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Britain should be really proud of Billy Ocean. He is biggest best selling black artist to embrace his name in British pop. He has a brilliant voice and charisma as a singer. To be where he has progressed is the greatest achievement of his career. Obviously, he is not in the same league as Elton John, George Michael and Phil Collins, but his value cannot be underestimated at all. I feel in that sense he maybe a little overrated, which is an inaccurate reflection of him as a solo artist.

The CDs features in the set, honours the talents of Billy Ocean. This include ballads such as When the going gets tough the tough get going, Suddenly, Caribbean Queen, There'll be sad songs to make you cry and many more. During the 1980's, Billy Ocean prospered as an artist particularly in United States and in his native Britain (but emigrated from Trinabad at the age of eight). His 70's selection of songs are not bad at all, in this CD set, but he is renowned for his popularity in the 80's if you get what I mean.

If you love catchy tunes and late 70's/ 80's music, buy this album and you will be pleased with the results just like I am.

Rating: 5 out of 5

During his 1970s/80s prime Billy Ocean released a hatful of classic pop tunes. In fact this album has a embarrassment of riches when it comes to quality pop music. All the great party hits are here, such as "When the going gets tough" and "Get outta my dreams". They're sure to fill up the dance floor when they come on (in the good clubs anyway!). There are also more soulful songs with the likes of American #1 "There'll be sad songs..". It also provides a good overview of his career including a live performance and some of his largely overlooked early 1990s work.

On the negative side there are some good songs missing- "Stop me", "License to Chill", "Rose" and "Calypso crazy". I also think its strange for the cover of "Long and winding road" to yet again make a appearance on a collection of Billy Ocean's work.

Despite the negative points what is left is great fun to listen to. If you like your 1980s pop you can't go far wrong.




Rating: 4 out of 5

Born in Trinidad as Leslie Charles, he was raised in Britain from an early age, eventually coming to public attention as Billy Ocean via two UK number two hits and two other UK top twenty hits in the seventies.Billy's first UK hit, Love really hurts without you, was a catchy, up-tempo soul song that made number two in the UK. The follow-up, LOD Love on delivery, just made the top twenty. Next came Stop me if you've heard it all before, which just missed the top ten but isn't included here. After that came his second number two hit, Red light spells danger.Billy's career seemed to be blossoming but it was at this point that things went wrong. His record label, GTO, was taken over by a major and although he remained for a few years, he only had two minor UK hits (not included here) to show for his efforts. He eventually signed with another label, Jive, a move that revived his recording career.On his new label, Billy had three American number one hits (Caribbean queen, There'll be sad songs to make you cry, Get outta my dreams), all of which did well in Britain (two made the top ten and another just missed), a British number one hit (When the going gets tough the tough get going) and another British top ten hit, Suddenly, together with a few minor hits.I generally like his seventies music best (and there is another compilation focusing exclusively on that period) but most people remember him for his eighties music, which I also enjoy. This compilation includes three of Billy's seventies hits together with all his big hits of the eighties. As such, it comes very close to justifying its title Ultimate collection and that will do for most people.

Rating: 5 out of 5

This is a must for all Billy Ocean fans! For those that don't know these songs there is a song for every mood, starting with the Classic that was in the film The Jewel Of The Nile [1985] staring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. It has most of his best work. This collection is excellent for playing in the car when on a long drive or around the house. It really gets you going and has songs to just to chill to. This is one of my personal favourites of all time.

Rating: 5 out of 5

This is a must for all Billy Ocean fans! For those that don't know these songs there is a song for every mood, starting with the Classic that was in the film The Jewel Of The Nile [1985] staring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. It has most of his best work. This collection is excellent for playing in the car when on a long drive or around the house. It really gets you going and has songs to just to chill to. This is one of my personal favourites of all time.

Rating: 5 out of 5