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The Harder They Come
Original Soundtrack Recording (Deluxe Edition)
Various Artists

Producer: Various
Label: Hip-O Records

Reviewed by William Miller

Essentially, music is supposed to make you feel good. Even if you put on an incredibly dark album like Sinatra's Only the Lonely or anything from the Elliott Smith catalog, the desired result isn't to wallow in the depression of the tortured artist but to be comforted with the fact you're hardly alone when life takes a deep kick in your ass. Bands like the Beatles, Beach Boys, Lovin Spoonfull, the Ramones, and even the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their latest release made music designed specifically to get the biggest grin on the listener's face. Reggae as a genre is built on the same principle, and in my humble but incisive correct opinion, The Harder They Come is the greatest reggae album of all time. And no, Bob Marley had nothing to do with it.

Released in 1973 as the soundtrack to the equally classic movie of the same name, The Harder They Come served up a choice introduction to reggae, a genre hardly known by those outside of Jamaica at the time. Like the fresh herb favored by that particular country but never ever tried by this writer (in fact the guy didn't look anything like me), The Harder The Come has an infectious sound that could liberate the world if the world partook (and no I still haven't tried it). Not only is this a true soundtrack with actual songs from the actual movie (none of that corporate "inspired by" crap), but each track is a keeper (what a concept!). Jimmy Cliff, who also played The Harder They Come's lead role, is the album's MVP and belts out the hit single title track. His performance of "Many Rivers To Cross" floats on an organ based magic carpet of sublime yearning. Clearly, Cliff is the heart of the album, but the contributions by the other early reggae masters Scotty, The Melodians, The Slickers, Desmond Dekker, and The Maytals are just as brilliant. Dekker's "007 (Shanty Town)" and "Johnny Too Bad" by The Slickers deliver more poignant evocations of urban gangster life than any of today's manufactured rap stars.

This "Deluxe" version of The Harder They Come features a second disc of extras common in the Universal Remasters line. However, as opposed to other releases in the series, The Harder They Come's bonus disc does not feature outtakes, demos, or alternative takes. Instead it offers up additional tunes from the artists on the original 1973 album along with reggae tunes from the same period. Out of these, "Israeltites" by Desmond Dekker and the Aces is the standout track and a definite cd repeat button motivator. Other notable tracks are "Vietnam" by Jimmy Cliff and "Cherry Oh Baby" by Eric Donaldson if only for the fact the Stones butchered it on 1976's Black and Blue. The big hit "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash can also be found here, but while no doubt a great song- two things irk me about its inclusion. One, Nash was hardly a local (the guy's from Texas) although he did record the tune in Jamaica, and two, being such a prevalent song on radio, movies, and tv over the years makes it stand out like a sore thumb.

The Harder They Come is a perfect audio accompaniment to most social situation or times of the day: during a meal, a gathering of friends, drive in the car, lying in bed drifting off to sleep, whatever. And when the Man (in any shape or form he may take) is getting you down, The Harder The Come is the perfect salve to almost all of life's problems. One warning, it might give you the munchies.

Rating: (4 out of 4 stars)