Delroy Wilson - Better Must Come - The Anthology (2004)

Delroy Wilson began his singing career as a teenager at Clement Dodd's Studio One (where seemingly everyone in the Jamaican music business appears to have started out), eventually working with nearly every producer on the island, including Sonia Pottinger, Joe Gibbs, Winston "Niney" Holness, Keith Hudson, Leslie Kong, and Bunny Lee. As he matured, Wilson's voice rounded into a hoarse, smoky tenor that was as soulful a vehicle as Jamaica ever produced, and although he isn't as well known as later singers like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs, his approach and phrasing influenced them all, even Bob Marley. This two-disc, 50-track collection covers Wilson's rocksteady era, from 1968 to 1978, and while it doesn't include early sides like his cover of the Tams' "Dancing Mood," it features a solid representation of what was clearly his peak period, especially his work with Bunny Lee, which spawned such classics as "Better Must Come," "Cool Operator," and "Here Come the Heartaches." Also worth noting here are the tracks Wilson cut with Keith Hudson, including the odd "Adisababa" (a repatriation anthem based on the melody of "House of the Rising Sun"). "False Rasta" (sometimes known as "Rascal Man"), produced by Niney, is another high point, as is Wilson's fantastic cover of Marley's "I'm Still Waiting," produced by Lloyd Charmers. Wilson was fascinated by Motown (as was most of Jamaica), and he recorded several of the label's songs, including the subtle redefinitions of "The Same Old Song," "Ain't That Peculiar," "This Old Heart of Mine," "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever," "Get Ready," and "Baby Don't You Do It" (which Wilson retitled "Can You Remember") that are included here. Sort of Jamaica's Marvin Gaye (or perhaps Al Green), Wilson was pivotal in moving the island's music toward its brilliant, skewed, upside-down version of American soul, and his warm, assured phrasing is the equal of any Motown or Stax star. This compilation, concentrating as it does on the singer's best years, is darn near indispensable in assessing his considerable talent.

1.01 - Delroy Wilson - Once Upon A Time (3:03)
1.02 - Delroy Wilson - I Want To Love You (2:51)
1.03 - Delroy Wilson - (Love Me Forever) 'Til I Die (3:17)
1.04 - Delroy Wilson - This Old Heart Of Mine (2:44)
1.05 - Delroy Wilson - Give Love A Try (2:31)
1.06 - Delroy Wilson - This Life Makes Me Wonder (3:19)
1.07 - Delroy Wilson - Put Yourself In My Place (2:37)
1.08 - Delroy Wilson - It Hurts (2:25)
1.09 - Delroy Wilson - I'm The One Who Loves You (2:23)
1.10 - Delroy Wilson - Your Number One (2:05)
1.11 - Delroy Wilson - Run Run (3:19)
1.12 - Delroy Wilson - I'm Gonna Get You (2:21)
1.13 - Delroy Wilson - Show Me The Way (2:29)
1.14 - Delroy Wilson - Gave You My Love (2:49)
1.15 - Delroy Wilson - Got To Get Away (2:34)
1.16 - Delroy Wilson - Drink Wine (Everybody) (2:46)
1.17 - Delroy Wilson - Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever (2:43)
1.18 - Delroy Wilson - I Am Trying (3:24)
1.19 - Delroy Wilson - Better Must Come (2:44)
1.20 - Delroy Wilson - Try Again (2:17)
1.21 - Delroy Wilson - Cool Operator (1:55)
1.22 - Delroy Wilson - Come Along (2:10)
1.23 - Delroy Wilson - Keep Your True Love Strong (2:56)
1.24 - Delroy Wilson - Peace And Love (2:24)
1.25 - Delroy Wilson - You Keep On Running (2:07)
1.26 - Delroy Wilson - Call On Me (2:37)
2.01 - Delroy Wilson - Adisababa (2:48)
2.02 - Delroy Wilson - The Same Old Song (3:01)
2.03 - Delroy Wilson - Cheer Up (2:51)
2.04 - Delroy Wilson - Here Come The Heartaches (3:10)
2.05 - Delroy Wilson - Who Cares (3:04)
2.06 - Delroy Wilson - Pretty Girl (2:39)
2.07 - Delroy Wilson - Ain't That Peculiar (2:57)
2.08 - Delroy Wilson - Can I Change My Mind (3:43)
2.09 - Delroy Wilson - Live And Learn (3:08)
2.10 - Delroy Wilson - Living In The Footsteps (Of Another Man) (3:08)
2.11 - Delroy Wilson - Have Some Mercy (3:24)
2.12 - Delroy Wilson - Cherry Baby (2:42)
2.13 - Delroy Wilson - Can You Remember (2:38)
2.14 - Delroy Wilson - Mash Up Illiteracy (2:24)
2.15 - Delroy Wilson - False Rasta (3:08)
2.16 - Delroy Wilson - It's A Shame (2:27)
2.17 - Delroy Wilson - So Long, Jenny (2:43)
2.18 - Delroy Wilson - Get Ready (3:05)
2.19 - Delroy Wilson - You Must Believe Me (2:58)
2.20 - Delroy Wilson - I'm Stil Waiting (5:14)
2.21 - Delroy Wilson - Worth Your Weight In Gold (4:59)
2.22 - Delroy Wilson - We're All In This Thing Together (3:25)
2.23 - Delroy Wilson - Is It Because I'm Black (3:29)
2.24 - Delroy Wilson - Consider Yourself (3:01)