Garnett Silk: Gold - 1993

This is a compilation of the best of this fine singer's work. Silk was a cross between roots, rock steady, romantic lovers rock and accessible dancehall. 

His material had a bit of a digital beat but also featured saxophones and brass breaks and catchy upbeat skanks. His voice was clear and mellifluous and he sang as opposed to toasted or rapped. For late eighties/early nineties reggae it is mightily enjoyable and pleasing on the ear. 

The standout tracks are his biggest hit Hello Africa, the Patches sampling Mama, the Rastafarian Zion In A Vision, the soulful dancey groove of Gave You Everything and a couple more Rasta cuts in Fill Us Up With Your Mercy and Passing Judgement. The laid-back and once more soulful Let's All Spread Love is great too. Check out the lovely, bassy Rasta vibe of Jah Jah Is The Ruler. Silk could do effective Rasta/roots when he wanted to as well as romance. Lionheart saw him doing dancehall/ragga too. 

Actually, all the stuff on here is pretty good and eminently listenable, standing as some of the best of late eighties/early nineties reggae. I really like it and the sound quality is excellent too, really showing off the basslines at their best.

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