And the game of catch-up continues with this next batch of "reviews from the shelf" (aka "stuff I should have reviewed a long time ago, but never go to").
Various Artists: Reggae Rhythms of Love, Volume One (Artists Only!, 2000)
If you want a nice, bubbling set of modern lovers rock from legends of the genre, look no further. Gregory Isaacs starts things off nicely with "Lead Me," which sounds great even with Isaacs' diminished vocal capacity. Isaacs' "Danger In Your Eyes" is even better, where his haunting vocals sound great over Bobby Digital's track. Sanchez contributes two of his better tracks from the era, "Missing You" and "Wherever I Lay My Hat." Cocoa Tea contribues two gems, "Love Me Truly" (with Shabba Ranks, who sounds the same as he ever has) and the majestic "I'm Not a King." Other strong contributions come from Wayne Wonder, Frankie Paul, and Spanner Banner. All production is handled by Bobby Digital Dixon. One of Artists Only!'s stronger releases of the period, Reggae Rhythms of Love, Volume One delivers with a strong selection of modern lovers rock to get your blood bubbling.
Various Artists: Reggae Lasting Love Songs (VP, 2000)
While Reggae Rhythms of Love delivered legend after legend voicing lovers rock over Bobby Digital rhythms, VP's release from right around the same time period features only a handful of internationally known artists, mixed in with a large helping of lesser-known singers. Across the board, the singers do a great job. From JC Lodge's excellent opening cut, "Someone Loves You Honey" to the doo-wop flavored tracks by Tito Simon ("I Cried a Tear") and Bobby Dobson ("Sweet Dreams"). I also really enjoyed Doreen Shaffer's catchy "Sugar Sugar," one of those songs whose hook ("Sugar, sugar, I love you, / Sugar, sugar, I need you") will stick in your mind well past its welcome. The compilation was put together by Chris Chin (son of the late founder of VP, Vincent Chin), Edwin Howell, and Lloyd Campbell. There's a real wealth of talent here and the sound is so far from the traditional lover's rock sound, it's a refreshing listen for those that have heard everything else that reggae has to offer.
Carlton Livingston: Unforgiven (Jamadon, 1999)
Livingstong is an established artist, but not a widely enough recognized one. He's a good songwriter whose songs have been covered by Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, and Sanchez and his vocals are consistent and strong without being overpowering. He has a great early-80s dancehall-singer tone and style that still sounds great today, as shown on this 1999 (2000?) release on Jamadon Records. Livingston sounds espeically good when he's voicing over Peter Chemist productions, like "Johnny Was a Bad Boy" and "A No One of Us." The one other recent release of Livingston's that I've heard (Emotions, a mid-90s release from Grapevine/RAS) had a similar minimalist appeal. Livingston doesn't have an ultra-dynamic voice like a Barrington Levy, but his smoothness is similar to Dennis Brown: you know what to expect and you're happy when you get it. All-in-all, an enjoyable release.
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