Johnny Clarke - 20 Massive Hits (2023)

20 Massive Hits indeed, but one of Johnny Clarke's biggest, at least in Jamaica, was his version of Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry," and that's not here. It caused a lot of hard feelings at the time, which may be why it was not included on this compilation, originally released in the late '70s. In any event, a slew of equally enticing numbers are found within, so one doubts that there would be much complaint, especially as the set kicks off with the incendiary "Enter into His Gates" and the storming "Move Out a Babylon," two of Clarke's earliest roots masterpieces. More duly followed, including the haunting cover of the Abyssinians' "Declaration of Rights," the seminal "Blood Dunza," the emotive "Play Fool Fe Get Wise," the adamant "Dread a Dread," and the exultant "Roots Natty Roots." These songs feature Clarke at his most militant, while "Peace in the Ghetto" and a lovely cover of the Wailers' "Simmer Down" saw the singer reaching out to calm and soothe troubled waters. All of these cultural classics date from Clarke's work with producer Bunny Lee in the '70s, with the sizzling rockers and steppers backings supplied by the Aggrovators, and with King Tubby engineering and mixing. Lee rode these riddims to international stardom, and Clarke remained one of his most reliable vocalists. Together the pair would help define the entire rockers age. But for all his cultural concerns, the singer occasionally dipped his toes into less heavy waters, although little of that is found here beyond the everybody smile "Nice Time" (yet another Wailers cover), "Going to the Ball" (just for a change of pace, a Paragons number), and the obligatory dancehall taunt "King of the Arena." Considering the quality of all his recordings with Lee during this period, it's no surprise that the songs have been heavily recycled on compilations. This one, though, by dedicating itself almost entirely to Clarke's toughest cultural edge, is among the best.

Review by Jo-Ann Greene