ZINC FENCE RECORD OF THE WEEK

Your Love Is My Love

Terry Linen

Dennis Brown was always a past master at taking a soul tune or pop tune from foreign and turning it into something deeper and a little bit darker. With the death of reggae's Crown Prince, who will do that now?

Back in the 60s and 70s, JA music always excelled at taking a soul tune or pop tune from foreign, no matter how bland, and transforming it into something edgier and darker. But for quite a while JA music has been dominated either by dancehall or roots. What's happened to the lovers? For some time now it's been left to the UK. Well, here comes a classic slice of JA lovers rock from the under recorded Terry Linen to turn all that around.

The original version by Whitney Houston is a notable tune in its own right with lyrics which are beautiful and moving. But Terry Linen invests it with something really special. His voice is haunting and strong and he has that ability to take his time with a musical phrase and make it his own which is reminiscent of Dennis Brown at his very best. The production is pure class and it's no surprise to see Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare on the credits alongside Gitsy, Jazzwad and Dean Fraser.

Already a smash hit on 7" pre in Jamaica and the UK, Your Love is My Love will without doubt be topping the reggae charts throughout the summer and beyond. But if ever a reggae record deserved to go on and be a massive crossover hit in the national charts, this is the one. Reggae music has never been properly promoted to a mass audience outside of Jamaica and if this great record can't bust it outside the reggae community, then something is seriously the matter.

 

PREVIOUS RECORDS OF THE WEEK

Mr Vegas-When The Cock Crow

Danny Browne's All Purpose rhythm

Lauryn Hill- Lost Ones (yard remix)

REVIEWS

HOME