Dennis Appeltard

Dennis Brown has to be considered one of the most prolific and popular reggae artists ever. He was born in 1956 and started recording for producer Coxsone Dodd, while still in his childhood. In the 70s and early 80s he established himself as a major force in reggae music with numerous roots and lovers cuts for several leading producers. Throughout his three decades spanning career he has delivered about 65 albums, compilation sets included - he has always continued to win new fans and please old ones with his music. So, it's no wonder Dennis Brown has been called one of the most dependable performers in reggae. In fact, the late great Bob Marley referred to him as his favorite singer, which is quite a compliment. In the nineties he remained a name always worth watching out for. He passed away on July 1st, 1999. A whole generation of Jamaican’s and reggae fans literally grew up with his music. A devout Rastafarian and a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel Organization, Dennis Brown was a musical genius and he will be dearly missed. No doubt Dennis Brown (also known as the Crown Prince of Reggae Music) was one of Jamaica's sweet- voiced singers, who has never limited himself to one style. Whether it is lovers rock, roots & culture or dancehall music, he truly can handle it all and this anthology proves it once again.
Here you will found most of his enduring tunes he recorded for an array of producers, except for the recordings he cut for Coxsone Dodd and Sly & Robbie. After leaving Coxsone Dodd he recorded three immensely popular sides for Lloyd 'The Matador' Daley : What About The Half, Things In Life and Baby Don't Do It. From the singer's highly acclaimed 'Super Reggae & Soul Hits' album comes Changing Times, He Can't Spell, Silhouettes and Concentration. In 1974 Dennis started working with Winston 'Niney' Holness and scored with Westbound Train, Cassandra and I Am The Conqueror. With producer Joe Gibbs he maintained a succesful relatioship that lasted througout the eighties when Dennis signed with A&M Records.
I guess it's just impossible to compile a definitive anthology of Dennis Brown, because the man has laid down such an enormous amount of quality tunes for a variety of producers. This double cd is a truly decent effort.

John Hughes continues the trend he began with the Home Alone series in Dennis the Menace, the Hughes-scripted film version of Hank Ketcham's long-running comic strip, cartoon show, and television comedy. The film opens as Dennis (Mason Gamble) is seen careening down a sidewalk in a beautiful and idealistic suburban town on his training-wheeled bike – cans on string clattering behind him, baseball cards flapping in the spokes of the wheel, his red wagon filled to the brim and his dog following him. "Hey! Mister Wilson!" he screams and slams his bike to a halt in front of his much put-upon neighbor, Mr. Wilson (Walter Matthau). Half of the film concerns vignettes of small-town Hank Ketcham life as Dennis' mom Alice (Lea Thompson) starts a new job, Dennis stays over at his friend Margaret's (Amy Sakasitz) house, and Mr. Wilson and his gentle, well-meaning wife, Martha (Joan Plowright), mind Dennis during the night of a big garden party. Through all this, Dennis continually gets into Mr. Wilson's hair.