Mr. Budy Bye (VP, 1995)

A greatest hits album for Johnny Osbourne was long overdue when Mr. Budy Bye came out in 1995, and although it's incomplete, it gives you a sense of the artist's grand influence and staying power.  The tunes included here range from the old-fashioned live-band roots of "Mr. Walker" to the early dancehall of "Folly Ranking" to the straight-up digital riddims of the classic "Budy Bye," all produced by the versatile King Jammy and featuring such great musicians as Roots Radics, Steely & Clevie, and Mafia & Fluxy.  The landmark, influential songs don't stop at "Budy Bye," however; even if you haven't heard these songs, you have likely heard variations on them at some point in time: "Ice Cream Sound," "Chopper," "What a La La," "Rock and Come In," "Can't Leave Us Alone," "Water Pumping," "People Are You Ready," and probably more.  Several of the tracks on Mr. Budy Bye are merely OK, though, as the old-school sound gets a bit old after 19 cuts; many have more value in their influential style than in their quality as songs.  And how can you have a "best of" Johnny Osbourne without any cuts from Truths and Rights?  And what about his debut single "All I Have Is Love," or the epic "Purify Your Heart?"  Mr. Budy Bye is still a valuable look at an historic career...just not as valuable as it could've been.