Sanctuary Records Group - Trojan

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Love of the Common People – Best of Nicky Thomas

Released on 18 August 2003.

"Featuring 25 of Nicky Thomas' best-loved recordings from the golden age of Jamaican music, this compilation illustrates the unique style that made the singer such a favourite on the Reggae scene for so long. Included are two versions of the song that bought him to the attention of an international audience and inspired British Pop singer, Paul Young to record the number to great effect in 1983."

Cecil ' Nicky 'Thomas, a native Kingstonian cut his musical teeth in 1969 with a series of sides for Derrick Harriott. He then moved to Joe Gibbs which almost immediately paid dividends with the catchy Love of the Common People being a big hit peaking at number 9 in the UK (but take the sparser string reduced JA mix, as a preference). Nicky actually then relocated to the UK and stayed there until his untimely death in the early 1990's.

The Derrick Harriott sides are quickbeat sides, but haunting and soulful (Run Nigel Run and Come Home). The Joe Gibbs material, mainly from the period 1970 to 1972, is sligtly mellowed down with Nicky's distant sounding but distinctive voice more to the fore, and with a catchiness flowing from commercial success. Slightly different and extremely mellow is a gospel tinged roots item Have a Little faith, a great track. There are some soul covers but in particular a good rendition of the classic Turn back the hands of time.

Nicky should not be dismissed on the back of his somewhat twee Common People, and some forgettable covers like Let it be, Lola and If I had a hammer, there are strong songs of the family and community, Mama's Song and God bless the children for example. Also a great dancehall song Doing the Moonwalk and a rootsy Red eye.

Subsequently, with his own production, a great little soul ballad in Images of You complete with harmonies and funky horn section, and a rather nice I'll be waiting.

The later material was commercial and not particularly strong commercial but then came a corker of a Joe Gibbs production, somewhat a rarity in bay can I change my mind and Lonely for your love.








Love Of The Common People (UK Mix) -

  Have A Little Faith -

  Suzanne Beware Of The Devil -

  Run Nigel Run -

  Lonely Feeling -

  Lonely For Your Love -

  Turn Back The Hands Of Time -

  (Baby) Can I Change My Mind -

  Images Of You -

  God Bless The Children -

  Tell It Like It Is -

  Don't Touch Me -

  Only A Child -

  Let It Be -

  London -

  Mama's Song -

  Come Home -

  Rainy Night In Georgia -

  I'll Be Waiting -

  If I Had A Hammer -

  Yesterday Man -

  Doing The Moonwalk -

  Lola -

  Red Eye -

  Love Of The Common People (UK Mix) -











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