This Is Desmond Dekker - Desmond Dekker

Advantages: A mix of the classics + no hit wonders who deserve a 2nd listen
Disadvantages: The last disc tails off abit, but 3½ discs are excellent

...the right touches to Sugg’s deadpan vocal about being the dumpee. 2/ Desmond Dekker – The Israelites Ska classic, but an unnecessary re-recording which isn’t as vital as the original, being dominated by cymbals and saxophone rather than Dekkers impenetrable vocals. 3/ Joe ‘King’ Carrasco – Buena Cowpunk latin crossover and surprisingly good 4/ Graham Parker – Stupefaction Big 60s soul sound, sounds wonderful 5/ Jona Lewie – You’ll always find me in the kitchen at parties Catchy novelty electro-pop 6/ any trouble – Trouble with Love Early 80’s guitar pop, new wave with a tune and its alright, but losing the roughness loses the edge. 7/ Dave Stewart & Colin Blunstone – what becomes of the broken hearted Massive bass synth reminiscent of pre-Dare Human League... Read review

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Advantages: Great sound
Disadvantages: Some weak links

...' is superb as it captures the feel of the original but turns it into a faithful soft-core punk rendition. The track is quite hard-hitting, very in your face material as is '9 to 5' by Dolly Parton, modifying less boisterous tracks into real music. However, most people will probably disagree with me on that one! 'Dragster', off the 'Story of My Life' single, begins calmly, and is in fact a welcome relief after '9 to 5'. The bass line, although not complicated, provides a gentle feel before a relaxed tune sets in, ending with a fantastic tuneful mellowness. I hope I haven't lost you here! 'An Elf and His Zippo' returns to the wild feel we had come to expect of this band. Off the 1996 single named 'Move Your Car', this is the real Millencolin, pacey and creating music which strays less. I cannot stand 'Israelites', a cover of Desmond... Read review

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Advantages: Timeless classics; 50 tracks for £7
Disadvantages: Recording quality of older tracks

...history, but at £6.99 during saletime, it's a steal! Alternatively, HMV sometimes include Trojan compilations in their "3 for £20" promotions - again working out at around £7 per album. ---SUMMARY--- Beautiful, chirpy, rustic music that has suffered a little, but given that some of these tunes were recorded on second rate equipment somew 40 years ago, it can be forgiven. Some of the instrumentals may be a little dull and the brass section a bit shrill, but it's the non-instrumental tracks with their distant vocals that are a real delight here. This particular set may be obscure for most tastes, so check out the UK Singles Box Set instead, it features: -Desmond Dekker: Israelites -Dave & Ansel Collins: Double Barrel -Bob & Marcia: Young Gifted & Black and a host of other late 60's, early 70's UK top ten hits... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful