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]
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" |
References
- ^ Hardy, Phil; Laing, Dave (1995). The Da Capo Companion to 20th-Century Popular Music. Da Capo Press. p. 181.
- ^ Fricke, David (Sep 30, 1982). "Special". Rolling Stone. No. 379. p. 93.
- ^ Powers, Ned (Aug 21, 1982). "Jimmy Cliff's tour...". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon. p. A7.
- ^ Morse, Steve (20 Sep 1982). "A Glorious Night of Reggae". Arts/Films. The Boston Globe. p. 1.
- ^ Conte, Robert (Sep 25, 1982). "Reggae going 'round the vicious circle". Hampshire Life. Daily Hampshire Gazette. p. 6.
- ^ "Jimmy Cliff". Billboard. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Steckles, Garry (Jan 28, 1983). "Jimmy Cliff still on right musical track". The Gazette. Montreal. p. D6.
- ^ a b Morse, Steve (16 Sep 1982). "Is Jimmy Cliff on a Farewell Tour". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 1.
- ^ Bohen, Jim (Nov 14, 1982). "Special Jimmy Cliff". Living. Daily Record. Morris County. p. 13.
- ^ a b c "Special Review by AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ a b Kellogg, Alan (Aug 26, 1982). "Special Jimmy Cliff". Edmonton Journal. p. C2.
- ^ a b McCarthey, Tom (Aug 27, 1982). "Jimmy Cliff's 'Special'". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. M11.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press.
- ^ a b Catlin, Roger (Oct 19, 1982). "New Sounds". Omaha World-Herald. p. 6.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 141.
- ^ Wyatt, Hugh (Aug 6, 1982). "Jimmy Cliff Special". Daily News. p. C26.
- ^ Schenck, Curtis (Nov 13, 1982). "Jimmy Cliff: Special". The Morning Call. p. 89.
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