Review Summary: A sparkling collection of reggae leitmotifs, Jimmy Cliff's first worldwide acclaimed album still stands strong after five decades of perspective changes.
Jimmy Cliff is one of the most well-known Jamaican reggae singers, and his radio-friendly songs continue to receive a lot of airplay on classic rock stations. Of course, his discography doesn't have the same value as Burning Spear, Upsetters, or The Wailers' body of work, but he released several standards that remain among the most memorable Jamaican songs of all time. The emotional "Many Rivers to Cross" had a magnificent resonation in the blue-eyed-soul décor, and the heart-wrenching "The Harder They Come" benefits from a decisive artistic power that gives it a universal voice.
Although his global fame owes a lot to the classic soundtrack "The Harder They Come," the first Jimmy Cliff album to have reputable success outside Jamaica was "Wonderful World, Beautiful People," an upbeat collection of songs released in 1969, a year of transition from the psychedelic rhythms to the more concrete folk and progressive sound. Even if it benefited from critical acclaim, the album is rarely mentioned nowadays, being largely omitted from music lists and polls due to reggae’s future achievements and classical releases. Contrary to this falling into obscurity, it remains fresh and powerful at more than 50 years from the release, being a memorable blend of catchy melodic lines and politically inspired lyrics, a departure from generic ska and rock-steady.
When I first bought the CD, I felt that the album was more of a collection of songs than a truly accomplished work. Every song seemed to me to sound the same as the previous, the arrangements being constructed on a monotonous melodic line. Also, the music just didn’t affirm as very expressive, and the lyrics, compared to the Wailers’ releases, were simply puerile. In conclusion, I put the album on the shelf and forgot about it until a few days ago, when I read a positive review about it in an old magazine. At a more mature listening, I found myself truly attracted by Cliff’s naive charm, by the catchy refrains, and, among all, by the album’s ability to express the sunny Jamaican landscapes, warming the cold winter outside. "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" is genuinely very expressive, benefiting from a significant suite of qualities that truly missed my perspective years ago.
From the beginning of "Time Will Tell," the beat is infectious, and not in the drug-infused way. The music is downright natural and awake, not sounding sleepy or weed-soaked, a trait rarely found in post-seventies reggae. And the precious melodic lines are accompanied by socially inspired lyrics, whose print will be found years later in Bob Marley’s compositions. The energetic cursiveness of Cliff’s voice makes the music more amiable and overwhelming. The next moment, the classic "Many Rivers to Cross" is a connecting bridge with "Vietnam," which will be a powerful social commentary that foretells the atmosphere of the movie "The Harder They Come." After these three pylons, the album will continue on a path composed of a fusion of reggae and soul motifs, with the music being instantly catchy and amiable, full of unforgettable refrains and powerful arrangements.
The album flows quickly and consistently, displaying some hits (and few misses, because there are some weak or cheaply orchestrated moments) that highlight the contours of one of the first Jamaican musical personalities and introduce us to the utter musicality of a primitive type of reggae that is founded on the aforementioned beautiful musical naivete, socially connected with a brave political commentary.
Even if it’s miles away from the masterful reggae promoted by Bob Marley and The Wailers, "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" stands as a unique expression of a cerebral style, not overburdened by the weed motif or by acid harmonies. I recognize it doesn’t feel like the full expression of a developed style, but I cannot help but classify it among the best reggae albums of all time because of its wonderful rhythmicity and sheer interpretative pathos, which contain the roots of the future harmonies of classic reggae. Without being musically radical, it presents a musician who found his style and was already prepared for stardom. Above this, the record may be a great introduction to reggae for the classic rock fan, due to its soul-rock sound and mainly because of the distinct energy that crowns a unique vocal delivery.
