Super Cat Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
Super Cat's streak of internationally successful reggae albums endured with The Struggle Continues, a typically solid set. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'The Good, the Bad, the Ugly & the Crazy'
Release Date 6/7/1994
Tracks 14
Label Sony
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Tapping into Jamaican music's long fascination with the American West (and with Clint Eastwood's films in particular), the first-ever four-way DJ album brought together a posse of tough-toasting chatters on Super Cat's Wild Apache label. On The Good, the Bad, the Ugly & the Crazy, Super Cat and fellow dancehall veteran Nicodemus were joined by their younger protégés, Junior Demus and Junior Cat; the result isn't the usual DJ showdown, but features the gang of four taking on all comers. The junior partners here had studied their forebears very closely, making it sometimes hard to distinguish who's on the mike during the mix-and-match pairings. The tunes, however, are often as colorful as the cowboys-and-Indians album graphics. With island hitmakers like Sly & Robbie, Steely & Clevie, Danny Browne, and Tony Kelly providing the riddims, there's a surplus of strong material, especially the catchy Casiotone groove of "Scalp Dem" and the stripped-down "We Nuh Stop Cry," a Super Cat showcase with a war whoop for its hook and a message of solidarity with ghetto residents going through daily "sufferation." The album, recorded in New York instead of Jamaica, also follows the trend of many early-'90s dancehall outings, incorporating hip-hop beats in an appeal to U.S. listeners. The Americanized remixes of "Cabin Stabbin" (a previous hit for Super Cat, Nicodemus, and Junior Demus) and "Vineyard Party," which feature production from Little Louie Vega, are presentable enough crossover moves -- although the originals would have made this spaghetti Western of an album a stronger package. ~ Dan LeRoy, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The best album available from Super Cat, one of Jamaica's hottest dancehall artists of the '90s (best known in the U.S. as "that guy that talks fast in the Sugar Ray song"). There are a couple of guest appearances made by Heavy D, to the credit of the album. The recurring ability of the songs to consistently provide a simple groove for Super Cat to fervently rap over the top of is amazing, and the virtuosity with which he can constantly provide the necessary vocal concoctions is noteworthy. As is necessary for any current (or near current) dancehall album, there's a certain level of gun talk and slackness involved. For anyone who's interested in the dancehall scene of the '90s (Shabba Ranks, Ninjaman, Cutty Ranks, etc.), this album would be a good addition to the collection. For others, there might be other notable albums to pick up first -- Shabba's albums, or maybe Rhino's Mash Up the Place compilation. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
