What You Need (Ruff Stuff, 2000)

Carlton Pride is the son of country legend Charlie Pride and for one reason or another has chosen to pursue a musical career in reggae. Unfortunately, based on this album, he may not have "what you need" if you're looking for good reggae. The music on What You Need is solid -- Pride enlists reggae veterans like Dean Fraser, Bongo Herman, and Clive Hunt, plus Pam Hall on backing vocals -- but Pride's goofy, overly expressive voice comes off as too happy for his own good. His father has a much better voice, which he shows off on a cover of his own "Kiss an Angel Good Morning," but even the elder Pride's resonant country twang isn't suited for reggae. Bubbly, lightweight reggae in and of itself isn't necessarily a bad thing -- indeed, the bouncy vibes of "Crying of the Lion," "Utopia," and the title track lend an air of fun -- but on the whole, What You Need just doesn't work. Pride's faux accent and strained singing sound forced, as if he's trying too hard to to fit into what he thinks reggae should sound like (Breaking into "The Banana Boat Song" on "Ya Zuaka" doesn't help.). Still, there are some catchy hooks on What You Need, and if Pride settles into a more palatable vocal groove, he's at least got something to work with here.