The Clash: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones (vocals, guitar); Paul Simonon (vocals, bass); Topper Headon (drums).
Additional personnel: Mickey Gallagher, Timon Dogg, Norman Watt-Roy, J.P. Nicholson, Ellen Foley, David Payne, Ray Gasconne, Band Sargeant Dave Yates, Den Hegarty, Gary & Bill Barnacle, Luke & Ben & Maria Gallagher, Jody Winscott, Ivan Julian, Noel Tempo Bailey, Anthony Nelson Steelie, Lew Lewis, Gerald Baxter-Warman, Terry McQuade, Rudolph Adolphus Jordan, Battersea.
Digitally remastered by Ray Staff & Bob Whitney (Whitfield Street Studios).
Personnel: Mick Jones , Joe Strummer (vocals, guitar); Topper Headon (vocals, snare drum); Ellen Foley, Mikey Dread, Paul Simonon, Tymon Dogg (vocals); J.D. Nicholson, Mick Gallagher (keyboards).
Audio Mixers: Mikey Dread; Bill Price .
Animation: Steve Bell.
Photographer: Pennie Smith.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Davey Payne; Den Hegarty; Ray Gascogne; Norman Watt-Roy.
SANDINISTA! was the Clash's affirmation of their support for the Nicaraguan revolution, the movement that overthrew President Somoza and aroused the ire of U.S. President Reagan. The music was a more conscious exploration of reggae and dub music than the Clash had ever attempted. The group fought their record company to keep the 3-LP set affordable to their fans, accepting lower royalty rates so the price would be as low as a single LP.
Professional Reviews
Q (12/99, pp.152-3) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...an exceptionally high strike-rate....there was real quality..."
Alternative Press (11/00, p.144) - Included in AP's "10 Essential Political-Revolution Albums"
Alternative Press (3/00, pp.74-5) - 4 out of 5 - "...This is the Clash set that will still likely enchant into tomorrow for its foolhardy attempts at awe-inspiring successes....a manageable listen..."
Magnet (p.114) - "[T]ackling dub, gospel and surf rock with the same fervor with which the Clash had already mastered punk, reggae and rockabilly."
CMJ (1/5/04, p.8) - Ranked #2 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1981".
