Big Audio Dynamite Planet Bad Greatest Hits CD

Big Audio Dynamite: Mick Jones (vocals, guitar); Dan Donovan (vocals, keyboards); Leo "E-Zeekill" Williams (vocals, bass); Greg Roberts (vocals, drums); Don Letts (vocals, effects); Flea.
Big Audio Dynamite II: Mick Jones, Nick Hawkins (vocals, guitar); Gary Stonadge (vocals, bass); Chris Kavanagh (vocals, drums); Andre Shapps (keyboards); Mickey Custance (DJ); Flee, Davo, Darryl.
Additional personnel: Ranking Roger
Producers: Mick Jones, Joe Strummer, Bill Price, Andre Shapps.
Compilation producer: Mick Jones.
Personnel: Mick Jones , Nick Hawkins (vocals, guitar); Dan Donovan (vocals, keyboards); Chris Kaanagh, Greg Roberts, Chris Kavanagh (vocals, drums); Don Letts, Gary Stonadge (vocals); Leo "E-Zee-Kill" Williams (bass voice); Andre Shapps (keyboards).
Photographers: Dan Donovan; Josh Cheuse; Pennie Smith.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Don Letts; Flea .
Culling together tracks chosen from a decade's (and seven albums') worth of material, Planet BAD serves as a focused, well-chosen compilation of Mick Jones' post-Clash outfit. Although neither as critically or commercially successful as the Clash, Big Audio Dynamite's blend of rock and dance music, with a generous dose of samples, was a fixture on college radio in the mid- to late '80s with tracks like "E=MC2," "The Bottom Line," and "C'mon Every Beatbox" (all included here). The band even managed to make a foray onto the U.S. Top 40 charts in 1992 with the infectious "Rush." With his place already secure in rock annals, Jones' work with BAD was much more lighthearted, but it cannily anticipated the influence electronics and technology would have on music. Despite the dated feel of some of Planet BAD, it's also undeniable that the band was a more interesting venture than it was sometimes given credit. ~ Tom Demalon
After leaving the Clash, Mick Jones struck out with a surprising burst of creativity. Big Audio Dynamite's sound had punk energy, thumping hip-hop beats, and a cinematic feel, with samples from both spaghetti westerns and cult classics.
PLANET BAD... leans towards the band's early material from its first two groundbreaking albums, with cuts such as "Bottom Line," "Medicine Show," "C'mon Every Beatbox," and "Sightsee MC!" Representing its mid-period, there's the purist plea to "Just Play Music," and the celebration of Joe Normal in "Other 99." After an illness in the late 80's, Jones rebounded with a revamped line up and the sweeping commercial success of both the awkwardly charming "Rush" and the rap-flavored "Globe." Despite the inclusion of some of its spotty later material, PLANET BAD offers a comprehensive overview of the band's decade-plus long career.