Recorded in Jamaica.

Recording information: Jamaica (1974).

It must have been a daunting task for Jimmy Cliff to follow THE HARDER THEY COME, which established him as the one of the premier figures in the world of reggae. As the title indicates, Cliff continued to concern himself with the difficulties of life in his native Jamaica, offering up songs of hope and transcendence, while sprucing up his palette with touches of soul and gospel.

STRUGGLING MAN has a classic roots-reggae sound, and Cliff's vocals are joyous. When he sings "a change must come" in "Better Days Are Coming" it's hard not to recall the sweet singing of Sam Cooke. The title track, though less known then other Cliff originals, ranks with his finest works. Cliff shifts gears with fine results on "Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving You," a Dave Mason cover that sounds like an old chestnut Otis Redding might have sung, and "Let's Seize the Time," a gospel-flavored number that really shows off Cliff's pipes. In "Can't Live Without You," Cliff takes an atypical look at interpersonal struggles rather than those of a people.