Jimmy Cliff was one of the first Jamaican singers to gain a foothold in the Western pop world. His lead role in the ultimate reggae film The Harder They Come (1972) made him the face of reggae for a long time, until the arrival of Bob Marley in the mid-1970s. Despite great hits like Wonderful World Beautiful People, Reggae Nights and Vietnam, Cliff never managed to become such a world star as Marley.
In his later work, Cliff often eyed commercial hit success just a little too blatantly, which often undercut his qualities as a singer. On this album, which he made with producer and record boss Dave Stewart (ex-Eurithmics), he has translated his reggae past into modern times in a clever way. This time, Jimmy's voice comes into its own in the sophisticated production. In its lyrics (Terror, War In Jerusalem), he also shows himself as of old from his socially engaged side. Famous musical guests such as Sting, Jools Holland, Joe Strummer and Annie Lennox give this successful comeback extra cachet. (MS)more