Jimmy Cliff

Humanitarian (Eureka)

Stepping back into the reggae scene after a five-year hiatus, Jimmy Cliff, better known as the Reggae Ambassador, releases his latest infusion of pop-reggae tunes. After firmly establishing himself at the forefront of the reggae movement with well-known artists like Bob Marley, Cliff also broke into the younger pop scene with hits like Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now." Leaning more towards pop than his previous albums, his most recent collection of songs speaks of brotherhood and genuine heartfelt peace, and encourages the listener to rediscover the better side of human nature. Empowering tracks such as "Rise Up" and "Giants" invite the listener to "rise up rise up and seize the time." Also featured on the album are an excellent reggae-pop version of the Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" and a slower, slightly more rhythmic version of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend." These two bonus tracks "fit in with the theme of the album, which is love," Cliff explains in a press release. Cliff's sincere message of omnipresent love, whether it be the love of family, nature or life, reaches out to the listener via his earnest vocals and powerful voice. As he sings of unity and peace inspired by events occurring back home in Jamaica, Cliff lives up to his album's title.

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-Kelley Morrell