Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Although this four-song EP was released in 2004 it's only now in 2024 that I've got to hear it or indeed any of the music of reggae gospel man U-Cal, who back then was living not in Kingston, Jamaica, but in Thornton Heath, Surrey. The voice of Mr Henry is OK, but his compositions, on this project at least, are banal and the lyric of the opener "Smile Your Sorrows Away" has the kind of happy clappy sentiment that I thought had died out with the passing of old school Pentecostalism. Production by one Lewis M at his London studio is rudimentary too and though three sisters - Zehra, Esther and Aye Sagnak - do their best with some unison oohs and aahs the overall effect of this one remains distinctly underwhelming.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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