The Best of the Classic Years is a compilation album by Nigerian musician King Sunny Adé. It was released by Shanachie in 2003.[5] The album showcases Adé's rawer pre-Island Records sound.[6][7]

The Best of the Classic Years
Compilation album by King Sunny Adé
Released	2003
Recorded	1969-1974
Genre	Jùjú, African pop
Label	Shanachie[1]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Robert Christgau	A+[3]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide	[4]

Background

The compilation compiles material recorded between 1969 and 1974 for the Nigerian market.[2] The 1974 hit "Synchro System" was later re-recorded by Adé for his 1983 album of the same name.[2]

The album was compiled by Randall Grass.[3]

Critical reception

The New Rolling Stone Album Guide called the compilation's music "an engrossing dream of interlocked beats, pealing guitars, and sweet voices."[4] In his review of the album, Robert Christgau called Adé "a titan, one of the great pop musicians of the 20th century."[3] He listed The Best of the Classic Years as the best album of 2003.[8] AllMusic called it "the perfect place to start" with Adé's work.[2] In 2020, the album was ranked number 465 in the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone.[9]

Track listing

References