The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff

The soundtrack to what is probably Jamaica's greatest contribution to the film industry. A big statement I know though not one that should draw anything away from the power of the music on this album. Jimmy Cliff is to the fore, as he is in the film as Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin. His vocals on the excellent title track; the haunting Sitting in Limbo and the punchy You Can Get It If You Really Want are classic slices of Island label production. Familiar cuts from the mighty Desmond Dekker (007 Shanty Town) and the Melodians (Rivers of Babylon) always sound fresh and these are more than matched by Scotty's Draw Your Brakes or The Maytals' ...

There are not that many film soundtracks that are made into CD’s and are played and treasured as an album in their own right. People usually buy them because they liked the film, find that half the tracks are not so good without said film, and the CD inevitably gravitates towards the dusty, never played, soon-to-be-in-a-boot sale section of the CD rack. There are a few exceptions to the rule. ‘Easy Rider’ comes to mind for those of you who are greying, balding or drooping. ‘Pulp Fiction’ is probably a better example for those who still have all their own teeth. Being a member of the former I can also cite this album, now digitally re-mastered, ‘The Harder They ...

First off, its good to actually state that only about a third of the tracks on the album are by Jimmy Cliff. The album is generally credited to him because he starred in the film of the same name. However, saying that, this has to be one of the most coherant sound track albums I have ever heard, both due to the quality of the music and through the themes of life in the Kingston Ghettos. The tunes by Cliff stand out by the sheer strength and determination in his voice as he sings "You can get it if you really want" ."Many rivers to cross" must be one of the most strangely uplifting but depressing songs you could ever hear. Some of the ...