THE FIFTH instalment in the Reggae Lasting Love Songs series from VP Records makes a couple things clear.
For one 'reggae' is applied to any music that comes from Jamaica, so the ballads such as Viscount Oliver's take on God Blessed Our Love, Ernest Wilson's remake of Experience Lover and Jackie Edwards' Daddy's Home, done in their original R&B (as in rhythm and blues) style, as opposed to Jamaica's R&B (rhythm and bubbling) fashion, are included on the album. Then on the flip side there is Dobby Dobson's soulful remake of Alton Ellis' rock steady Muriel.
SOULFUL SIDE OF REGGAE
Naturally then, many a 'lasting love song' shows the imported roots of the soulful side of reggae island, Derede Williams' take on There Goes My Everything adding to the many adaptations of the 16 track album.
Then there is the fact that the women, woefully short in the testosterone-heavy and testicle-heavy present days of reggae and dancehall, have a healthy, manicured hand in the loving side of reggae. In addition to Williams, Carlene Davis (Baby Be True), Doreen Shaffer (Baby Lay Down), Cynthia Schloss (All The Way In), Barbara Jones (You Are Always On My Mind) and Joy White (First Cut Is The Deepest) all contribute good cuts to an album which is high quality throughout.
(It is interesting that with 'hall of my heart' and 'hand I'll give my love to you' from White and Davis respectively, two ladies had han hextra hach to matters of the heart).
Then, love of life and self are included in lasting love My Way being Vic Taylor's salute to Sinatra.
GOOD VOCAL RANGE
From the baritone of Boris Gardiner (This Old House) to the falsetto of Pat Kelly on the closing I'm In The Mood, the album goes through a good vocal range. Thematically it goes through hurt, joy, memories and anticipation, avoiding the oversweet overdose that too often accompanies love song collections.
It would have been good, though, to have had the years the songs were released on the credits and the cover design (or lack thereof) does not indicate that much thought was put into the packaging.
Where it really counts, though, in its music, Reggae Lasting Love Songs: Volume 5 delivers a good listen, many covers and all.
TRACK LISTING
1. Baby Be True - Carlene Davis
2. This Old House - Boris Gardiner
3. Baby Lay Down - Doreen Shaffer
4. Dreams to Remember - Lloyd Brown
5. All the Way In - Cynthia Schloss
6. My Way - Vic Taylor
7. God Blessed Our Love - Viscount Oliver
8. Muriel - Dobby Dobson
9. She Wears My Ring - Delroy Wilson
10. There Goes My Everything - Derede Williams
11. After Loving You - Tito Simon
12. You Are Always on My Mind - Barbara Jones
13. Experience Lover - Ernest Wilson
14. First Cut Is The Deepest - Joy White
15. Daddy's Home - Jackie Edwards
16. I'm In The Mood - Pat Kelly
- Mel Cooke
