Heartbeat / Pgd
1999
Rootsman Credential
About This Album
Everton Blender is one of the top roots reggae singers on the scene as of late 1999, when this album was released. He's also a fine producer, as this effort demonstrates -- self-produced albums aren't as common in reggae as they are in other genres, and he acquits himself nicely here with the assistance of multi-instrumentalist Daddy Marshall (and, on a few tracks, session stars like guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith and the legendary drummer Sly Dunbar). Marshall's digital rhythms power a program of Everton originals that range in style from the lovers rock of "Slick Me Slick" to strictly cultural dancehall numbers like "Bingi Man a Come" and "I Love Jah Jah" (I never said the songs were original, just that they're good). Blender sings in a strong, chesty tenor voice spiced up with the occasional Michael Rose-ish ululation, and if his range isn't especially great, he manages to use what's available to him very effectively on tracks like "Weeping Eyes" and the admonitory "These Hands." Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
Track List (try tracks 2,3 and 9)

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