In Good Company

Dread, Marty – In Good Company (a Duets Collection)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 9/28/06
Hawaiian reggae; major Hawaiian reggae artist teams up with some Jamaican and Hawaiian artists – and Willie Nelson. Some of the cuts are too commercially produced and sappy, but there are several standouts.
No FCCs. 12 and 16 are terrific.
1. ***dubby midtempo roots rock about the crystal meth problem in Hawaii. Great production by Mad Professor.
2. *extremely smooth, laid back bubble about war resistance, duet with Willie Nelson.
3. *downtempo acoustic guitar based folky sound with dancehall rap by Anthony B. Rather startling combination.
4. downtempo smooth modern soul about drug problems. Very commercial sounding, which is a shame because it could be a hard-hitting song otherwise.
5. ***somewhat uptempo roots rock swingy skank with some toasting.
6. *somewhate downtempo lover’s rock skank with a female singer and some toasting. Sweet love song.
7. *midtempo roots skank, sad love song with lots of male harmonies.
8. **slow intro, downtempo roots skank with another Hawaiian reggae star, definite overtones of Pacific island music. Rather odd raps.
9. ***midtempo roots bubble with Junior Reid. Cool music, lyrics and vocals.
10. smooth and creamy commercial-sounding midtempo love duet.
11. **smooth midtempo relaxed groove, redeemed almost entirely by Willie Nelson singing “I get my oxygen from the air” – how you not gonna like that?
12. ****downtempo skank with a cool bounce and fun rap by Tony Moses.
13. **midtempo bubble with lots of dubby bits and sweet vocals.
14. smooth modern R&B mix with nice vocals and rap by Fyah Wyah, but the production is just too gooey.
15. ***luau music! Midtempo bouncy skank with Hawaiian guitar and some nice drums.
16. ****dub of already dubby track 1. Dub is good.
17. ***dub of track 7 by Scientist – much better in dub!
18. ***dubby live love duet – music is excellent.