| Disc: 1 |
| 1. Israelites – Desmond Dekker & The Aces |
| 2. Viet Nam – Jimmy Cliff |
| 3. You Can Get It If You Really Want – Desmond Dekker |
| 4. Pressure Drop – Toots & The Maytals |
| 5. The Harder They Come – Jimmy Cliff |
| 6. Country Road – Toots & The Maytals |
| 7. Carry Go Bring Come – Justin Hinds & The Dominoes |
| 8. Country Boy – The Heptones |
| 9. King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown – Augustus Pablo |
| 10. War Ina Babylon – Max Romeo & The Upsetters |
| Disc: 2 |
| 1. Bionic Dread – Dillinger |
| 2. Dreadlocks in Moonlight – Lee Perry |
| 3. To Be A Lover (Have Mercy) – George Faith |
| 4. Now That We Found Love – Third World |
| 5. Social Living [Extended Mix] – Burning Spear |
| 6. Chill Out [US 12" Mix] – Black Uhuru |
| 7. The World Is Troubled – Dennis Brown |
| 8. Mondays [US 12" Mix] – Black Uhuru |
| 9. The Bed’s Too Big Without You [US 12" Mix] – Sheila Hylton |
| 10. Sexual Healing – Jimmy Riley |
Reggae Gold,Various Artists,Hip-O Records,DJ,Lovers Rock,Pop,Reggae,Reggae Collections,Reggae-Pop,Roots Reggae,V/a Compilations
Average customer rating:
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Motown Classics: Gold
Various Artists Manufacturer: Motown ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007OY474 Release Date: 2005-03-01 |
Tracks:
- Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong
- Shop Around - The Miracles
- Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
- Do You Love Me - The Contours
- You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
- Fingertips, Part 2 - Stevie Wonder
- (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
- My Guy - Mary Wells
- Where Did Our Love Go - The Supremes
- Dancing In The Street - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - Marvin Gaye
- My Girl - The Temptations
- Shotgun - Junior Walker and The All Stars
- Stop! In The Name Of Love - The Supremes
- I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - Four Tops
- The Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- Uptight (Everything's Alright) - Stevie Wonder
- Going To A Go Go - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations
- What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted - Jimmy Ruffin
Tracks:
- You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes
- Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
- Jimmy Mack - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
- Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Gladys Knight & The Pips
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
- My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) - David Ruffin
- I Can't Get Next To You - The Temptations
- I Want You Back - Jackson 5
- Someday We'll Be Together - Diana Ross & The Supremes
- Up The Ladder To The Roof - The Supremes
- Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) - The Temptations
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Stevie Wonder
- It's A Shame - The Spinners
- War - Edwin Starr
- The Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
- Smiling Faces Sometimes - The Undisputed Truth
- Papa Was A Rolling Stone - The Temptations
- Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) - Gladys Knight & The Pips
Customer Reviews:
A Treasure Chest Of Artists And Their Classic Cuts.......2007-04-13
Without investing in the pricey boxed CD sets, this collection is perhaps the best of the Motown bunch, with 40 songs that captures the true essence of what made the label great; artists who believed in their music, songs that told real stories and hooks that are as infectious today as they were when initially issued all those years ago.
Barrett Strong's Money (That's What I Want), the Four Tops' I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), Going To A Go Go by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and the Supremes' You Can't Hurry Love are great examples of complex themes that are wonderfully told within a commercial - Top 40 -radio format.
The juxtaposing of I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye is an especially nice touch. And though artists like Bruce Springsteen and Frankie Goes To Hollywood have recorded War, nothing beats the powerful vocals of Edwin Starr.
This is not a smorgasbord sampler that's tossed together with little thought; the two CDs are a treasure chest of legendary artists and the songs that defined a generation.
I heard it through the grapevine ..........2007-03-25
Absolutely Fantastic!!.......2007-02-11
Debbi
One of my Favorite CDs.......2006-10-29
Another great Motown Classics CD.......2006-05-31
Average customer rating:
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Reggae Gold 2007
Various Artists Manufacturer: Vp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000PLCMPU Release Date: 2007-06-12 |
Tracks:
- Watch Them Roll - Sean Paul
- This Is Why I'm Hot - MIMS
- Top Shotta Nah Miss - Mavado
- Bad From Mi Born - Munga
- Last Night - Mavado
- Bring It - Elephant Man
- Bobby Reds - Buju Banton
- Brooklyn And Jamaica - Morgan Heritage
- Sticky - Jah Cure
- My Fadah Seh - Gyptian
- Hide Away - Tessanne
- Love And Affection - Pressure
- I Need Her In My Arms - I-Wayne
- Sacrifice - Alaine
- More Woman - Shaggy
Customer Reviews:
YA HO!.......2007-06-19
Opener WATCH THEM ROLL is Sean Paul by-numbers, fairly uninspired, but things are looking up shortly thereafter. New bad man on the block Mavado - whose debut GANGSTA FOR LIFE album is scheduled for release via VP in July - features twice, first with his scorching TOP SHOTTA NAH MISS on the rough, tough POWERCUT rhythm, then with the deadly LAST NIGHT. No matter how you feel about guns and gangsters - and I'll definitely say that to me, a bad man's about as much good as a dead man - it's clear that Mavado is a major talent, capable of building and sustaining huge, earthquaking vibes. The equally exciting Munga Honourebel also scores a direct hit with his first class BAD FROM MI BORN. Veterans Elephant Man and Buju Banton tackle a couple of roots reggae rhythm updates, with Ellie on Sly and Robbie's classic UNMETERED TAXI (BRING IT) and Buju tearing into the M16 (BOBBY RED), both excellent selections.
Shane Brown flashes his bona fide roots reggae credentials - via his father, legendary engineer Errol Brown - on the brilliant STATEMENT rhythm, his bubbling, dubwise follow up to last year's CONFESSIONS (see Chuck Fenda's massive GASH DEM). Morgan Heritage's sizzling BROOKLYN & JAMAICA is pretty much the best take on the rhythm, but the full-length sampler is also worth picking up with quality contributions from Elephant Man, Kiprich, Busy Signal, Sizzla, Voicemail, Anthony B and others. Check it out. It's always good to hear the exceptionally gifted Jah Cure, especially now that he's not recording so frequently, and STICKY on the new JAMDOWN rhythm is pure niceness, definitely not his best-ever performance, but just a really classic roots reggae vocal and the perfect antidote to all the rudeboy runnings. The remarkably talented - and frustratingly under-recorded - I Wayne also scores with the very romantic NEED HER IN MY ARMS, and Virgin Islands chanter Pressure keeps the lights down low for his excellent, Vendetta-produced LOVE & AFFECTION. Gyptian's MY FADDAH SEH is nice, too.
It's not all solid gold though. I've never been able to tune in to Tessanne Chin's inexplicably popular HIDE AWAY, which sounds to me like a moderately updated, early nineties-style power rock ballad. Ms. Chin has a gorgeous, beautifully controlled voice, easily the equal of current favourite Alaine, but HIDE AWAY just doesn't belong on a REGGAE GOLD collection. Actually, I wasn't too impressed with Alaine's SACRIFICE, either, definitely not one of Vendetta's better productions, and a very standard, very cliched lovers lyric from the otherwise amazing Alaine. Much worse than these though is the remix of MIMS' THIS IS WHY I'M HOT, another selection that's misplaced, with guests Junior Reid and even Baby Cham both sounding out of their element. To be fair, VP usually includes one of these crossover efforts on the REGGAE GOLD roster (last year we got R Kelly teamed with Sean Paul on the nice SLOW WINE), but this time I'm not crossing. The audio CD closes with Shaggy's MORE WOMAN, which at least is good fun. The DVD, as per usual, is a bit of a grab bag. I liked the interviews with Elephant Man, Gyptian and Shaggy, but the behind-the-scenes photo shoot footage was extremely tedious. Empress's guide to Kingston nightlife wasn't particularly exciting, either.
Overall, as is usually the case, REGGAE GOLD 2007 succeeds in offering a little something for everyone, and it's a worthwhile buy for both casual listeners and full-time reggae lovers alike.
Reggae Gold?. . . Exceptional?. . ........2007-06-12
VP Records is ran like a well oiled machine and if you really love reggae music (or if just are really interested in the genre), you will definitely find yourself having to deal with VP in one way or another. This is largely due to the fact that they boast some of the finest talent in all of the Caribbean and they do an international promotion for their artists on a level perhaps unlike anything the music has ever seen. As of this writing, VP's roster of artists is absolutely ridiculous! Besides maintaining at least partial rights to international superstars such as Beenie Man, Sean Paul and Elephant Man; they also have reggae superstars such as The Messenger, Luciano; Capleton; Morgan Heritage; Beres Hammond, who hasn't had an official non VP release in over 10 years, and although Lady Saw recently completed her contract with the label, her current release, the well solid Walk Out is in their hands to promote and care for. Besides those names, the label boasts serious roots talent in the form of three young geniuses, I-Wayne, Warrior King and Gyptian; and not to neglect the dancehall, their roster of young dancehall talent includes TOK, Assassin, Kiprich and the recently inked hit maker Mavado. If you know nothing about reggae music, yes, this is a very big deal! Not to mention that I've forgotten such names as the Warlord Bounty Killer, the dancehall poet Tanya Stephens, Richie Spice and Junior Kelly (although you wouldn't know that because Penitentiary still makes a point of releasing albums by them) and soca heads Bunji Garlin and Edwin Yearwood. The label is stacked! Their roster is the equivalent of a single NBA team having four of the starting five of an all star team in any given year, and the following year and even the following year. If you make reggae music also, you have to deal with VP in some form or another as well in any aspect of the business. They sponsor tours for their artists, have their excellent and ever-growing Riddim Driven series which links them with some of the finest producers Jamaica has to offer, and other artists, who are not signed to the label and yet routinely have albums released, such as Turbulence who has had four VP releases to date, Glen Washington, Buju Banton, Anthony B, and most notably the legendary Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and Sizzla (who himself, by my count, has had 10 VP releases). Again, if you are into the music, or even if you just KNOW about reggae music, the name VP Records definitely needs to be one with whom you are familiar.
This year's installment of VP's signature series, Reggae Gold follows a year in which reggae, although not in the international spotlight (perhaps largely due to the continued postponement of Elephant Man's Bad Boy debut) as much as previous few years has actually been very solid. Although, a quick perusal through JA tabloids and newspapers (and some would say those are the exact same thing) might make you think some of the bigger names spend more time fighting amongst themselves than in the studio: With Bounty and Beenie's decade old rivalry hitting new heights (or depths that is) with the inclusion of an `Angel' (and Bounty's own seemingly endless women problems); Vybz Kartel's unhappiness with his label, Greensleeves and ultimate departure from Bounty's Alliance (along with his protégé Aidonia) and bloody war with latest VP signee Mavado and many other things that music overcame (and used) to its benefit in making one of the finest music years in recent memory for reggae. The proof is in the pudding as RG 2007 is without a doubt one of the finest installments the series has seen in quite a while and it doesn't depart from the lineup which I mentioned at all. It is still, relatively a glorified promo album for VP Records, but what a solid promo it is! This series is typically hit-or-miss style and truly the better VP Records series is so consistently without a doubt the double annual installments of Strictly the Best, but Reggae Gold 2007 does an excellent job in attempting to close the gap and this year, all you who make this your one reggae album of the year to check might be looking for something else which interests you later as the new comers here absolutely steal the show, but the one or two older heads present do themselves fine as well.
First, just getting the bad out of the way: I live in somewhat of a reggae box. If I'm not listening to reggae music or soca then there's an African vibes playing, other than that, I don't get too international, therefore, as of writing this, I had NEVER actually heard the song This is Why I'm Hot by Mims (and I can imagine someone somewhere is sitting down writing a review of a `hip hop gold' styled album and mentioning that "you're probably well tired of this song by this point") although I had heard of it. This remixed version of the song (which I guess is basically a Baby Cham and Junior Reid combination over the original track) I do not like very much at all, it almost kills the early vibe of the album sandwiched between a ridiculously over hyped Watch Dem Roll by Sean Paul over the migraine inducing hype Tremor riddim by Stephen McGregor and Mavado's epochal Kartel aimed Top Shatta Nah Miss over McGregor's massive Power Cut riddim. The song is the obligatory odd remix with a foreign artist and, as usual, the song just doesn't work here. Then there's Elephant Man's answer to Buju's MASSIVE Driver tune, Bring It, which just doesn't bring very much over the same riddim (which should have been retired immediately after Buju put that genius piece on recording, the song pretty much never gets off the floor and fittingly at its conclusion, Ele gives credit to where its due, Buju. And lastly (literally) the closer, Shaggy's More Woman which lags far behind some of his other far better work as of late (wouldn't an excellent way to end the album been with his megahit Heathen?!!!). And I've been called a reggae snob, so if a Reggae Gold album comes down the road 15 tracks deep with only 3 bad ones, its definitely a winner!
The good? To all those people who have asked me in the past sixteen months where they could get that Morgan Heritage tune about NYC and Jamaica, here you go! I'm not the biggest MH fan in the world but I definitely have to concur that the tune Brooklyn & Jamaica is amongst their finest work over Shane Brown's well powerful Statement Riddim. Check the man himself, Buju Banton reuniting with Penthouse where he got his start on yet another riddim called the M-16, this time, an absolutely divine sounding Dean Fraser cut which melds itself around Buju's very Driver-ish flow. AND THAT'S IT representing for the older heads the balance of the album's top notch material is put out by artists on whom the international spotlight has yet to shine, but hopefully and obviously is making its way towards. Check the magical Sticky by martian voiced singer Jah Cure. I could perhaps never tire of hearing Jah Cure and following the past 12 months where the artist had been less than active (perhaps in anticipation of his release which is now scheduled at just about a month and a half away as of this writing), Sticky is a great big WELCOME BACK to the Montego Bay native over Ce'cile's new riddim, the wonderfully old school spiced Jam Down riddim (which always has A LOT of people on the dance floor and whose album is actually due the same day as this RG 2007, also on VP). (and don't be surprised at all should Cure's release from prison coincide with the announcement of a signing with VP as he has released two albums with the label since his incarceration)
Heading the relatively brief dancehall portion of the album is definitely `hybrid' dancehall artist Munga Honourable's Bad From Mi Bawn. The self proclaimed `Gangsta Ras' who boasts of not only having the backing of dancehall ace producer Vendetta (over whom's excellent techno spiced Sativa riddim the track flows) but David House, label home of the Prophet himself, as co-managers, knocks an absolute homerun with the track which has become one of his biggest to date and don't be surprised if VP's next big dancehall signing is Honourable at all (unless of course Greensleeves again catches them off guard as they did with both Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel (and Fantan Mojah for the matter). The one that didn't get away from VP, most recent addition to their roster, sickly looking brutally efficient hit maker Mavado, offers two equally bullet laden tracks with the aforementioned Top Shatta Nah Miss and Last Night over the Show Off riddim. The better track is probably Last Night, but both are fairly equally solid tracks with both offering a decent taste of Mavado's vibes, but neither actually defining his shocking cold efficiency in the dancehall. The second half, and actually just about the final third of Reggae Gold 2007 is where the real quality lay on this album, however (of course minus Shaggy's closer). Pick any of the songs there and you'll have a winner! Starting with the young Tessanne Chin's (or Tami jr. as I'm calling her) beautiful Hideaway. I'm good and tired of the couple of years old Hideaway, but it's still an excellent track, which is barely reggae, save for that excellent guitar riffy one drop at the song's beginning, but an excellent inclusion to the album giving an international spot to what has undoubtedly been one of the most popular songs in the Caribbean over the past couple of years. Then there's the enigma that is I-Wayne. The downright peculiar singer who has attracted some of the most. . . Peculiar criticisms and praises of any young artist to date pushes forth the excellent lovers track I Need Her In My Arms, and while I'll always prefer the fire spitting and lava condemning I-Wayne, his offering for Reggae Gold 2007 is definitely amongst the strongest tracks to be found anywhere on the album (and hopefully this winter we'll see his sophomore studio release).
The top three tracks here definitely make themselves standout from the rest. Check Gyptian's ridiculous and frustrating My Fadah Seh which comes not too far after his album to make you wonder why it couldn't have made it, and. . . Not too far after his album to make you know that by time the next album rolls around (unless of course Gyptian is going to be following Sizzla's time schedule for releases) that the track will probably be too old to be included (and don't put that past VP to do anyway). Even with the presence of the MASSIVE Beng Beng on his debut, My Name is Gyptian, had you dropped My Fadah Seh on that album, it would have instantly become the finest track on the album, the wonderfully spiritual track is easily the finest tune young Gyptian has ever voiced. Then there's the odd man out on the album, Pressure Busspipe, whose cause I've been championing since I heard his debut album last year, links with Vendetta and the St. Thomas native pushes one of the best lover's tracks modern reggae has ever produced! Love & Affection is MASSIVE! So much so, Vendetta has taken such an interest in Pressure that he has signed him alongside Munga to his label and subsequent recordings from the duo have hit the street (especially the wicked Be Free), definitely Love & Affection is a big break for the artist showing just how far VI reggae has progressed in its short time. Lastly. . . Easily the best song on this good album and easily the best song I've heard in a while is ridiculously lovely songbird Alaine's Sacrifice. The song is something off an angel's play list and out of, of course, Vendetta's studio, it's a big chunk of romantic and lover's magic that you NEED to hear DEFINITELY!
Overall, in typical hit or miss style, Reggae Gold 2007 is a big hit. Also included is the now customary DVD which goes behinds the scenes (and even a little around my neighborhood!) definitely needs to be watched as its stocked full of cool pieces and frames, and as general, a nicely produced project outside of the music, VP always puts their best foot forward on the Reggae Gold album. Not as usually, I'm recommending this one to just about anyone, newer fans, definitely this thing is built for you, but older and more established fans, this is the first official cd for many of the pieces here you will LOVE the DVD.
Average customer rating:
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The Best of Loose Ends
Loose Ends Manufacturer: EMI Gold ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000095SKX Release Date: 2003-06-02 |
Tracks:
- Hangin On A String
- Magic Touch
- Don't Be A Fool
- Slow Down
- Emergency (Dial 999)
- Tell Me What You Want
- Choose Me
- Golden Years
- Mr. Bachelor
- Nights Of Pleasure
- Stay A Little While Child
- Love's Got Me
- Ooh You Make Me Feel
- Watching You
- Cheap Talk
Album Description
Import only compilation from one of the top British Urban/dance acts of the early '80s. This trio (Carl McIntosh, Jane Eugene and Steve Nichol) began life as Loose End, but changed their name to Loose Ends right before fame came knocking on their door when they hit paydirt with the 'Hangin' On A String' single in 1985. Their hit streak continued up through the end of the decade with tracks like 'Golden Years', 'Slow Down', 'Watching You' and others. The group did continue in the early '90s, but only after Eugene and Nichol had been replaced and the magic had all but disappeared. 15 tracks. EMI.Album Details
2003 Issued Digitally Remastered Comprehensive Anthology from the Great Innovative UK R&B Group Fronted by Carl Mcintosh. Includes "Hangin' on a String", "Choose Me", "Stay a Little While,child", "Slow Down", "Watching You", "Don't Be a Fool", "Cheap Talk", "Love's Got Me" and Many More.Customer Reviews:
I loved this group........2007-01-04
Dont be a fool.......2006-10-22
Forget Soul II Soul, these are the ORIGINAL innovators of UK Soul.......2006-08-08
This Is What I'm Talking About!!!.......2006-06-16
Blast from the 80's Past.......2006-03-08
Average customer rating:
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Soca Gold 2007
Various Artists Manufacturer: Vp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000PMG9K8 Release Date: 2007-06-12 |
Tracks:
- Carnival Symphony - Kiberly Inniss
- Dutty - Roy Cape
- Make a Stage (M.A.S.) - Fay-Ann Lyons
- Woman By My Side - Peter Ham
- I Dare You - Destra
- Agua - Edwin Yearwood
- Get Wild - Olatunji Yearwood
- Spread the Love - Mr. Slaughter
- Born Fa Dis - Mr. Dale
- Wine Yuh Bumper (No Wall Flowers) - Krosfyah
- Blaze It Up - Bunji Garlin
- All Day All Nite - Lil Rick
- Bounce And Move - Rita Jones
- Expose Precision - El-A-Kru
- Last Band - Rikki Jai
- Wine On Me - Sean Caruth
- Jumping Up - K.V. Charles
Customer Reviews:
BUY IT! I Dare You. . . .......2007-06-12
By far, the biggest piece of soca produced internationally, has been VP Records' annual Soca Gold compilation. The compilation, which began way back in 1997 has made fans of the genre out of people who would otherwise be completely unaware of the vibes (with the possible exception the seemingly inexhaustible Byron Lee & The Dragonaires from Jamaica). VP has shown a level commitment to soca over the years unlike any international company ever before, even while the music isn't terribly popular in Jamaica, VP's main area of interest (although they recently signed wicked Trinidadian reggae artist Jah Melody) , but the vibes are growing here as well. The label has over the years created not only Soca Gold, but the more old school set with Soca 101 and the sidekick styled set of D'Soca Zone series, all of which are consistently supported and all of which have seen releases in the past year or so. VP has also released albums by the likes Byron Lee & The Dragonnaires (who up until a couple of years ago were releasing albums at a Sizzla-like pacing, all on VP) and young soca group 3 Suns (formerly Treason). Also, they have recently added to their official ranks Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah and the leader of the pack Bunji Garlin as VP artists, they have truly been pushing soca hard (props to Edwin Howell whose name is almost always associated with the releases). Compare that type of commitment to their main competitors, namely Greensleeves and the seemingly winding down Jet Star, whose level of soca has been all put non-existent, and you really have to say that besides the likes of Kevin Lyttle and Rupee (both of whom have and continue to routinely appear on VP compilations) making themselves to international stardom levels in the past few years, VP has done just about as much as anyone on an international level pushing soca music to the masses all over the world (and more props to JW Records who has been responsible pushing the artsits' music all over the Caribbean regionally). With the additions of Yearwood and Garlin, particularly Garlin whose style of soca music is considerably more hardcore than what has been heard internationally to date, they have shown an even greater level of commitment. Garlin's recent project Global, his first since under contract with the label and second for them overall (the first being Revelation in 2002) was a very solid piece and is currently being promoted considerably, just as much as the typical VP release as Garlin begins now to engage in a world tour in support of the project. Take all of that and combine it to coincide with this, the releasing of their crowning jewel of soca, Soca Gold, which this year has really obviously received more time and attention than in any other year (including last year's ULTRA sleek Soca Gold 2006 edition) packing vibes on vibes and of course attempting to push soca music on the international scale, the likes of which has ever been seen!
Unlike its sister album Reggae Gold (this year marks the second time which both albums have been released simultaneously) I'm pretty much always happy with the Soca Gold albums. This is partly due to, of course, I listen to reggae music more, thus when the RG album drops I'm far more familiar with (and in some cases downright tired of) many of the songs filling the album; however, this is also due to the fact that the selections on the Soca Gold album are generally well chosen and compiled not only for their being fine songs individually, but also to the point where the album flows together very nicely and on a single vibe. There is, again unlike the Reggae Gold side, typically a certain vibe to the Soca Gold album: 2006 was the 10th anniversary edition and was probably the sleekest, best looking and well done project (not the best musically, just the best overall well done), the vibes weren't as overall as HUGE soca sounding, but more laid back than 2005; 2005 was pretty much insanity on a cd, it went everywhere! Big, small, loud and smooth at the same time, culminating with the aptly titled Madder Dan Dat (although I'm still calling Mor Tor the best song on that album); all of the other albums in the Soca Gold series also had a certain direction of taking the vibes, some were just about as hard as it gets, some were more Caribbean sounding (like 2003), but all have done a fairly good job in pushing some of the most solid soca vibes around (and for the record 2005 is still my favorite to date, getting close though). They have also, perhaps more importantly, served in pushing some of the various names to those who typically wouldn't know the artists. Me myself, prior to Soca Gold 2003 which featured the MASSIVE Bounce, had never heard of the madness that was Dawg E. Slaughter, only to find out that not only was he an emerging soca artist (who also scored a mammoth shot on 2004's edition with Trample and likewise does the same on SG 2007) but a popular radio voice on the island as well, SG 2003 made me a fan of his, as well as other editions pushing names such as Maximus Dan, Lil Bits, 3 Suns, the late Onika Bostic, Blazer!, and Sanell Dempster, whom I probably would have had a while to wait before actually learning of them otherwise, before I moved back to the Caribbean. Exposing these artists to the international masses alongside some of the more popular names already, the Bunji Garlins, Machel Montano's, Kevin Lyttle's, Rupie's and Edwin Yearwood's of the world have all previously appeared on Soca Gold albums, and although I'm well familiar with them, following the vibes of the various years, I'm sure this series has exposed many to them as well.
The vibes of this year's release, Soca Gold 2007 have once again gotten bigger. Taking last year's approach in terms of look and feel of the overall project (once again very well done, 2006 was just something produced by scientists somewhere with the high tech gloss which that one had, it was absolutely gorgeous) and adding its own serious vibes on the music side, 2007 challenges 2005 for my overall favorite of the series. The vibes here are just mad! Take that and combine it with the fact that VP has apparently heard my constant ranting (or just finally wised up) and thrown in one of my absolute favorites who scores with the biggest shot on an album full of mammoth shots, but more on that in a bit. The best thing about this one is that you can pretty much play it all the way through and even while there is one very frustrating remix here (and one odd sounding addictive opener), if you love soca music you will definitely appreciate the entire album. The album almost never gives the listener a point at which to just rest, you have to watch this one all the way through, and may require several naps to complete.
As I mentioned the album has served to expose the masses and I as well to several new names in the music, or names which are just new to the listener and this year is no different, as I come away from Soca Gold 2007 definitely keen on paying attention to some new names, three in particular. The first is fittingly who opens the album with a seriously huge voice, Bajan Kimberly Innis. Innis puts forth a vocal effort on her divine Carnival Symphony which not only gives you the big loud soca style chants that I love, but also a basic r&b style singing which shows off her greatest musical asset, that shocking voice. I had previously heard of her through a big contest which she participated in and came in second I believe, and all I can do is hope to hear the winner (whose name slips my mind now) on future editions of Soca Gold, because if her vibes are bigger than this, then I'm missing something! The second two names who I am entirely more familiar with, but had never taken time to specifically listen to and enjoy their music up until this point. Check seriously talented Bajan (all three are Bajans, Barbados taking over on SG 2007) Mr. Dale;s top notch offering Born Fa Dis. I hadn't really been paying attention to the song for awhile listening through the album (because its situated where it follows one of the biggest smashes on the album altogether, but Born Fa Dis is seriously high level soca. Its one of the few songs here which is somewhat confusing (as is the next song I'll mention as well) as its done in more r&b or pop stylee, but its still ultra upbeat so it doesn't let down the vibes to the point where you get a different feel at all. It works so well on the SG 2007 album as does that entire vibe which gives it a slightly different feel, but not enough to change the vibes. The last artist who I come away from SG 2007 attempting to pay a greater attention to is Peter Ram. I had ben familiar with the NAME Peter Ram for awhile now, but had never really associated a single song with the artist. Well that changes with one listen to his absolutely pinpoint precisely wicked Woman By My Side. The song takes awhile to build and when it finally does, you discover one of the finest hooks on the entire album, and also one of the finest songs altogether on the album. The song is a straight biggup to all the women and one of the few tunes here which has a fine message besides something of the more usual, Ram definitely makes the most of the track and scores a grand slam on the track (and in retrospect, I had actually heard a remix of the song before this version, which included dancehall DJ Vybz Kartel, both are very solid).
Of the names which I'm more familiar with, I was downright delighted to see that VP had once again tapped El-a-Kru for this album with a remix of their Expose track. The song, the Precision Radio mix of Expose is a pretty frustrating track, but its almost a good frustration. Put the song in its original form on and you have one of my truly favorite songs ever! The remix somewhat keeps a level on nutty lead singer Tizzy, but at a point she absolutely loses her mind (which is why I love her so!) and makes the song what it is, one of the most powerful vibes you'll ever hear, and still El-a-Kru continues to do Antigua proud (and the wonderful video is also included on the DVD). Then there's Rikki Jai's Last Band with the traditional big TnT sounding soca vibe, complete with the steel pan back and whistling and jumping, just a wonderful track by one of the true Caribbean soca superstars, a really big track (whose video is also included on the DVD). Sean Caruth also represents very very well on his outstanding Wine On Me coming in the latter stages on the album never letting the vibes get low even for a minute, Caruth's style is one of almost `aggressive' singing and probably I've never heard him work it better on a track than on Wine On Me (especially during the crazy bridge). Then there's a new face from SG 2006 back to drop one of the biggest tracks on this year's edition, Rita Jones. Jones' fantastic Bounce and Move is seriously one of SG 2007's best efforts again, just as she did on last year's offering Carnival Feeling with Roy Cape. Cape himself is back again this year, this time with Blaxx on the very powerful Dutty. And I just wouldn't be right if I failed to mention Krosfyah's MASSIVE No Wall Flower or Yearwood on Agua, both of which I had been listening to for a while, but both still retain much power definitely!
Then there are the big boys and girls who really dominate the vibes here. Bunji Garlin checks in with one of the stronger pieces from his new album, Blaze It Up. Blaze is about as dancehall as any track here gets but after just a few listens, it gets MASSIVE, with a truly maddening riddim playing backdrop to a very strong track from the Fyahman. The Fyahwoman, Faye Ann Lyons, Garlin's better half outdoes hubby with her seriously mad M.A.S. (Make a Stage) which plays on one of the most simple thoughts to make a big track. The song basically says "FIND SOMEWHERE AND MAKE A STAGE", but I guess it follows the old adage of `less is more' as the track is HUGE! As is her usual, the star from the SG 2006 album (she appeared on two of the biggest tracks on the album, including the album's best with Ms Aleysha, Party) nearly steals the show again with her tune. The second best tune overall here comes from Ms Slaughter, still pushing some of the best tunes, and definitely glad to see him back with his MASSIVE Spread the Love. Spread the Love is almost his dedication to Soca music and were it a person, Ms Soca would be smiling. Spread the Love is everything you might expect in the traditional aspect, but it has a very melodic riddim behind it as well with an odd bouncing/humming which chases the riddim and it continues to build over and over and the fine backup singer later in the song even adds fire! Lastly, the big gyal inna di house, who needs to be on this album everywhere offers the best shot here. I'm VERY partial, because she is my favorite overall Soca artist, but Destra's fast building and heavy I Dare You is SG 2007's best track. It doesn't take very long to build at all and when it does, I mean I think I lose my spot somewhere, I go into a day dream. The sexy pint sized soca head always belong on this album as she routinely makes such songs and I Dare You is definitely near the top of her rapidly growing catalogue. Perhaps the only regret is that SG 2007 does not contain the MAMMOTH Open the Gate by Shurwayne Winchester, but in this case, it is excusabvle.
Overall, I love this album! Check the stacked DVD which includes several nice videos, songs and live performances (including I Dare You) with probably young Miss Innis giving the best offering on her Carnival Symphony, listening to her voice live, it loses absolutely no power in the studio. Faye-Ann as usual does an excellent job screaming herself hoarse on her MAS and Olatunji also gives an outstanding performance on his super hype Get Wild. Of the videos Expose and Woman By My Side definitely steal the show. This one is almost overdoing it! I don't need this much good soca! Soca Gold 2007 is definitely a shot at whats coming, presumably VP will continue to push these crazy vibes (and now if you really are listening, SIGN DESTRA!) and I'll keep on eating them up (you will too if you read this far into this review). As the lovely Mrs. Garlin so eloquently puts it on her MAS, "Somebody made a mistake, they say Carnival dun", its not! Love Soca Gold 2007.
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Gold
Marvin Gaye Manufacturer: Motown ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0006Z2LA6 Release Date: 2005-01-11 |
Tracks:
- Stubborn Kind Of Fellow
- Hitch Hike
- Pride And Joy
- Can I Get A Witness
- You're A Wonderful One
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- I'll Be Doggone
- Ain't That Peculiar
- It Takes Two
- Ain't No Mountain High Enough
- Your Precious Love
- If I Could Build My Whole World Around You
- Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
- You're All I Need To Get By
- You
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine
- Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
- That's The Way Love Is
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Tracks:
- What's Going On
- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
- Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
- You're The Man - Pts. I & II
- Where Are We Going?
- Trouble Man
- Let's Get It On
- Come Get To This
- Distant Lover
- I Want You
- Got To Give It Up
- Anger
- Ego Tripping Out
- Praise
- Sexual Healing
Customer Reviews:
Essential For Anyone's Record Collection.......2006-09-10
"Gold" includes just about every major Marvin classic you need, including "Can I Get A Witness", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (with Tami Terrell), "What's Going On", "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)", the timeless "Let's Get It On", "Got To Give It Up" (all 11 minutes) and "Sexual Healing", as well as a healthy dose of rarer tracks such as a previously unreleased stereo mix of the gospel classic "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and the never before heard "Where Are We Going?" as well as much more.
All this and digitally remastered sound and great liner notes makes this a must have for any record collection.
Inferior Rehash of 'The Very Best Of Marvin Gaye' 2 CD Set.......2006-07-30
Also, instead of too many 'filler songs' from the so-so 'Here My Dear' CD, they could've (& should've!) included masterpieces like 'Save The Children', 'Flying High In The Friendly Sky', and Marvin's awesome 'Till Tomorrow' from his Midnight Love CD (1983). The rare track 'Where Are We Going ?' is nice, BUT by releasing this incomplete collection, Motown missed the boat AGAIN!
I advise everyone to remaster this set (with the proper software) & do Marvin some justice, since Motown continues to miss the mark!!! In the end, you'll have a CD set to REALLY be proud of!
GRADE for 'Gold' (a.k.a.'The Very Best Of Marvin Gaye')
Cover Art/Packaging...2 Stars!!
Tracklisting gets...1 Stars!!
OVERALL GRADE...1.5-2.0 STARS!!
From that stubborn kind of fellow to the midnight man: the best of Marvin Gaye.......2006-03-06
Not the case with Marvin Gaye. Re-released after UTV ran out of copies of "The Very Best of Marvin Gaye" (which probably had a better booklet than the one in "Gold" but hey), "Gold: Marvin Gaye" integrates Marvin's early 1960s beginnings when he was mixing rock, blues and gospel (or soul music) in songs like "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", "Hitch Hike" and "Pride & Joy", his mid-1960s soul discovery in songs like "How Sweet It Is", "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar", his late-1960s duos with Tammi Terrell (with the Kim Weston duet added in good measures), his late-1960s coming out party as a gritty soul belter in songs like "You", "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby", "That's the Way Love Is" and his 1968 masterpiece, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" together with the 1970's gems that we all know and love like "What's Going On", "Mercy Mercy Me", "Inner City Blues", "Trouble Man", "Let's Get It On", "Come Get to This", the live version of "Distant Lover" (shown in its full six and some twenty minutes), "I Want You", and the entire 11-minute "Got to Give It Up" and his early-1980s funk/soul synthesis/gem "Sexual Healing". All in all presenting 20 years of one amazing man's work with these rare gems:
*An unreleased version of his rendition of the old gospel standard, "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" (1968)
*Rare socially conscious gems like "You're the Man" and "Where Are We Going" (both in 1972)
*The obscure 1979 single "Ego Tripping Out"
*The also very obscure single, "Anger" from his 1978 album, "Here, My Dear"
*And finally 1981's "Praise"
If you want to complain about the negativities of how the CD was produced and shipped, go ahead, the music is all I need and as long as I discover rare Marvin gems between the classics. It's all good because I have the best of both worlds: a 2-tape anthology set that has more unreleased and rare gems (including a rare unreleased version of "Ego Tripping Out" with Marvin going "only one way!"), another hits album that includes a rare '72 doo-wop gem and this album and a rare album full of other rare gems in Marvin's tank.
I'm set with Marvin for life.
P.S., "Where Are We Going" is the cut! Go get it for the song and the entire 11-minute "Got to Give It Up" alone! It's worth it, trust me.
Great Compilation.......2006-01-22
I haven't tried to burn it, so..........2005-12-13
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Capitol Gold: The Best of Minnie Riperton
Minnie Riperton Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002UQN Release Date: 1993-06-29 |
Tracks:
- Perfect Angel
- Lover And Friend (Single Version)
- Memory Lane (Single Version)
- Woman Of Heart And Mind
- Lovin' You
- Young Willing And Able
- Can You Feel What I'm Saying
- Stick Together
- Wouldn't Matter Where You Are
- Stay In Love
- Inside My Love
- Here We Go
- Give Me Time (Single Version)
- You Take My Breath Away
- Advertures In Paradise
- Simple Things
- Light My Fire
Amazon.com
Minnie Riperton's untimely death from breast cancer (in 1979 at the age of 32) robbed the world of one its truly great, truly distinctive voices. Her operatically-trained, five-octave instrument was the very model of beauty and control. Consequently, her signature tune, "Lovin' You," is likely the breeziest bit of pop you may ever hear. In addition to her own songs, Riperton also makes light work of material as lovely and strong as Stevie Wonder's "Perfect Angel" and Joni Mitchell's "Woman of Heart and Mind." The only misstep on this collection, in fact, is yet another unnecessary take of The Doors' "Light My Fire." --Michael RubyCustomer Reviews:
HONEST THOUGHTS.......2007-05-13
WHAT MORE CAN I SAY...........IT'S MINNIE.........LEFT US TOO SOON.......2007-01-24
LOVIN' YOU !.......2006-07-04
A MASTER PIECE!!!.......2006-06-22
Still Lovin' You Minnie............2005-08-09
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Gold
Gladys Knight & the Pips Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000FDEUGC Release Date: 2006-05-23 |
Tracks:
- Every Beat Of My Heart
- Letter Full Of Tears
- Giving Up
- Everybody Needs Love
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine
- The End Of Our Road
- It Should Have Been Me
- The Nitty Gritty
- Friendship Train
- You Need Love Like I Do (Don't You?)
- If I Were Your Woman
- I Don't Want To Do Wrong
- Make Me The Woman That You Go Home To
- Help Me Make It Through The Night
- Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)
- Daddy Could Swear, I Declare
- Where Peaceful Waters Flow
- Midnight Train To Georgia
- I've Got To Use My Imagination
- Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me
- I Feel A Song (In My Heart)
- Love Finds Its Own Way
Tracks:
- On And On
- The Way We Were / Try To Remember
- Money
- Part Time Love
- Make Yours A Happy Home
- So Sad The Song
- Baby Don't Change Your Mind
- Landlord
- Save The Overtime (For Me)
- You're Number One (In My Book)
- Hero (Wind Beneath My Wings)
- Send It To Me
- Love Overboard
- Lovin' On Next To Nothin'
- License To Kill
- Men
- Superwoman
Customer Reviews:
New fans: This is the one to get.......2007-05-25
Albums.......2007-01-09
Finally!.......2006-11-18
It's all I need.......2006-07-06
By far the best Pips set ever! All the hits in one place!.......2006-06-28
This chronological retrospective leads off with 1961's "Every Beat Of My Heart" (versions of which charted on both Vee-Jay and Fury) and its follow-up on Fury "Letter Full Of Tears" (written by the great Don Covay). A move to the Maxx label resulted in 1964's enclosed minor hit "Giving Up" (written by future disco star Van McCoy).
At this point Gladys & the Pips were major stars on the chitlin circuit, but mainstream success eluded them until they joined Motown in 1966. The collection includes 13 of their biggest Motown hits, such as the frenetic original version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and the lovely ballads "If I Were Your Woman" and "Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)." It's a good overview of their Motown years. It you want more of their recordings from this era, I suggest you check out the 22-track Ultimate Collection from 1997.
In spite of their successes at Motown, Gladys and the Pips always felt like second-class citizens there (Miss Ross of course always got preferential treatment) and moved over to Buddah in early 1973 when their Motown contract was up. It was at Buddah that they made their most memorable music and this set includes (again) 13 of their biggest hits there, among them their signature song "Midnight Train To Georgia," the funky barnburner "On And On" (from the film Claudine), the heartbreaker "Part Time Love," and an effective live version of "The Way We Were" teamed with "Try To Remember." This is by far my favorite period of Pip music and it is nice to see every key Buddah track included here.
A jump to Columbia in 1979 resulted in a lot less hits than their tenures at Motown and Buddah reaped, but there were a few great moments, such as the enclosed Grammy winner "Save The Overtime For Me," the majestic "Landlord," and a version of "Hero (Wind Beneath My Wings)" that remains definitive. A move to MCA in 1987 brought Gladys & the Pips' last number one r & b hit - another Grammy winner - the call & response funkster "Love Overboard" and it's equally rowdy follow-up "Lovin' On Next To Nothin'." They're both here. The set then closes with Gladys' theme for the James Bond film LICENSE TO KILL as well as the two standout tracks from her Good Woman solo album from 1991: "Men" and "Superwoman" (the latter a collaboration with good friend Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle).
This strong, strong retrospective puts all other Pip sets to shame. It's all of the Gladys Knight that most people will ever need.
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Kool and the Gang - Gold
Kool & the Gang Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007OY460 Release Date: 2005-03-01 |
Tracks:
- Kool & the Gang
- Kool's Back Again
- Let the Music Take Your Mind
- Funky Man
- Who's Gonna Take the Weight?
- Love the Life You Live
- Funky Stuff
- Jungle Boogie
- Hollywood Swinging
- Higher Plane
- Rhyme Tyme People
- Summer Madness
- Spirit of the Boogie
- Caribbean Festival
- Love and Understanding (Come Together)
- Open Sesame
Tracks:
- Ladies Night
- Too Hot
- Celebration
- Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)
- Get Down on It
- Big Fun
- Let's Go Dancin' (Ooh, la, la, La)
- Joanna
- Tonight [AOR Mix]
- Misled
- Fresh
- Cherish
- Emergency
- Victory
- Stone Love
Customer Reviews:
The Evolution of Kool.......2007-07-30
It's a nostalgic view of their music life. Great compilation of pre and post JT Taylor led songs. These guys could really play!!
So funky!.......2007-07-17
R&B SWEET !!!.......2007-01-22
still the GREATEST !!!!
The Best Collection Of Kool & The Gang Ever Assembled........2007-01-07
"Gold" a 2 cd, 31 song collection of the group's biggest hits, is the ideal Kool & The Gang Collection. Every Top 10 hit they ever had is included (including their last big hit, 1987's "Stone Love", which is often left off most compilations of the band for some reason), as well as some minor hits that may have been forgotten about by those who are only familliar with the popular songs by the group.
The sound quality is fantastic, and the packaging and liner notes are excellent as well. Iff you only want one Kool & The Gang cd for your collection, than "Gold" is by far your best bet.
Everything's Kool!.......2006-05-05
Disc one brought back a lot of memories for me; songs I had completely forgotten about, "Funky Stuff", "Hollywood Swingin'", "Higher Plane", "Summer Madness", and "Love and Understanding".
Allegedly the early stuff kept James Brown awake at night; the Gang was THAT funky. Proof's on disc one. The songs are mostly instrumental with a smattering of call/response. Their M.O. is simple, establish the groove and WORK IT.
And then James JT Taylor joined in 1979 and, thus disc two. The Gang is now a hit machine, cranking out the music like Ford turned out Thunderbirds: "Ladies Night", "Too Hot", "Celebration" (which will live long after you and I are gone), and on and on and on. Even in this phase they still etablish the groove and work it, as displayed on the almost 7 minute "Let's Go Dancing"... even that's too short!
Whoever put this together at Universal deserves a raise or something. The songs are chronological, well written band essay, ample credits. This two disc best of should be the standard to which other record companies strive.
Get yours today!
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Gold
The Temptations Manufacturer: Motown ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0006Z2LCO Release Date: 2005-01-11 |
Tracks:
- Dream Come True
- I Want a Love I Can See
- Way You Do the Things You Do
- My Girl - Smokey Robinson, The Temptations
- It's Growing
- Since I Lost My Baby
- Don't Look Back
- Get Ready
- Ain't Too Proud to Beg
- Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
- (I Know) I'm Losing You
- All I Need
- You're My Everything
- I Wish It Would Rain
- I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
- Cloud Nine
- I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Diana Ross, The Temptations
- Runaway Child, Running Wild
- I Can't Get Next to You
Tracks:
- Psychedelic Shack
- Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)
- Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
- Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)
- Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
- Masterpiece
- Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)
- Let Your Hair Down
- Shakey Ground
- Power
- Standing on the Top, Pt. 1 - Rick James, The Temptations
- Treat Her Like a Lady
- Jones' [12" Surgery Mix]
- Some Enchanted Evening [Fiji Island Mix]
- Stay
- I'm Here [Metro Mix]
- Lady
Customer Reviews:
THIS IS THE ONE TO GET........2006-09-19
It sounds as thought some tracks are the 'electronically rechanneled for stereo listening" versions. But, hey, ... what are you gonna do? You want Temps or not?
It also seems through my old Sony V900 headphones that they went too heavy on the bass. If you have Cooledit, or something similar, you may wish to use it on these tracks.
All considered, I can tell you I was in high school when Cloud Nine came out, and I am really enjoying listening to all of these cuts!
This is the one to get, alright.
5 stars minus 1 for redundancy.......2005-05-11
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Gold
Bob Marley and the Wailers Manufacturer: Island ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0006Z2LBU Release Date: 2005-01-11 |
Tracks:
- Stir It Up
- Slave Driver
- Concrete Jungle
- Get Up, Stand Up
- I Shot The Sheriff
- Burnin' And Lootin'
- Lively Up Yourself
- Rebel Music (Three O'Clock Roadblock)
- Trenchtown Rock
- No Woman, No Cry
- Jah Live
- Positive Vibration
- Roots, Rock, Reggae
- Crazy Baldhead
- Natural Mystic
- Exodus
- Jammin'
Tracks:
- One Love / People Get Ready
- Waiting In Vain
- Punky Reggae Party
- Is This Love
- Sun Is Shining
- Satisfy My Soul
- Kinky Reggae
- Medley: War / No More Trouble
- So Much Trouble In The World
- Africa Unite
- One Drop
- Could You Be Loved
- Coming In From The Cold
- Redemption Song
- Buffalo Soldier
- Rastaman Live Up
- Iron Lion Zion
Customer Reviews:
Great Marley Overview.......2007-04-07
Bob Marley is missed.......2007-03-08
The Ultimate Bob Marley Collection........2006-11-05
"Gold", a 2 cd compilation of all Bob's most familliar tunes as well as many lesser acknowledged recordings, is the ideal collection for the beginning Marley fan. At 34 tracks, including timeless classics such as "Stir It Up", "I Shot The Sheriff", "No Woman, No Cry", "Jamming", "One Love / People Get Ready", "Waiting In Vain", "Is This Love", "Could You Be Loved", "Redemption Song" and "Buffalo Soldier", your money is definitely being well spent. And then there's the sound quality, which is just about perfect ("Buffalo Soldier" seems a bit flat, but it doesn't do anything to bring down the quality at all). The liner notes by Scott Schinder is well worth the read, and the packaging is overall very well done.
I'm going to make this simple. No cd collection is complete without at least one Bob Marley cd. If you only feel the need to own only one Bob Marley cd, then "Gold" is the way to go.
Excellent.......2006-08-29
Possibly the finest Bob Marley compilation on the market.......2005-12-01
INTRODUCTION:
Bob Marley. Over the years, he has reigned supreme as the ultimate name in reggae music. Despite passing away in the early eighties, his music remains consistently popular. And it isn't hard to see why, as it really does stand the test of time. Despite dying young, Marley's career contained a plethora of music, and as such, many compilations of his work have been released over the years. The most popular compilation of Marley's work, though, would have to be the Legend compilation, released in the middle of the eighties. However, Marley has a number of other, lesser-known compilations. How does the lesser-known and newer Gold compilation measure up? Keep reading and find out!
OVERVIEW:
Bob Marley's Gold compilation was released in 2005. The compilation features two discs worth of tracks, spanning many years of Marley's career. Thirty-four tracks total.
REVIEW:
Bob Marley has a LOT of compilations, no questions asked. None of these compilations are bad, by any means. In fact, every one of them seems to succeed in areas that others don't. Legend is the best-known of all of Marley's compilations, and it isn't hard to see why. It was a single-disc, affordable compilation that hits all of the high points of Marley's career. However, just because Legend is the all-around best-known and most widely revered of all of Marley's collection does not mean it is the best one. Gold is an underrated gem of a hits compilation. For the most part, the tracklist seems like an upgraded, revamped, two-disc alternative to Legend. The set drop one track from Legend, Three Little Birds, but adds a ton of others Legend lacked. The order of the tracklist also got a total revamp. While Legend featured a non-chronological running order that was well suited for it being a "party" album of sorts, Gold uses a chronological order. I have always preferred chronological retrospectives in that they show you how the artist evolved over the years, and it works excellently for Bob Marley. Granted, some people may prefer the non-chronological running order of Legend, and it's not hard to see why they do, really. However, Gold just might stand as the stronger compilation.
OVERALL:
No matter which Bob Marley hits compilation you buy, you'll get a damn fine overview of his career. If you're just the casual Bob Marley fan who wants an affordable, single-disc overview of his career, you have come to the right place. Despite not being as well-known as Legend, this set is nothing less in the quality department. With its two-CD career-spanning tracklist, this just might be the best of all the Marley compilations. If you're a casual fan or just someone who is seeking an affordable (it's pretty cheap for a two disc set) yet effective introduction to the music of Marley, this is just what you need. Highly recommended!
EDITION NOTES:
This set was released not long ago, and as such, it remains readily available in stores. Once the word gets out about how good a compilation this is, chances are it would have the potential to outsell Legend in time. But, no matter what happens, this is a great, readily-available set that would make for a great place to start your Marley collection.
Album Review:
- Romantic Mood: Dream Dancing, Vol. 3
- Set the Stakes High [CD-single]
- Sientelo Pt.1 [CD-single] [Import]
- Sientelo Pt.2 [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]
- Silvester Party Countdown Mix
- Space Age Inventions EP [EP]
- Sta. Apolonia Soul Station [Import]
- Strictly Dance Fever [Import]
- Taxidermy
- Technical Difficulties [Explicit Lyrics]
Album Review
Shut Up! Early Works & Remixes, Vol. 1 [Import]
21st Century Music of China - Instrumental Music Appreciation 1
Adolphe Biarent: Symphonic Works
Music: Women's a Cappella Songs from
And the Runes Begin to Pray [Import]
A Gershwin Celebration [Import]
A Celebration of Pipes in Europe (Festival de Cornouaille 1990)