Down By the River (VP, 2000)

This one-rhythm album features the festive music from The Cables' Studio One hit "What Kind of World," made popular once again in 2000 by Morgan Heritage's hymn-like "Down By the River," which was featured on Reggae Gold 2000 and the superb compilation Universal Message.  Tunes like Sanchez's "Pretty Girl" and Freddie McGregor's "I See It in You" have likewise ridden this riddim to success, but all in all, Down By the River exemplifies why I generally shy away from one-rhythm albums.  The music is beat into your head over and over again, making this sound like a 60-minute medley.  Furthermore, beyond the Morgan Heritage and Freddie McGregor tunes, the material is disappointingly bland in comparison, the highlights including Mikey General's "Children of Zion," Mikey Spice's "Forever and Ever," and Ano Harris' "Free."

Track Listing
1. I See It in You -- Freddie McGregor
2. Last Night Memory -- Nadine Sutherland
3. More Time -- Glen Washington
4. No More Lonely Nights -- Fiona
5. Pretty Girl -- Sanchez
6. Thank You For -- Karen Smith
7. Missing You -- Anthony Cruz
8. She Will Never -- Ebony
9. Down By the River -- Morgan Heritage
10. Love Is the Key -- Jimmy Riley
11. Forever and Ever -- Mikey Spice
12. You Are My Reason -- Lukie D
13. Free -- Ano Harris
14. Mr. Saxman -- Dean Fraser
15. Children of Zion -- Mikey General
16. Bless You -- Tolga