Garnett Silk - Gold [Jet Star]

That Richard Bell overseen masterpiece was a heart-felt love letter to the continent, the Donovan German "Lion Heart" is an epistle to Jah, capturing Silk on the cusp of his shift from toasting to singing. The album is stuffed with such cultural classics, cut for a variety of different producers.

King Jammy oversaw the gorgeous prayer of "Fill Us Up with Your Mercy", Maurice "Jack Scorpio" Johnson the exquisite "Zion in a Vision", and Bobby "Digital" Dixon the storming "The Rod", where Silk brings the God's words to the massive through reggae music.

The singer would also cut "Judge Not" for Digital, that's not here, but another equally cut version, "Passing Judgement", overseen by Morris "Super" Johnson and Peter Chemist is. "Necessity", in full American styled RB, also provides life lessons, "Let's All Spread Love" takes a unity message down a similarly themed path.

Love songs light up the rest of the set, with the most magnificent a tribute to Silk's "Mama", an exuberant,

heartfelt hit overseen by Courtney Cole. And love is everywhere, "It's Growing" by the minute, and that sublime hit, titled the singer's Digital produced, debut album; another masterpiece. "Love Me Baby" was bouncier, but just as infectious, as was the Danny Browne produced "Oh Me Oh My", another love strewn hit. Silk surely "Gave You Everything".

Every number here is a winner, the backings superb, the arrangements expertly enhancing the themes and Silk's vocals, the productions top notch. This isn't all the Silk you need, but it's a great place to start.

- Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide