This is the album that made 's career. Up to this point, had only been a part of 's focus in his recordings of music styles. But with this landmark album, not only became tattooed to permanently; it had a revolutionary effect on music in the 1950s and '60s. The album consists of songs from Trinidad, mostly written by West Indian songwriter (aka ). 's two most successful songs are included -- and (which were both hit singles for ) -- as are the evocative and what could be the first feminist song, became the first million-selling album by a single artist, spending an incredible 31 weeks at the top of the album charts, remaining on the charts for 99 weeks. It triggered a veritable tidal wave of imitators, parodists, and artists wishing to capitalize on its success. Years later, it remains a record of inestimable influence, inspiring many folksingers and groups to perform, most notably , which was named for the Jamaican capital. For a decade, just about every folksinger and group featured in their repertoire at least one song that was of West Indian origin or one that had a beat. They all can be attributed to this one remarkable album. Despite the success of , refused to be typecast. Resisting the impulse to record an immediate follow-up album, instead spaced his albums apart, releasing them at five-year intervals in 1961, 1966, and 1971. ~ Cary Ginell