Lenny Kravitz: Greatest Hits on CD

Throughout his career – now into its third decade almost without anyone noticing the fact – Lenny Kravitz has been subjected to cries of “pretender”, “plagirist” and “self-deluded rock icon”. In fairness, the once-dreadlocked lothario has often played into the hands of critics with a string of serviceable and anthemic would-be-classic rock tunes that either draw inspiration from the greats such as Lennon and Hendrix, or mercilessly rip them off – depending on your point of view.

Never quite emulating his obvious musical idols in terms of commercial or artistic success (though 1993’s Are You Gonna Go My Way album was a UK # 1, as was last year’s TV-assisted Fly Away single), this timely Greatest Hits collection proves one thing at least. Kravitz has made some fine records in the 11 years since he arrived on the scene with his debut LP, Let Love Rule.

Most of them are included here, thankfully, although at just 15 tracks it is still a couple of selections light. There’s no place for If You Can’t Say No (from 1998’s underperforming 5 release), nor I Build This Garden For Us, an early single. All the familar Kravitz tunes are present, however, sequenced in a non-chronological order with the biggest hits packed at the front-end of the disc.

Are You Gonna Go My Way? is the natural opener, still packing quite a punch seven years down the line. It pretty much elevated Kravitz to star status in Britain, and it’s easy to see why. Fly Away, despite its higher chart position, wasn’t in the same league and probably remains the second Lenny Kravitz song most people think of.