The Best of Dennis Brown: The Niney Years

by David JeffriesDennis Brown's excellent work in the silky smooth world of lovers rock may overshadow his more roots-minded recordings, but when he hooked up with "rebel" producer Niney "The Observer" Holness in the mid-'70s, the duo recorded a string of singles that, for many reggae fans, form the crucial part of the singer's large discography. The argument has also been made that the Niney tracks are the ones that made Bob Marley declare Brown his favorite singer. It's easy to believe as Niney's love of full-bodied, cabinet-rattling bass plus Brown's cool flow, heartfelt delivery, and righteous lyrics are right in line with the Wailers' belief in easy-skanking and soul rebels. This 2008 collection of Brown and Niney's work remembers all their important songs with "Westbound Train," "Cassandra," and "Africa" being especially huge. Big time favorite "Here I Come" gets special treatment with a flipside version from toaster I-Roy now blended into the tune, turning it into a hypnotic, eight-minute mix. With a handful of rare cuts and some good choices from the duo's reunion in the '90s finishing the disc, it's obvious some expert took great care with the selections, but the otherwise decent liner notes are short on bibliographic data and don't bother mentioning original release dates. While buyers of the physical CD should also be warned they are missing out on the vinyl edition's desirable bonus tracks -- extended versions of "Tenement Yard" and "Westbound Train" -- either format is still highly recommended.