Poor quality
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.

Foundational reggae from one of the all time classics
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.

the original album is one of my all-time favorites.
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.

Double the reggae essentialness
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 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

How jamaica is
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---
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