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One of reggae’s greatest singers, Barrington "Sugar" Minott, has
released a new album of old tunes, Rare Gems. Released on Easy
Star Records this compilation consists of twenty-two unattainable songs,
many of which never left Jamaica for any kind of production or sale abroad.
To this listener it is amazing/astounding that any of these songs have
not already become international hits. Sugar’s sweet vocals are incredible
and the rhythm tracks are never tired with such heavy hitters gracing
this album as: the mighty duo, Sly and Robbie, the great Studio One act,
Jackie Mittoo, the Roots Radics, and Dean Fraser, just to mention a few.
Sugar tackles almost every kind of style of reggae on this album, from
dancehall to lovers’ rock. He is a master of all styles, never selling
himself short to one genre.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica in the 1950’s, Sugar began singing as a
teenager in the group African Brothers. After some time Coxsone Dodd of
Studio One recognized his talent and hired him on to partake in various
roles, from background singer to guitar player. The rest is history, as
he took on a solo career in the later seventies and became a star in his
own right. Rare Gems covers unreleased and hard to find tracks
from 1979-1986.
He starts the album with a heavy roots track, "King of Kings"
— with proud horn lines blaring during the chorus. He moves along
with more roots reggae on tracks "Mr. Fisherman," "What
a Feeling," and "The More We Are Together." They all lead
us to probably the sweetest track on the album, "Half A Love."
Here Sugar tries to teach us that, "half a love is better than no
love at all." Sugar’s enticing and crooning voice makes us feel
his pain and his hope, this lovers’ rock track is a precious gem
and might be worth checking out first when purchasing this album. Then
for all you lovers’ rock fans, move on to "Give My Love To You,"
another sweet ballad that makes you desire the one you love. Sugar is
a master of such sweet sensations and honey vocals. He moves effortlessly
into a dancehall rhythm on "Conscious Lover." All the tracks
on the album are amazing, but the next one to peruse is "Gambling,"
another dancehall track that keeps your head knocking throughout. Another
lovers’ rock treasure is "Tears You Cry," immediately after
"Gambling," so don’t change the CD yet.
"Mind Blowing Decisions" sounds as if it is a track recorded
later in the time span of this album. It is full of complicated chord
changes and is a very nice soul groove with an electric piano gently stroking
that happy spot in your brain. The album ends with "Chant,"
a tune that Sugar chats over in a U-Roy/Prince Jazzbo style. It is a perfect
tune to the end the album with, because it is groovin’ and keeps
you wishin’ for more — so hit repeat and play it again. It is
worth it.
Buy
Sugar Minott's "Rare Gems" at CDNOW
Buy
other Sugar Minott CDs
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