Peace & Love (Joe Gibbs 21st Century, 1998)

*GUEST REVIEW*
Eric Donaldson is one of my favourites. His reedy falsetto never fails to capture my attention. He is loved across the Caribbean and is played frequently throughout Africa. In fact, his single "Cherry Oh Baby" is accepted as Jamaica's best-selling LP. Surprisingly, I find his studio albums very hard to come by. However, if you should every be so lucky as to stumble accross Peace and Love, buy it. The album showcases some, albiet not all, of Donaldson's best work. Given the extremity of his voice (just listen and you'll know what I mean), it is not hard to imagine some people being turned off by the sound. But accept it, and you are in for a treat. There is not a weak track on the album. The songs are great, ranging from the sad "Give Me Back" and the pious "Holy And Free" to the cheery "Can't Catch Me Again.""Young and Reckless" is another great track on the album. Donaldson manages to capture the magic of youth without overlooking its often fleeting loss:

I am young, reckless, coming straight from the forest.
Said me young and me green and me single,
So don't you take my tomorrow today.

The album should be looked out for. In fact, any of Donaldson's albums should be sought. His is a voice that needs to be heard.

- Enrique Wedgwood Young