The All-TIME 100 Albums: The Harder They Come by Jimmy Cliff and Various Artists

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The All-TIME 100 Albums

62 of 101

By Josh Tyrangiel Published: November 13, 2006

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ALBUM: The Harder They Come

YEAR RELEASED: 1972 LABEL: Island ARTIST: Jimmy Cliff and Various Artists

TIME 100 ALBUMS PODCASTS

PODCAST: Welcome to the All-TIME 100 Albums - the musical compilations of the last half-century that need no introduction. That said, listen in below as music critics Josh Tyrangiel and Alan Light introduce the list and talk about the top albums of the 1950s and '60s.

PODCAST: We know. Twenty-nine of the 100 greatest albums of all time come in the 1970s, and Pink Floyd isn't there. Play this podcast to learn why we picked the titles we did, and if you have something to say, tell us about it using the talkback link below.

PODCAST: Maybe it's a Sign O' The Times that you're listening to critics' audio recordings about great music, but this podcast about how we chose the best albums of the 1980s really is a Thriller. Give it a listen below.

PODCAST: Here's music even the younger set will know by heart. Listen to selected clips from the 1990s through present day as music critic Josh Tyrangiel discusses his picks.

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The 1972 movie was a mixed bag, but its soundtrack served as most Americans' first introduction to reggae. Jimmy Cliff (playing Ivanhoe Martin, would-be reggae singer turned renegade) provided vocal star power on the title track and the funeral-staple "Many Rivers to Cross." Desmond Dekker & The Aces showed off reggae's roots in 50s R&B on "(007) Shanty Town." Just as good are the contributions from mostly forgotten acts like The Melodians and The Slickers, whose "Johnny Too Bad" is a parable of the film—only far better. "The Harder They Come" was only a modest success, but it opened the door for the arrival of Bob Marley, global superstar, a few years later.