Sleeve: Cartoon beany-hatted Jimmy astride motor-bike. Lurid and striking. The back is a break-down of the two-disc track listing.
Sleevenotes: Lovingly detailed by Laurence Cane-Honeysett, British music journalist specialising in Jamaican music. Some fine early snaps of Cliff.
Content: Forty tracks split between 1960-69 and 1969-72, chronologically listed citing original release date and producer.
High point: Many with the likes of Wonderful World, Beautiful People and Many Rivers To Cross. The best is Cliff’s The Bigger they Come, The Harder They Fall, one of reggae’s seminal tracks.
Low point: None. Even the scratchiest early songs captivate.
Any glaring omissions?: None, save for the release stopping at 1972 since when he has continued to record and tour.
Anything new: Previously unreleased charmer A Little Bit Of Soap.
Cheerful or tearful excuse for release? Timely reminder of Cliff’s talent and influence.
Where might this end up at Christmas?: In my record collection. A Cliff that is not just for Christmas.
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