Although the title of this rather anemic collection is Reggae Lasting Love Songs, it's not exactly accurate. These saccharine love tunes ooze with heavy pop influences and show just touches of reggae rhythms. Of the album's 16 tracks, only half exhibit a definite reggae beat; the rest bear closer connections to '50s doo wop and '70s schlock pop. These songs demonstrate clear old school sensibilities (hence the lasting title), but they could actually benefit from some of the spark of today's more graphic ballads. The only truly worthy reggae songs on this CD are
Tyrone Taylor's soulful "Come to Me,"
Carlene Davis' moving "Stealing Love," and Marcia Griffiths' stylish remake of
Third World's "Dreamland." ~ Rosalind Cummings-Yeates