This is without a doubt his best single disc collection, and with a written history in the booklet. Obviously it's missing a few key songs, but at 22 tracks it's hard to complain. Most of his best songs are here, including "Land Of The Sea And Sun", "Jump In The Line", "Cocoanut Woman", "Jamaica Farewell", "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)", and his early favorite "Day-O". Plus there's the Christmas time classic "Mary's Boy Child". Of what's not here, I miss "Scratch, Scratch" the most. His slower songs are some of the best ever, but it's his more upbeat ones that are so fun to sing along with, regardless of whether you're 7, or 57.

Your assignment: Review the singles and album tracks Harry laid down for RCA between 1952 and 1970. Pick 22 selections which represent his Calypso energy, his ballad sensitivity, his race, his beliefs, his pop market hits during the height of his career (1956-62, in my opinion.) Throw in an early side or two, a novelty song or two. The people with that assignment ended up with this CD. I would have created one with at least six different songs. So would anybody. As some other reviewers have noted, it is inexplicable that "Matilda" and "Turn Around" and "Kingston Market" and maybe "Abraham, Martin and John" are not here. They would have been wiser choices, for my tastes, than "Done Laid Around" and "I'm Just a Country Boy" and "Hold 'em Joe" and "Two Brothers" and perhaps even "Bam Bam Bamba" which is Harry's version of "La Bamba", made famous in 1958 (two years later) by the late Ritchie Valens. However, there are many fine performances here: "Day-O" and "Angelina" and "Jump Down Spin Around" and "Jump in the Line" and "Jamaica Farewell" and "Island in the Sun" and "Man Smart" make the CD worth owning if you lack them on other Harry discs. "Scarlet Ribbons" from 1952 and "Mary's Boy Child" from '56 close the album on a solemn note. Was it a good choice to have the slow songs outnumber the catchy ones? Personal taste rules. Was it wise to lay out the songs in this order, which is not strictly chronological, and in fact, to me, has no obvious sense to it? Personal taste again. I found my CD at a bargain price, about half the current retail amount, so I am content. But this isn't the complete and total one-disc best of Belafonte it should have been. And since he didn't end his RCA contract until 1970, but the disc has no song younger than 1961 on it, it appears the compilers are telling us that HB produced not a single song in nine years worthy of inclusion. I find that hard to believe. Still, this looks like the best overall Harry CD on the market right now.

Like another reviewer, I thought of buying the Beetlejuice soundtrack to hear his two famous songs, Day-O and Jump in the Line. I'm so glad I bought this CD instead. I enjoy most of the songs, and there is only one that I really don't like (Angelique-O, sounds like he's preaching about the old-school idea of the enslaved-housewife, but a catchy tune). He seems to come back around with his Man Smart, Woman Smarter song. One song women-bashes, then the next man-bashes, go figure. My favorite song is Angelina and so many of the songs make ya wanna get up and dance around and sing along. Most of the slow songs give insight to the sensitivity of Mr. Belfonte. Definately a fun CD that is sure to be a party hit.

Please don't buy this if you are only going to listen and appreciate the "Beetlejuice Songs". It's not right nor is it fair to give this album a measly star. Harry has a soothing voice that produces fabulous songs. However, I do agree that this album is lacking quite a few great songs, such as "Matilda", "Sweetheart from Venezuela", and "Kingston's Market". I am giving this album 4 stars because of this. It's a great album for any collection...

A well-packed CD with sound much improved from the old RCA Greatest Hits volumes, but two glaring omissions cost this compilation a five-star rating : where is "Matilda" and "Turn Around"? The search for the definitive one-disk Belafonte anthology goes on...