Originally released in 1972 in the UK on Island Records (ILPS 9202), the soundtrack album, and the film itself, was a landmark event in promoting reggae beyond Jamaica, particularly in the United States. The album was ranked number 119 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time; it is regularly cited as one of reggae’s key albums and voted by countless tastemakers as an essential collection in any genre.

Spearheaded by four classic Jimmy Cliff songs - "You Can Get It If You Really Want," "Many Rivers To Cross," "Sitting In Limbo" and the fabulous and timeless title track, specifically written by Jimmy Cliff for the film. The rest of the album comprises a compilation of singles released in Jamaica from 1967 to 1972, assembled by the film’s director and co-writer, Perry Henzell.

All the songs on this collection are excellent, but some truly stand out - Toots and the Maytals deliver two high-energy songs with "Sweet and Dandy" and "Pressure Drop" (covered by The Clash among others) while Scotty develops a mellow, loping groove on "Stop That Train" (not the same as the Wailers' song by the same name) and the Slickers’ classic "Johnny Too Bad" is a rude boy anthem!

Long out of print on vinyl, this LP housed in a Gatefold reissue has been remastered at Abbey Road studios and includes notes and photos from the 2003 CD deluxe edition reissue.