BARRINGTON LEVY
barrington
(MCA)

This originally ran in the St. Louis Post Dispatch in 1993.

Barrington Levy's debut release on MCA records is an obvious attempt to attract a wider, or more precisely American, market. This premiere vocalist has radically altered his reggae style, instead offering an eclectic mix of tracks far removed from his roots.

It's apparent that major record companies still don't feel that "real" reggae will sell in America, consequently they commercialize and change the sounds of these talented Jamaicans. Even though this latest release once again displays Levy's captivating vocals, the shift in musical direction is as drastic as it gets.

Some of the tunes, most notably the latin-tinged "Be Strong" as well as the ballad "Vice Versa Love," are exceptional. The power pop of "Survival" and the updates of "Under Me Sensi" and "Strange" also work. But other tracks, although nice and catchy, are soft and predictable. And "Murderer" is a painful rap rendition of one of his all-time reggae classics.

Is the musical turnaround internal or is it more likely pressure from MCA who have spent considerable amounts on this gifted singer. Regardless, it's a shame that Levy's major label debut couldn't have been more dynamic and focused. With "Barrington," Levy may indeed pick up a broader audience, but it will surely come at the expense of his true fans.





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