Love Divine (Heartbeat, 1989)

It's refreshing to hear good old-fashioned reggae originating as late as 1989. This material sounds as much like '70s as it does '80s, except for the occasional harder, more dancehall-influenced beat.  I suppose I should call this just "old-fashioned reggae" instead of "good old-fashioned reggae," since it's not that good.  However, it's not bad either.  None of the songs are great, but it is overall a very listenable, relaxing album with a light, lovers-oriented sound.  The Tamlins are probably best known for their Sly & Robbie collaborations "Baltimore" and "Go Away Dream," but the Riddim Twins are nowhere to be found here, and so the trio (Carlton Smith, Derrick Lara, and Junior Moore) must fend for themselves.  They fall back on a couple of remakes -- The Techniques' "Love Is Not a Gamble" and their own "Ting a Ling," each done unspectacularly but competently.   Another cover meanwhile -- that of Sade's "Hang on to Your Love" -- is the only truly poor tack on Love Divine.  The best cuts are the lovers tunes "All Because of You" and "Squeengie Weengie Love" (yes, that's the title), while "She Likes It Like That" and the title track are OK as well.