Search - Various Artists :: Sweet Love 3

If you think American "dirty dancing" is hot, check the erotic "rub-a-dub" action of Jamaican couples slow dancing to reggae lover's-rock style. In fact, this third installation in VP Records' annual lover's-rock collection makes such a perfect soundtrack to safe-sex dancehall action that it naturally leads you to all the right moves. Typically, most of these tracks cover R&B hits, slowing them to tropical tempo via reggae's signature "one-drop" drum pattern and leaving it to the singers to add extra Jamaican spice. "Lover's rock" has fallen out of favor in recent years, and the current generation of lover's-rock singers lacks the conviction of the reggae love magicians of the '70s and '80s, most of whom penned their own, indelible lover's-rock anthems. While relative newcomer Glen Washington commits vocal robbery on the great Beres Hammond in a cover of "Consider Me," Fiona violates Aretha's "Natural Woman," and Joy White should retire, the compilation's integrity is somewhat restored by Pam Hall's exquisitely feminine rendition of "My Heart Will Go On," Mikey Spice's luxurious baritone, and two splendidly interpreted originals courtesy of reggae vet Jimmy Riley, all of whom sing it like they mean it. --Elena Oumano