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Jimmy Cliff: It’s A Hard Road to Travel, Yes It’s a Rough, Rough Road to Ride

Charlie Gillett, Let It Rock, November 1972

Why is there no Jamican International superstar? Despite providing the world’s pop music with the only genuinely new dance rhythm since rock ‘n’ roll, and some of the most distinctive hits of the past five years (‘The Israelites’. ‘Hold Me Tight’, ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People’), reggae has not established any single performer as a genuine star. Which leaves Jimmy Cliff feeling confused,, frustrated and wondering what else he must do to prove his ability. Unless he has finally broken through by acting the major role in a film, The Harder They Come. To quote one of his songs, time will tell.

Total word count of piece: 5074

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