Everything I Own

AMG Review of Everything I Own

Stephen Cook
All Music Guide

While not the album of the same name Boothe cut for Trojan in 1974, this compilation does include songs from that release, along with many other standout tracks spanning the singer's ocksteady and early-eggae prime. Often likened to Wilson Pickett, Boothe, with his similarly gruff soul delivery, is in top form throughout the 26 tracks here. In addition to hits from his fruitful stay with producer Lloyd Charmers -- including "Crying Over You," "Rasta Never Fail," and the U.K. chart-topping title cut -- the collection features numbers produced by Sonia Pottinger ("Say You," "Lady With the Starlight"), Keith Hudson ("Old Fashioned Way"), and Phil Pratt (a remake of the ska hit "Artibella," which Boothe originally cut with Stranger Cole). Conspicuously missing, though, are the many ocksteady and early-eggae hits Boothe recorded for Clement Dodd at Studio One. But since much of Boothe's work for Dodd was already available, think of this disc as a nice way to fill in the gaps.