Come Back Darling Meets Warrior

Album Review

The perfect two-fer package, twinning together both albums Johnny Osbourne cut for producer Winston Riley and his Techniques label. The first, Come Back Darling, was recorded back in 1970, when Osbourne was a part-time member of the Sensations, and it's that superb vocal group who provide the sublime harmonies for that set. Bundling up the best of their singles, Darling included the smash title track, and a slew of crucial cuts including "Warrior," "He Who Keepeth His Mouth," "See & Blind" and "Power & the Glory." Unfortunately, Osbourne chose to emigrate to Canada just as the album was released. The singer returned to Jamaica later in the decade, initially to Studio One, then branching out, before finally relinking with Riley as the '70s ended. With Ernest Wilson, the Mighty Diamonds' Donald "Tabby" Shaw, and Riley himself now supplying harmonies, Osbourne recorded another slew of classic cultural and romantic numbers, which were promptly gathered up for 1980s Meet Warrior set. Among the highlights are "What a Fire," "Love Is for Jah," and "Mr. Politician," but like its predecessor this was an album of flawless masterpieces. This compilation presents both sets in their entirety, as well as a further trio of excellent early '70s singles — "Ready or Not," "Nyah Man" (mistitled "Ninaman"), and "My Name Is Man." None of them makes up for the frustrating exclusion of "Purify Your Heart," Osbourne's best cut for Riley, but that aside, this set is a winner.