Sugar Minott - Leave Out A Babylon

Sugar Minott - Leave Out A Babylon (Discograph) DGCD 81108 (2003)

I bought this CD because it was advertised, on a popular reggae website, as a "return to roots" and a "return to form" for Sugar. Given the quality of Sugar's roots material from his days at Studio One and his own Black Roots and Youthman Promotion labels, it seemed like a sure bet and a must buy. After the first couple of listens, I was frankly disappointed. Instead of getting some hard roots rhythms from late 70s and 80s, I heard some unfamiliar tunes with some unique, non-traditional arrangements. So, not wanting to give up on this release, I decided to leave it alone for a few days and see if my mind would change.

A few days later I threw this CD in the player and listened again. This time, it began to make sense to me, and the arrangements and songs did not seem so foreign. First, this CD does not really sound like Sugar's early roots or dancehall albums. However, it does have the "spirit" of those albums in the sense that the music provides a backdrop for Sugar's reality lyrics. The backing tracks, played by musicians based in France, sound new and fresh. The arrangements are also more modern in that they are not the dense dancehall sounds of earlier times. At first, I admit, I was upset because I am a fan of that dancehall sound. However, one should not be afraid of new things and after getting over the shock, I was able to appreciate what the new sound brought to the experience of listening to this recording.

However, with any Sugar Minott recording, the best part is his voice. One of the smoothest singers in the history of JA, Sugar glides, almost without effort, over these tracks. Overall, a true return to form with some new, exciting Sugar Minott material for all to enjoy. This is definitely a must have.