Gregory Isaacs - Love Songs: The Box Set

Thirty years of reggae rule

If Gregory Isaacs had been American, he could have been Johnny Mathis, such is his total command of any love song he cares to sing. He’d be Mathis with attitude, however, as hidden within the velvet glove of his warm, caressing tone is a steely virility which imbues every song he sings. This triple-CD set offers 60 reasons why he’s known as the Cool Ruler of Jamaican music. With a focus true to its title, there are none of Isaacs’ many roots hits. It’s romance all the way on this neat package, often with the singer as the lonely lover (on titles such as the wistful Love Is Overdue). Soon Forward and Special Guest show that in the 70s he was already adept at composing a lilting melody and interpreting it with warmth and sincerity, while Smile reveals his jauntier side. From his later career, Hold Tight, the perennial favourite Night Nurse and later co-productions with wife June, such as Goosie Gander, are among numerous examples of his time-honed artistry. The bonus DVD sees an impeccably-clad Gregory apply that artistry to work a packed London audience into a frenzy, without ever breaking sweat himself. Cool Ruler indeed.

Charm | CRCDB 3176

Reviewed by Mike Atherton
<< Back to Issue 332