Desmond Dekker - You Can Get It If You Really Want [Reissue] (1970;2017)

What Desmond Dekker (arts really want is a comprehensive compilation of the legend’s back catalog, but they’ve been disappointed time and time again. However, You Can Get К If You Really Want: The Definitive Collection finally delivers the goods with a two-CD, career-spanning overview. The set begins at the beginning, with Dekher's 1963 debut single, "Honour Your Mother and Father," then charts his progress across the ska years and into rocksteady. As usual, there’s a bit of scrimping on the former era to make room for the rude boy icon who emerged in the latter. Reggae's arrival created a rough break with the past for many producers, but not Dekker's mentor, Leslie Kong, and the set flows seamlessly from rocksteady into reggae. By now Dekker had begun his dimb to international stardom, with disc two opening with his 1970 hit "Pickney Gal." The singles just kept coming, with the title track another international smash. In 1971, Kong died of a heart attack; the second half of disc two is given over to the aftermath, as Dekker tried to regain his footing and his international standing. He never really did, but never faded away entirely either, with occasional new albums, a stream of compilations, and exultant Eve performances helping to maintain his reputation. While this is a definitive overview, it’s not a complete colection of Dekker’s work, not even of the Kong years. The omission of “Bongo Gal" is surprising, the lack of "Writing on the Wall" perhaps a matter of taste, but inevitably a few of your faves will be missing as well. So, not the perfect collection, but pretty dose. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

01 - You Can Get It If You Really Want
02 - I Believe
03 - Perseverance
04 - Get Up Little Suzie
05 - Peace On the Land
06 - Cindy
07 - Pickney Gal
08 - You Got Soul
09 - Coomyah
10 - That's the Way Life Goes
11 - Peace of Mind
12 - Polka Dot