Orphan and ex-welder
Desmond Dacres, better known to the world as
Desmond Dekker, had a string of poppish ska singles in Jamaica beginning with "Honour Your Mother and Father" in 1963, but he really hit his stride when rocksteady started to break, issuing the classic "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967 and following it up with the eccentric but undeniably catchy sufferer's tale "Israelites" a year later. "Israelites" was a huge hit in both the U.K. and the U.S. in 1968, and opened a door to international success that would allow fellow Jamaican artists like
Jimmy Cliff,
Toots Hibbert, and
Bob Marley to gain overseas audiences. All three of these hits and several others are included in this 12-song set, which touches the essential high points in
Dekker's career.
–
Steve Leggett, Rovi