Jamaica's elder statesman of lovers ballads procures another patented, soulful recipe on Music Is Life. One of only a few living reggae legends, the unassuming Hammond has the power to transform any listening environment into a contemplative Caribbean getaway. Hammond's effortless delivery and near flawless vocal quality call to mind an atmosphere of swaying palm trees, cool blue water, and overall positive vibrations. His enduring Jamaican hit of 2000, "They Gonna Talk," is as calmly groovy as it is heartfelt. The more up-tempo "Dance for Me" pairs Beres with one of his devoted aficionados, Wyclef Jean, in a near facsimile of Wyclef's crossover duet with Santana, "Maria, Maria." While Hammond is a clear virtuoso of rocksteady and lovers reggae, he also demonstrates versatility on this offering. The more bittersweet ballads, "Mary, Mary" and "Angel Eyes," are haunting as well as eloquent. But, the pièce de résistance may be "Gonna Shine Again," a low-tempo track teeming with heart-wrenching emotion. Hammond takes traditional roots flavors and transposes them just enough to satisfy purists and new listeners alike. The resulting formula is soothing, accessible, and thought-provoking reggae music. ~ M.F. DiBella, All Music Guide
Music Is Life
02/06/2001 | Vp Records
All Music Guide Review
Music Is Life Track Listing
Credits of Music Is Life
- Robert Lyn
- Keyboards, Overdubs
- David Madden
- Horn
- Sydney Mills
- Drums
- Robert Murphy
- Engineer
- Dwight Pinkney
- Guitar
- Nambo Robinson
- Horn
- Style Scott
- Drums
- Anthony Selassie
- Engineer
- Robbie Shakespeare
- Bass
- Earl "Chinna" Smith
- Guitar
- Steven Stanley
- Mixing Engineer
- Nadine Sutherland
- Harmony
- Karl Toppin
- Producer, Mixing Engineer
- Collin "Bulbie" York
- Producer, Mixing Engineer
- Christopher Birch
- Keyboards
- Wyclef Jean
- Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Leroy Champaign
- Design Direction
- Paul Shields
- Mastering
- James Goring
- Project Coordinator
- Dwight Dawes
- Keyboards
- Howard Messam
- Horn, Saxophone
- Dorette Wisdom
- Harmony
- Fernando Rosario
- Guitar
- Rolando Wilson
- Drums
- Nicola Tucker
- Harmony
- Robert Angus
- Guitar
- Mervis Walsh
- Associate Executive Producer
- Anders Jones
- Photography
- Cortez Farris
- Mixing
- Beres Hammond
- Percussion, Main Performer, Executive Producer, Harmony
- Pam Hall
- Performer
- Winston Bowen
- Guitar
- Philip "Fatis" Burrell
- Producer
- Paul Crosdale
- Organ, Keyboards
- Donald Dennis
- Bass
- Lloyd Denton
- Keyboards
- Sly Dunbar
- Drums
- Fatta
- Producer
- Lynford "Fatta" Marshall
- Producer, Engineer, Mixing Engineer
- Michael Fletcher
- Bass
- Flourgon
- Vocals
- Dean Fraser
- Horn, Sax (Tenor)
- Brian & Tony Gold
- Harmony
- Tony Gold
- Harmony
- Flabba Holt
- Bass, Percussion




















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