greatest reggae performers in he world of reggae. This album "Breakout" really was a ear opener,it sold out where ever it was being sold.I thought that I would never find this album again. I would rate this CD 10 stars on the rateing system thats if it went up to 10. Anyway these are some jams that you could never find in stores cause they don't sell it no more and that's why I'm going to purches it again. For all you Reggae fans if You don't have these tunes get it. you dont know what your missing.

I bought the record when it first came out almost 35 years ago. I had long since sold off the album. I ordered the CD recently and it arrived on my birthday. At my party, I played the album, and it was the most popular of the evening collectively by young and old alike. This is really a reggae classic.

If you like reggae, I dare say this is the essential album, except for perhaps To Catch a Fire.

I had this LP years ago, and loved it. Now without a turntable, I was so happy to find it re-released as a disc. It is very different, and a lot of fun to listen to. Real toe-tappers. A good one to play while cleaning the house....full of energy.

This was reggae before Bob Marley. Jimmy Cliff was its king and the major exporter of the music, primarily to England. This recording is timeless. A lot of gems from a variety of artists featured.

If you like reggae, you should have this CD. If you could only own 5 reggae CDs of all that is out there, this deserves to be one of those 5. I never tire of listening to these tracks after all these years. The other reviewers have ably described this music. I heartily agree. 5 more stars for The Harder They Come.
Favorite tracks (but I like them all)
1. Many Rivers To Cross
2. Rivers of Babylon
3. Pressure Drop
4. You Can Get It If You Really Want It
5. Sitting In Limbo

Jimmy Cliff was indeed, the herald of the reggae. In those early seventies, he dared to record a rhythm totally unknown for the most audiences, that in spite of the he fact it reached, notorious acknowledgment, after him Bobby Bloom would record Montego Bay. But Cliff paved the way and sow the seed for Bob Marley ten years after.

Tracks like "The harder they come" (that worked out as musical curtain in the famous cult movie of Perry Henzellin 1973) , "Come in to my life", "Wild world" and "Wonderful world, beautiful people", are still a corker.

Don't miss this album that represents certainly a remarkable piece of the variegated musical universe in that creative decade of the seventies.

OK this is definitely the best reggae compilation album. As far as I am concerned Jimmy Cliff is better than Bob Marley.
And this CD contains Jimmy Cliff's very best work.
When I was twelve years old, in 1984, I got hold of this exquisite Jimmy Cliff album called House of Exile (1974) , and since then the tape has been worn. I have since then, been unable to get another copy of House of Exile, but now I have found this fantastic album which has 5 incredible from House of Exile, as well as many other fantastic Jimmy Cliff hits.
The lively upbeat `Solid As a Rock', `Music Maker', the contemplative `House of Exile', the exquisite gospel piece, `I Want To Know' as well as songs from the late 60's like `Wonderful World, Beautiful People', `Suffering in the Land' and `Many Rivers to Cross'.
This is indeed a masterpiece. Let it be your first Cliff album, indeed your first reggae album.

This cd, while not earthshattering, is a good collection of the more essential Cliff recordings. It represents Cliff's most productive early-mid 70's period nicely, and certainly shows why Cliff is the reggae master for the ages. A tad overpriced, and I personally feel you can get much better, but still a nice collection all in all.

This compilation of Jimmy's music is simply the bomb!!Listen to House of exile through fundamental regggae and conclude why this man is the maestro.He interweaves true life situation and passion on this set.Simply the best.

This is the ultimate Jimmy Cliff CD. His more recent material from the '80s like Cliff Hanger and Hangin' Fire are great pop albums, but there is no better classic reggae than the songs on this CD. I will even argue that this album it is better than any offerings from his overproduced adversary, Bob Marley.

One of the best band organ CDs I've found -- great selection of songs and the sound quality is just right. Close your eyes and you can picture yourself riding on your favorite carousel of your childhood!

It's a toughie reviewing this album - I don't know quite how to rate it for the everyday listener, seeing as how band organ music is definitely an acquired taste. However, that said, if you happen to be a band organ nut, you're in for a treat with this CD. It's about as good as it gets.

Kudos to Klavier records for making a recording of this wonderful Wurlitzer 165 band organ - it sounds like a dream, and has transferred relatively well to CD format. My only complaint is that the glockenspiel sounds rather abrasive, and gets really grating when recorded onto a cassette tape. Otherwise, the album is pristine.

The tunes featured are all classic band organ offerings, and the rolls used are in splendid shape. The organ's mechanism performs beautifully - whatever "prominent Midwestern collection", as the liner notes read, it comes from is taking very good care of it.

Basically, this, alongside its sister album "Catch Another Brass Ring", stands as an ideal representation of what a Wurlitzer 165 should sound like. Band organ lovers will adore it. The average Joe? Hard to say...but it's certainly worth a try.

This is the real thing,not some [poor],boring pipe organ imitation.You'll feel like you're really at the fair again when you listen to this CD!

Play this CD on a system in another room, at low volume, for that ineffable feeling that there's a tumble-down old-fashioned trolley park just over the next hill.

This is the perfect antidote for the blues! It is absolutely impossible to feel down once you begin listening to this CD! I use it to give me a lift whenever I need it. I DARE you to not giggle with glee upon pressing the "play" button! If you have fond remembrances of carousel music as a child, you will get goosebumps and feel warm and fuzzy all at once when you listen to this! Why take anti-depressant drugs when you can cure the blahs quickly and naturally with this CD? An exceptionally clear recording, I bumped it down to four stars ONLY because I liked the musical selection slightly better on their follow-up album, "Catch Another Brass Ring."