| This compilation was slapped together in 1985. There are no sleeve notes, the chronology is a muddle, and several of the tracks are mistitled but, in truth, if they'd stuck it out in a plain white sleeve, without even a track listing, you'd still want it anyway. Gathering up a dozen crucial cuts from the mid-'70s, this is classic Horace Andy, overseen by producer Bunny Lee at his best and accompanied by the Aggrovators at their deadliest, and thus this set has masterpiece written all over it. Of course, a number of the songs are re-recordings of Andy's earlier Studio One singles, and a clutch will also be resurrected again in the future. And so listeners find such classics as "Money Is the Root of All Evil" (actually "Money Money"), "Don't Try to Use Me," and a sublime cover of John Holt's "I've Got to Get Away." There are fabulous covers of Leroy Sibble's "My Guiding Star" and Tappa Zukie's "Better Collie" as well, while even an old nugget like "Goodnight My Love" shines like pure gold. Equally good is "Our Jamaican National Heroes," where Andy has a successful go at toasting. There isn't a wrong note or dull moment within this set and, while there are a number of notable omissions from the Andy/Lee sessions, you'll have no complaints about the inclusions. |
Import 
