The latest joining of creative forces marketed under Strut’s Inspiration Information banner is veteran Jamaican vocalist Horace Andy and remix guru Ashley Beedle. While Horace retains his roots-reggae stance through his worldview lyrics (plus adds a new slant on the Stones’ classic Angie), the rhythms are an interesting mix of popular styles thanks to Ashley’s creative input.
Jazz comes to the fore in the particularly groovy When The Rain Falls, with its slinky rhythm, as Horace urges us all to live upright. It has Top 20 hit written all over it. Elsewhere, the evergreen Marley track Hypocrites gets another outing in an updated rootsman style and even funky-house pops up with Two Way Traffic. Classic Horace is presented in the dubby Babylon You Lose, while the funk-heavy Watch We would work equally well on a roots or funk club floor. Variety is certainly the spice of life and this fine album delivers it by the cartload.
