Wyclef Jean Greatest Hits CD

Personnel inlcudes: Wycleff Jean, R. Kelly, Pras, Mary J. Blige, Youssou N'Dour.
Personnel: Wyclef Jean (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Claudette Ortiz, Blandinna Melky Jean, The Beast, Freddy Ricks, Mary J. Blige, Rock, Youssou N'Dour (vocals); Andy Grassi (guitar); Corey Rooney (strings); Robert Aaron (horns); Teflon (keyboards); Jerry Duplessis (bass guitar); Governor, Khadejia Bass, R. Kelly (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Serge Tsai; Andy Grassi; Warren Riker.
Recording information: Chung King, New York, NY; Manhattan Center; Platinum Sound Recording Studios, New York, NY; The Hit Factory, New York, NY.
Photographers: Dah Len; Kwaku Alston; Nitin Vadukul.
Arranger: Mary Brown.
Much to his credit, Wyclef Jean is more of a producer in the vein of classic R&B and soul producers than he is in alignment with many of his contemporaries. Where most hip-hop and R&B producers are just focused on making a beat or making the hook as catchy as possible, Wyclef has a vision beyond that with his production style as well as his endeavors as a solo artist. This attention to detail and broad scope of music styles has been evident since his early years as a key member (if not the key member) of the Fugees. In a genre where formulas and playing it safe are the norm, Wyclef is a mad scientist taking constant risks and fusing elements of almost every genre imaginable into an amazing signature sound. And although not every experiment can be deemed a success (his cover versions of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" and a duet with Kenny Rogers revisiting "The Gambler" immediately come to mind), Wyclef's production skills on his worst day are still better than many producers' finest hour. Greatest Hits covers three solo albums over a period of six years. While the argument can be made that such a short span of time might warrant a greatest-hits compilation a bit premature, Wyclef has enough quality tracks to justify one -- especially if you are just looking to own his most well-known hits. From his commercial successes on the pop chart ("We Trying to Stay Alive" with fellow ex-Fugee Pras and the classic "Gone Till November") to some of his lesser known hits that only made an impact on the R&B charts, every single one of his finest solo moments is contained here. Die-hard fans will already own many, if not all, of these tracks, but those just getting warmed up to Wyclef's style will find Greatest Hits to be an essential primer. ~ Rob Theakston
Since dropping THE CARNIVAL, his first solo record outside the umbra of the Fugees, to critical acclaim in 1997, Wyclef Jean has consistently created intriguing music, constantly experimenting with different styles and collaborating with unlikely artists from various genres. Jean's debut broke out with the insistent Bee Gees beat of the party anthem "We Trying to Stay Alive," but buried in the folds was the sublimely beautiful, heartfelt ballad "Gone Till November," which would go on to become an unlikely top 10 pop hit. The former song referenced Bob Dylan in its lyrics, while the video of the latter featured a cameo of the folk hero, an unlikely influence that manifested itself on every Wyclef record, leading to a subdued cover of the Dylan's eulogic "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." Surprisingly sincere rock covers have been a hallmark of Jean's career, and none are more improbable or impressive than his mostly-straight-with-a-twist-of-reggae interpretation of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here." On the other hand, a single listen to his hit with movie/wrestling icon the Rock, "It Doesn't Matter," reminds one that 'Clef also knows exactly how to get the party started. This GREATEST HITS collection features all of these tracks and many more by Wyclef, a pioneering performer who's continually expanded the boundaries of hip-hop.