Greatest Hits

Prior to his 1983 breakthrough with "Electric Avenue," Eddy Grant's only brush with success in the U.S. had been in the late '60s as a member of the Equals. Therefore, little of the material on this 1996 compilation will be known to listeners only familiar with the irresistible "Electric Avenue" or the breezy "Romancing the Stone" (both are included). However, most of the songs were hits in the U.K. and Greatest Hits is an interesting introduction to Grant's pleasant mix of dance, rock, funk, and reggae (although maddeningly out of chronological sequence). "Walking on Sunshine" is a percolating, Caribbean-flavored dance number and "It's Our Time" is slinky fun. Grant shows a socially conscious side on the rollicking, wonderful "Gimme Hope Jo'anna." Most fans will probably be content to pick up "Electric Avenue" on one of the many '80s compilations, but, as a sampling of Eddy Grant's work, Greatest Hits is engaging and often infectious listening. ~ Tom Demalon|