Special (Jimmy Cliff album)

Special
Studio album by Jimmy Cliff
Released	1982
Genre	Reggae
Label	Columbia
Producer	Chris Kimsey
Jimmy Cliff chronology
Give the People What They Want (1981) Special (1982) The Power and the Glory (1983)

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

Professional ratings

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

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