This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel includes: Big Youth, U-Roy, Leroy Smart (vocals); Tony Chin (guitar); Glen DaCosta (tenor saxophone); David Madden (trumpet); Keith McCleod (keyboards); Sticky Thompson, Sylvan Morris (percussion); I-Threes, Gregory Isaacs (background vocals).

Producers include: Big Youth, Joel Gibson, L. Lindo, Phil Pratt.

Reissue producer: Steve Barrow.

Recorded between 1973 and 1977. Includes liner notes by Steve Barrow, Noel Hawkes.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel: Big Youth (percussion); Earl "Chinna" Smith, Tony Chin (guitar); Bob Becker (harmonica); Headley Bennett, Herman Marquis (alto saxophone); Glen DaCosta (tenor saxophone); David Madden, Arnold Brackenridge, Bobby Ellis (trumpet); Vin Gordon (trombone); Keith Sterling (piano, percussion); Earl Lindo (keyboards); Santa Davis (drums); Sylvan Morris, Uziah "Sticky" Thompson (percussion); Earl Morgan, Barry Llewellyn, Leroy Sibbles, I-Threes (background vocals).

Liner Note Authors: Noel Hawkes; Steve Barrow.

Recording information: Harry J; Joe Gibbs; Randy's.

Photographers: Adrian Boot; David Corio; Dennis Morris.

While hip-hop music arose in the Bronx in the late '70s, rapping over a recorded track--or toasting--had a longer history and deeper roots in Jamaica. Big Youth, one of the most esteemed of its practitioners, with an arsenal of rastafarian chants, unhinged hollers, and sing-songy trills, put a hugely commercial stamp on toasting several years before the Sugar Hill Gang ever recorded a single rhymed couplet. This essential compilation--three discs of Big Youth's finest performances--covers the deejay's most creative period and includes some of his most famous Jamaican hits such as "Hot Stock," "Sky Juice," and "Streets in Africa."

It should come as no surprise that the first collection to do full justice to the career of reggae DJ Big Youth was released by the Blood & Fire label, which has already distinguished itself with an exquisite catalog of reissues and collections designed to bring the music of reggae's classical period (the early to mid-'70s) back into the marketplace. This three-disc box set includes 51 tracks from Big Youth's most productive period, beginning with the early singles recorded for Joe Gibbs and on his own Negusa Nagast label (which included the charming "Hot Cross Bun" and "Hot Stock," a collaboration with Gregory Isaacs and Leroy Smart), and ending with the topical "Can't Take Wah Happen on a West" (written in the wake of the disastrous Westmoreland Flood of 1979) and the blistering "Political Confusion," which name-checks Margaret Thatcher and Jimmy Carter. This is also the period that found him releasing his bizarre and wonderful cover versions -- "Hit the Road Jack," "Proud Mary" (titled "River Boat" here), and, best of all, "Sugar Sugar." As always, the digitally restored sound is exquisite, but this set does mark the first time that Blood & Fire has messed up on packaging. It's beautiful and the booklet is jam-packed with rare photos and extensive liner notes, but the individual disc sleeves are equipped with annoying and self-destructing styrofoam spindles. Don't let that fact dissuade you from buying this marvelous collection, but be forewarned. ~ Rick Anderson

Spin (4/01, p.164) - 9 out of 10 - "...No '70s deejay prefigures American rap like Big Youth....on 'Same Something' he sounds for a second like he 'is' inventing hip-hop. In fact, he was just assembling the pieces..."

Entertainment Weekly (1/19/01, p.87) - "...This is reggae at its most inspirational and intense..." - Rating: A

The Wire (12/00, p.52) - "...A top ranking release....This set is lovingly and lavishly illustrated and annotated....concentrating on rare alternative versions and the best of the rest, which is extensive..."

Muzik (12/00, p.98) - 4 out of 5 - "...Gathers together some of his mightiest moments....All of these are worth lending an ear to..."

NME (Magazine) (12/2/00, p.49) - 9 out of 10 - "...[He] remains one of the most prominent and unique DJs that reggae has yet produced....Not to be ignored."