The Ruler 1972-1990: Reggae Anthology

by Gregory Isaacs

Overview

Released almost a year after his death at the age of 59, The Ruler: 1972-1990 is a fantastic 40-track collection covering the smooth reggae crooner's best years. Heartbreak, heartache, and occasional social commentary were well within Gregory Isaacs' grasp, with all of it delivered in a convincingly reserved tone, earning him the nickname "The Cool Ruler." The quintessential numbers are almost all here, with "My Only Lover," "My Number One," "Mr. Cop," "Night Nurse," "Rumours," and "Red Rose for Gregory" making this one stellar track list. The stern uprising track "Slave Master" is here, too, although in a live version. Still, it's a very good version and the compilation's excellent second-tier selections more than make up for it; plus, to get some extended mixes as well is absolute gravy. Buy the physical release and a live 1984 show from the Brixton Academy is included on DVD, and the booklet features a welcome essay from Steve "Serpiente" Stromberg along with track-by-track commentary. ~ David Jeffries

Product Details

Release Date:	10/24/2011
Label:	Vp Records
UPC:	0054645418621
Rank:	108820

Tracks

Disc 1

1. My Only Lover
2. Do You Ever
3. All I Have Is Love
4. Lonely Soldier
5. Love Is Overdue
6. Never Be Ungrateful
7. Ba Da
8. The Sun Shines for Me
9. Set the Captives Free
10. My Religion
11. Philistines
12. My Number One
13. Tumbling Tears
14. Special Guest
15. Border
16. Storm
17. Mr. Cop [Extended Version]
18. Sister Love [Extra Special Version]
19. My Time
20. Slave Master

Disc 2

21. Let's Dance
22. John Public
23. Soon Forward
24. Tune In
25. Top Ten
26. Permanent Lover
27. Front Door
28. If I Don't Have You
29. Night Nurse
30. Private Secretary
31. Let Off S'upm
32. Private Beach Party
33. Victim
34. One Man Against the World
35. Rumours
36. Red Rose for Gregory
37. Big All Around
38. Jealousy
39. My Native Woman
40. Too Good to Be True

Disc 3

41. [Untitled]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Gregory Isaacs   Primary Artist
Robbie Shakespeare   Bass
Dennis Brown   Featured Artist
Jimmy Cliff   Featured Artist
Michael Bennett   Vocals (Background)
The Mighty Diamonds   Vocals (Background)
Sly Dunbar   Drums
The Heptones   Vocals (Background)
Bingy Bunny   Guitar
Cleveland "Clevie" Browne   Drums,Vocals (Background)
Earl "Chinna" Smith   Guitar
Tommy McCook   Horn
Ansel Collins   Keyboards
Danny Browne   Bass
Herman Marquis   Horn
Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson   Bass
Bobby Ellis   Horn
Dwight Pinkney   Guitar
Ernest Wilson   Bass
Dean Fraser   Horn
J.C. Lodge   Vocals (Background)
Dalton Browne   Guitar
Robbie Lyn   Keyboards
Ranchie   Guitar
Frankie Waul   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Rose Gaines   Composer
Errol Thompson   Mixing
Christopher Chin   Executive Producer
Hopeton Lindo   Composer
Phil Pratt   Producer
Niney the Observer   Producer
Michael Bennett   Composer
Maxie   Mixing
The Upsetters   Musician
Alvin Ranglin   Producer
The Aggrovators   Musician
Steven Stanley   Mixing
Soul Syndicate   Musician
Augustus "Gussie" Clarke   Producer
Courtney Small   Mixing
Carlton Hines   Composer
Gregory Isaacs   Composer,Producer
Errol Dunkley   Producer
John Holt   Composer
Ossie Hibbert   Mixing,Composer,Producer
The Revolutionaries   Musician
Winston "Niney" Holness   Composer
Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson   Composer
Paul Shields   Mastering
Donald Clive Davidson   A&R,Mastering,Reissue Coordinator
Sly & Robbie   Producer
Syl Gordon   Mixing
Sylvester Weise   Composer
Clive Chin   Producer
Errol "Flabba" Holt   Producer
Bert Keyes   Composer
David Sinclair   Producer
Myrna March   Composer
Keith Anderson   Composer
Steve "Serpiente" Stromberg   Liner Notes
Alex Bartolomei   Editing
Hugh "Redman" James   Producer
Oswald E Hibbert   Composer
Eisaku "Selector A" Yamaguchi   A&R Assistance
Shizuo Ishii   Photography
Sonny Ochiai   Photography
Tappa Zukie   Producer
Beresford C. Estick   Composer
Cleveland Browne   Composer
Ewan Barrett   Composer
Hattie Leeper   Composer
James Hugh   Composer