A nifty little album of lovers rock,
Beres Hammond is as unassuming as its title and steady throughout, with
Beres Hammond's wise, soulful singing giving these songs a tremendous sincerity. Recorded in 1992 and produced by guitarist
Willie Lindo, the album features some impressive backup, including
the Tamlins on harmonies,
Gladstone Anderson on piano, horn man
Dean Fraser, the
Sly & Robbie rhythm section, and guitarist
Dwight Pinkney. Highlights include "Teeny Weeny Little Lovin'" (kind of a dumb title, but the song works in spite of it), "Lovely Day," and "If Only I Knew," although everything here has the same no-frills, comfortable appeal, all driven by
Hammond's easy, subtle phrasing. No one in Jamaica sings love songs better than this man. ~ Steve Leggett