Anthony Cruz has just released his fifth studio album on his own Shan Shan label. This pretty young singer was born and raised in the music business, for he's the cousin of Garnett Silk, who hails from a musical family himself.
He's already scored many a hit, the best-known of which are without a doubt 'Halfway Tree', 'Too Bloody', with Buju Banton on the Hard Drug riddim, and 'No Guns Inna Dance'. His new album continues in the same vein as these classics: a well-balanced mixture of pure lovers rock and rub-a-dub dancehall.
The album is named after the track 'Inna Di Dance', a tribute to dancehall on the Banjo riddim, produced by Stone Love Sound's Wee-Pow. 'Weekend' is another party song, preferably played on a Friday evening after work to get into the right mood. 'One Step Ahead' and 'Don't Test Wi' are a bit harder and tailor-made for the sound system. On album closer 'Get Out The Music', Anthony Cruz is assisted by Macka Diamond, who this time, contrary to how this rude gal normally sounds, sings exceptionally softly.
There's quite a lot of lovers music on this LP: the outstanding 'Gold', released a couple of years ago on the Police In Helicopter riddim, and also 'Everytime U Go'. The role of crooner suits Cruz down to the ground. He controls his vocals perfectly. Just listen to his delightful duet with Luciano on the 'Spécial Fête Des Mères', 'I Won't Wait', in which both singers blend their voices in call-and-response games. Finally, the more self-assured one-drop riddim '(Jah) Watch Over Me' is also worthy of notice.
Anthony Cruz is a voice that is still being ignored by a lot of reggae fans, but if they listen to this album, they will definitely have to revise their opinion.
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