Summary
The Best of the Classic Years is a compilation album by the Nigerian musician King Sunny Adé.[2] It was released by Shanachie in 2003.[3] The album showcases Adé's rawer pre-Island Records sound.[4][5]
| The Best of the Classic Years | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Compilation album by | |
| Released | 2003 |
| Recorded | 1969-1974 |
| Genre | Jùjú, African pop |
| Label | Shanachie[1] |
Background edit
The compilation compiles material recorded between 1969 and 1974 for the Nigerian market.[6] The 1974 hit "Synchro System" was re-recorded by Adé for his 1983 album of the same name.[6]
The album was compiled by Randall Grass.[7]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| Robert Christgau | A+[7] |
| (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [8] |
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide called the compilation's music "an engrossing dream of interlocked beats, pealing guitars, and sweet voices."[8] In his review of the album, Robert Christgau called Adé "a titan, one of the great pop musicians of the 20th century."[7] He listed The Best of the Classic Years as the best album of 2003.[9] AllMusic called it "the perfect place to start" with Adé's work.[6] In 2020, the album was ranked number 465 in the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" by Rolling Stone.[10]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sunny Ti De Medley"
| 17:53 |
| 6. | "Synchro System (complete original version)" | 18:12 |
| 7. | "Ibanuje Mon Iwon" | 13:56 |
| 8. | "Afai Bowon" | 7:04 |
| 9. | "Ogun Party Part 1" | 8:59 |
| 10. | "Adena Ike" | 5:36 |
References edit
- ^ "King Sunny Ade – The Best of the Classic Years". Shanachie Entertainment.
- ^ Shuster, Fred (11 Feb 2003). "Playlist". Los Angeles Daily News. p. U7.
- ^ "Reissues". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. April 2, 2003 – via Google Books.
- ^ Tarte, Bob (May 15, 2003). "Raw and Uncooked". Miami New Times.
- ^ Moon, Tom (August 28, 2008). 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. Workman Publishing. ISBN 9780761153856 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d "Best of the Classic Years - King Sunny Ade | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- ^ a b c "Robert Christgau: CG: King Sunny Ade". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ a b Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (January 2, 2004). (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743201698 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: Pazz & Jop 2003: Dean's List". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2020-10-09.