Reggae had changed somewhat by the early eighties. That essential, clear bass, cymbals and “One drop” drum sound that so characterised Bob Marley & The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Steel Pulse and the many roots groups of the mid to late seventies had been replaced by a heavier, synth drum-dominated sound and more dance floor-oriented sounds. “Ragga” was on its way. Groups like Black Uhuru still expressed black consciousness and Rasta devotion, but against a less tuneful, less musically diverse backing.
Gregory Isaacs bucked this trend, however. Firstly, although a dreadlocks, he was not one for singing out his religious fervour, praising Jah or warning of damnation. He was the self-styled “Cool Ruler”, the “lonely lover”. He was not a political man, either, at least not in his songs. He was a lover, interested in women, and, seemingly, little else. This is not to the detriment of his material - it was a kind of roots rhythms meets the burgeoning “lovers rock” genre of light, romantic tuneful songs. It was, to be honest, a breath of fresh air, after all that consciousness, Armagideon and crucial, speaker-pounding dub.
Night Nurse is very well known, of course. An insistent, synth drum but appealing backing and a sensual, pleading vocal for Gregory’s nurse to treat him - “there’s a patient by the name of Gregory…”. Stranger In Town is an entrancing introduction to the “lonely lover” persona. Beautifully sung and gentle, lilting rhythms washing over you.
Objection Overruled is one of my all time reggae favourites. Gregory’s voice is timeless, mournful yet hopeful, classic in its delivery. The backing is proper reggae and a melodious keyboard sound pushing the song along. Just a masterpiece of “ain’t to proud to beg” plaintive, pleading from a rejected lover.
The highly appealing Cool Down The Pace and Sad To Know are both heart-wrenching servings of lovers rock. Material Man and the lovelorn Not The Way are all fantastic, I have to say. The quality continues with the impossibly melodic laid back skank of Hot Stepper.
Again, this is lovers rock material but with a seriously crucial, bassy “riddim”. Such a wonderful, summery album. You just can’t play this in November, really. I am playing it now on a sunny Saturday morning at the end of June. All is one with the world.
More recommended albums from Gregory in the same easy-going style are -
The Lonely Lover - 1980Red Rose For Gregory - 1988
More Gregory - 1981
