Special (Jimmy Cliff album)
1982 studio album by Jimmy Cliff
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Special is an album by the Jamaican musician Jimmy Cliff, released in 1982.[1][2] It was his first album for Columbia Records.[3] Cliff supported the album with a North American tour coheadlined by Peter Tosh.[4] He was disappointed with the commercial response to the album, claiming repeatedly that the tour would be his last.[5] Special peaked at No. 186 on the Billboard 200.[6] "Treat the Youths Right" was a significant hit in Jamaica.[7]
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| Special | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1982 | |||
| Genre | Reggae | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | Chris Kimsey | |||
| Jimmy Cliff chronology | ||||
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Production
The album was produced by Chris Kimsey.[8] Ron Wood played guitar on a couple of the tracks; Sly Dunbar contributed on drums.[9] "Roots Radical" is about respect for Jamaica and the culture that it has created.[10] "Keep On Dancing" ironically advises listeners to continue to ignore social problems.[11] Much of "Originator" consists of Cliff's vocals backed by hand drums.[12]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [13] |
| Omaha World-Herald | [14] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [15] |
The Boston Globe called Special "a wonderful, lively blend of dance-reggae minus the excessive production and strained formula-pop that marred some of his albums from the past decade."[8] The New York Daily News labeled Cliff "the spiritual force" of reggae, and noted the variety of instrumentation on the album.[16] The Edmonton Journal opined that "beautifully clear, concise vocal readings abound, and the instrumental tracks are simply flawless."[11]
The Salt Lake Tribune deemed Special "the finest album of reggae ... in quite some time," writing that "Cliff sounds fresh and revived."[12] The Omaha World-Herald considered it "Cliff's brightest and catchiest album in a while."[14] The Morning Call concluded that the album was "pleasant to the ear, but lacking in gut intensity."[17]
AllMusic wrote that "Cliff takes the reggae form and adds a chorus of soothing yet soulful chorus, flute, fuzzy guitars and electronic keyboards, making for a fine album for those who prefer their reggae light, bouncy, and instantly catchy."[10]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Special" | |
| 2. | "Love Is All" | |
| 3. | "Peace Officer" | |
| 4. | "Treat the Youths Right" | |
| 5. | "Keep On Dancing" | |
| 6. | "Rub-a-Dub Partner" | |
| 7. | "Roots Radical" | |
| 8. | "Love Heights" | |
| 9. | "Originator" | |
| 10. | "Rock Children" | |
| 11. | "Where There Is Love" |