Gregory Isaacs

Shortly before his sudden death in 1999, Dennis Brown recorded an album of Gregory Isaacs tunes, titled simply Dennis Brown Sings Gregory Isaacs, that only saw release in 2003. It was an uneven recording but a poignant one, considering not only Brown's death but the long relationship that the two singers shared, best illustrated by the album they recorded together in 1984, Judge Not. So it's fitting that Isaacs should record an album of Brown's best-loved songs. Isaacs, who produced the album, took the tribute a little further, though, using many of the same backing musicians as Brown used, including Roots Radic Flabba Holt and keyboard player Wrong Move. Isaacs approaches the material with a good amount of reverence and serves up nice versions of classic Brown tunes, including "Money in My Pocket," "Wolves and Leopards," and great versions of both "Love and Hate" and "The Prophet Rides Again." It might not be the place to start with either Isaacs or Brown, but it's a terrific tribute and worth a listen by anyone familiar with these two reggae heavyweights. ~ Wade Kergan, All Music Guide