In the early 1990s, American audiences came to know
Inner Circle primarily for "Bad Boys," the theme from the hit television series Cops. But in fact,
Circle had been recording quality reggae since the mid-1970s, when the Jamaican band sounded much different from what you'll hear on
Da Bomb -- a highly commercial effort that has little sociopolitical content and liberally incorporates elements of pop, dancehall and urban contemporary.
Circle had grown slicker and slicker over the years, and reggae purists who fondly recall its sociopolitical 1970s output probably won't have much use for this
Steel Pulse-like CD. But while
Circle's early recordings are still its best, lighthearted tunes like "I Love Girls," "We A Rockers" and "Tell Me" are fairly catchy. Though by no means essential,
Da Bomb makes for fun, escape-oriented listening. ~ Alex Henderson