The only thing I could do here is simply to repeat the title of this just issued Gregory Isaacs album - “Cool Ruler Come Again”. It has been more than six years that Isaacs is no more among us, but his humongous musical output (more than 500 album titles only they say ) just keeps on growing. Of course, unless you have a Gregory Isaacs obsession, you can’t, and you don’t need to have it all. Some of it is not that good anyway. So, what about this new album just of the presses (or downloads)?
To cut things short, “Cool Ruler Come Again” goes on to prove why Isaacs was given the nickname and show that it is no wonder he was proclaimed the king of lovers rock. His mellifluous vocals were never a problem. The Isaacs came up with a sub-par product it was either the uninspired backing or bad choice of material. Neither is evident here.
If you would change the order of songs on this album it would not make any difference, nor would it make any difference if you played this material in the dancehall or your living room (although the bedroom would be more appropriate). Gregory’s voice shines as usual, and luckily for all, so does the backing and the material.
I remember seeing Isaacs in the Kilimanjaro club in Washington DC some 20 years ago. It was a bit hard to hear, and particularly see Gregory and the band from that “certain” smoke for which Kilimanjaro’s ventilation system (if there was one) had no solution. But Gregory’s voice did cut through and that was the solution.
Here, again, he has the solution for any lover’s worries, and it is a good one. It is great to be reminded how good he was.
