Reggae Love Songs V.2 (Import) (CD)

With two discs of love songs, most of them Jamaican covers of American hits, this set shows how versatile the patented reggae one-drop rhythm can be, and while not everything here works, enough of these sides hit home to make this a pleasant listen. Among the standouts are C.J. Lewis' loping take on "Sweets for My Sweet" (included here in the original 7" single mix), Clint Eastwood and General Saint's "Stop That Train," Jimmy Riley's credible (and almost note for note) cover of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing," Beres Hammond's emotive reworking of Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman," Musical Youth's impossibly catchy "Never Gonna Give You Up," and a pair of stone cold Jamaican classics, Eric Donaldson's "Cherry Oh Baby" and the Paragons' "The Tide Is High" (Blondie had a huge hit with a cover version). ~ Steve Leggett