JoJo Gladstone - JoJo (Holliwood Records)

Unfortunately JoJo didn't realise an album release also needs something for the eye, resulting in a sleeve that's more reminiscent of the release of a Dutch crooner singer than of a reggae album. So much for the bad news, as backed by the Soul Proff All Stars Squad (Roots Creation members Pim Kokkeler, Wouter 'Redsteppa' Slegt, Aron 'Jah Bird' Tekle on guitar, bass and percussion, complemented with Leo Eppink on keys and Asham Band's Wim 'Radics' Verbruggen on drums) JoJo delivers a debut album at times sounding like a forgotten gem from the golden nineteen seventies, on which he alternates with ease between conscious tracks like opener 'Judge Them Judge', the excellent 'Welfare People' or 'Only Jah Love', and Gregory Isaacs-influenced lovers tunes like instant-classic 'Glad That I Found You', 'True Character' or 'Original Lover', all over self-produced riddims which might just as well have come from Roots Radics themselves (thanks to mentors Earl Cunningham and Trevor 'King Bassa' Elliott). So forget that butt ugly sleeve and give this album a chance, it might well turn out to be one of the absolute revelations for 2018. Respect due to JoJo & Soul Proff All Stars Squad!