Hold You - Single

Album Review

You’d think they would be a patient bunch, but fans of that reggae genre called lover's rock are surprisingly impatient, willing to declare you finished if you spend 12 months off the radio. When Gyptian spent most of 2009 off the charts, the chatter began, but his romantic and rather sexual (you’ll have to speak Jamaican patois to catch it all) hit, “Hold You,” was a massive return, not only in his homeland but in the usually reggae-shy U.S. where it made an impact on urban radio. Hold You, the album, is filled with worthy follow-ups and support material, all of it performed in that cool, almost woozy, and almost whiney style Gyptian is known for, although he does sound more confident and in control than usual. Maybe this is the reason the album tries a little harder when it comes to its overall construction, as intros, interludes, and even an instrumental help link these prime cuts for an even bigger experience. Longtime fans may notice that “Beautiful Lady” from his 2006 debut album is back, probably to introduce all the new, international fans to the near perfect cut. Veterans can skip it and still be left with a substantial set of tunes while newcomers can consider it a welcome bonus, adding value to what’s already the singer’s strongest album to date.