9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the Greatest Dekker CD Worldwide!, October 10, 2000
This review is from: Rockin Steady: Best of (Audio CD)
1992's "Rockin' Steady: The Best Of Desmond Dekker" is by far the best compilation ever done on Desmond Dekker. As opposed to the slip-shod, random, England-centered Trojan releases, "Rockin' Steady" is mainly based on Jamaican and American sources. That means including the 'B' side of the UNI "Israelites" 45 ("My Precious World--The Man") and the best cuts from Dekker's UNI 'Israelites' album, in the proper sequence. The CD booklet is a goldmine of information, much it derived from Jamaican newspapers and US Reggae experts. The artwork recalls Jamaica's classic BEVERLEYS label, which released most of these songs. All in all, a SUPER job by Rhino Records.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paving the way for Toots., May 13, 2001
This review is from: Rockin Steady: Best of (Audio CD)
I don't know when the word reggae came into common use, or who really was the first reggae artist, but it has been well argued that Dekker was up near the front.
Not as dark as Marley, nor as rocking as Toots, Dekker's contribution to island music may have been the development of a really funky driving groove.
I am not always a fan of Rhino's over cleaning of old analogue masters, but in this case, it was very necessary.
According to the Rhino-typical detailed liner notes, much of the work on this CD comes from a tiny 4-track "studio" in the back of an ice cream shop.
Here's a note for music fans: Desmond Dekker is THE Desomond in the Beatle's song "Ob La Di Ob La Da." Apparently Paul was a huge fan of Desmonds.
Anyway...this CD is a load of fun. Is it reggae? Not really. Did Dekker influence Toots and later reggae artists? Almost certainly.
This is one of my most played CDs. Great for a long drive.
Oh! Here's a fun note: If you enjoy this restrained cut of "The Isrealites," you will really like the hot dance version Dekker cut for Stiff Records, available on the Rhino (again!) Stiff Box.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dear Rhino, get this back in print now, September 19, 2005
This review is from: Rockin Steady: Best of (Audio CD)
I have no idea what is happening to Rhino Records. They used to have so many great compilations. Their "Greatest Hits" CDs where better than all their competitors, with percise and dead-on song selection. What are they producing now? The greatest hits of Sugar Ray and Ole Diry Basterd. That wouldn't bother me so much, but all their great old compilarions are going out of print. Please, go back to being the greatest record label ever like you used to be. But enough of that rant. As for Desmond Dekker, if you only need a single album this is the one to pick up. Every song is a classic, showcasing his emense songwriting talents. He is by far one of my favorite Jamacian artists. To pick my favorite song is an impossible task. Most of his big classics is included on this disc, and each song contains incredible lyrics and songwriting skill. Many of his songs have gone on to become rude-boy anthems, and they are certainly worthy of that status. He could create an up-tempo ska tune and a mellow yet not at all weak rocksteady tune. Anyone who wants to venture beyond Bob Marley in the spectrum of Jamacian music has better check out Desmond Dekker.
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