CHOKEY TAYLOR sports a sunny smile on the jacket of the Sunshine Reggae and he has a right to, as his expression matches the title and quality of the 15-track set.
The music at the start of the first track, The Wedding Song (It's All About You), establishes the sound of the album right away, with rapid, somewhat light drums, a rapid guitar and synths, putting it a few degrees south of UB40.
The few aberrations come late in the album with a more rockers-type sound on Catch Dis Vibe, Marlana. The latter starts with the second verse of I Like It, which comes in the top half of the album. The Dub is well ... dub.
While a deeper tone on the line "that's all I ask of you" in Sunshine Reggae and a falsetto on "don't be afraid of the wolf back" as he borrows from Marley on Rasta Chant establish that Taylor has extensive vocal range, he employs a pleasant, even tone on most of the songs.
The harmony does not hurt at all, either.
In fact, the harmony gets major billing on the title track, Sunshine Reggae; at times Taylor relinquishing overt lead singer duties to blend in well with the harmony singers.
ROCKING REMAKES
And the musicianship plays a strong role, the guitar providing a quiet start to the well-known song.
It is not the only remake on the album, as Fever gets a rockers treatment.
Chokey Taylor gives up lead duties to Serena Tai on Mr. Marley, and he is credited with piano, as he is for synthesiser as well for most of the album.
I Like It and Marlena feed on each other, being about the same woman. Taylor goes into personal hardship with Catch This Vibe and asks for (what else?) room for reggae to be heard in Leggo Reggae.
The short musical interlude is credited to him, so his musical ability comes through.
The ability of the other musicians contributes significantly to keeping the sound of the album consistent. Among them are Lincoln Thomas and Scott Lang on guitar, Dobson and Robert 'Bucket' Bowen on bass, Mark the Ark on drums, Sheldon Bernard and Hal Clarke on piano and José Oximendi on cello (in Fever).
Much of those good background vocals come from Cheryl Clarke, and Sunshine Reggae is a Starfire production.
Track listing
1. The Wedding Song (It's All About You)
2. Sunshine Reggae
3. Liberty
4. Give Them a Hand
5. I Like It
6. Interlude
7. Rasta Chant
8. Lemon-Aide
9. Fever
10. Mr. Marley
11. Catch Dis Vibe
12. Marlana
13. Dub
14. Runningman
15. Leggo Reggae
- M.C.
