Search - Gregory Isaacs :: Ultimate Collection

The Undisputed Cool Ruler

Gavin B. | St. Louis MO | 12/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Any collection of Gregory Isaac's "greatest hits" is of immediate suspect quality because his body of recorded work is gigantic. During the early 80's, Gregory and a cabal of like minded brethern hatched a bizarre plan to corner the international reggae market by glutting the market with new releases. Isaacs was sometimes releasing as many as 7 singles a week, most of which were mediocre. With the exception of an early 90s collection on Sonic Records, all of Gregory Isaac's greatest hits collections are marred by the presence of throwaway tracks and poor sound quality. "Ultimate Collection" on Isaac's venerable African Museum label rectifies that situation.This is an excellent career spanning collection of the Cool Ruler's chart toppers. Given, there are some gaps that exsist but a comprehensive collection of Isaac's best music would take 3 CDs, not one. This retrospective, together with the albums "Soon Forward","Night Nurse" and "Out Deh" will give the listener the complete picture of Isaac's greatest moments... but this collection is a good starting point. Gregory Isaacs should have been international reggae star with the stature of Bob Marley or Peter Tosh. Unfortunately Gregory's love of drugs and penchant for trouble derailed him at the peak of his career. He spent much of his peak popularity behind bars on various drug and weapons charges. I had the privlidge of deejaying one of his live shows in 1983 with the Sugar Minott crew and Half Pint. The notoriously erratic Mr. Isaacs showed up for the 7 pm sound check, disappeared to who knows where, and showed up an hour late for his midnight stage time. When he finally showed up, he blew the roof off the dance hall, but the frantic promoter refused to book Isaacs again. Gregory's best moment are sublime...his silky smooth tenor glides over a song and drops into a low seductive growl. This is after-hours music for the slow skank. On some cuts Isaacs is backed by Sly and Robbie's turbo-charged Taxi crew; but the tracks with the bubbling riddims of the Roots Radics are the tracks where Mr. Isaacs weaves his spell over the listener. "Night Nurse", "Out Deh", "Sad To Know" and "Good Morning" are masterpieces of erotic seduction. I've seen women swoon when he performs these songs in concert. It is these moments when Gregory proves he is the uncontested king of lover's rock and the undisputed cool ruler of reggae."

"known as the "Cool Ruler"...Mr. Gregory Isaacs"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 06/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Check out the latest release from one of the top reggae singers of the '70s, '80s and '90s...Gregory Issacs (Cool Ruler) from Hip-O Records "Ultimate Collection" an ongoing series of this popular genre from the Caribbean. With Isaacs distinctive laid-back style we hear twenty of his top, best of or very best of soothing selections...stand outs are "NIGHT NURSE", "OUT DEH", and "RUMOURS"...impressive arrangements with varying rhythm settings for every performance...this is one not to be missed.You might try other albums from Hip-O, all worthy of a good listen ~ "Roots Reggae Essentials" (314-541-455-2)..."Dub Reggae Essentials" (314-541-803-2)..."Reggae Essentials ina Dancehall Style" (314-541-845-2)..."Lee "Scratch" Perry Ultimate Collection" (314-541-301-2)...check out my reviews on amazon.com/music.Total Time: 73:37 on 20 Tracks ~ Hip-O Records 314-560-430-2 ~ (2001)"

Rockers For Da Soul

Nikarue | Brooklyn, NY | 01/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently purchased this Gregory Isaacs collection CD and it is off da hook. It brought back so many memories of when my Dad used to DJ at parties in our basement at home and at clubs. Gregory's smooth, silky voice with the laid-back tempo beats just make you feel "Irie!" Almost all the songs are good.



Some of my favorites are:



Night Nurse

Top Ten

Front Door

Tune In

Sad To Know (You're Leaving)

Love is Overdue



This is definitely a CD to add to your collection."