Boney M. – Classics

The idea of this compilation seems to have been to include some of the big hits (Daddy Cool, Rivers Of Babylon) but at the same time make a big deal of the fact that many Boney M. tracks (like Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Heart Of Gold, Dreadlock Holiday) were cover versions. The result is an odd mix.

Liner notes claim that the release includes the group's biggest hits in Finland, which is a bit of a stretch. At 64+ minutes, there would have been room for "Belfast" and "Bahama Mama", which were big hits in the country. "Malaika" was bigger in Finland than in many other countries, so that one is a warranted inclusion. Liner notes also mention the fact that only two members of the group contributed to the recordings and that many songs were sourced from exotic traditionals - which is perhaps quite forward for an official release.

For a fan, "Classics" doesn't offer anything exclusive or new. Two tracks are billed as "Single Version" in the liner notes, but another two single versions are not. Lack of expertise or interest in the compiling is apparent from the fact that single versions of yet another two ("Malaika" and Exodus") exist but weren't used. They would have been easily available as they have appeared on other recent Sony releases. "Exodus" here is simply extracted from the "Lightyears" album, with the beginning of the next track audible at the end.

On a more positive note, there are enough hits to satisfy the average consumer. The choice of the album tracks is unconventional but perhaps also interesting and they sound just fine next to the hits. This is a budget release which should appeal to the generic public. Having said that, I haven't seen this CD in the shops...