Contagious

Personnel: Glen Browne (chant); Steven "Cat" Coore (guitar, cello); B. Fletcher (guitar, keyboards, drum programming); Lamont "Monty Rankin" Savory, Lincoln Thomas, Robert Browne, Mitchum Chin (guitar); Peter Ashbourne (violin); Dean Fraser (horns, percussion, background vocals); Dwight Richards, Ronald "Nambo" Robinson, Herman Marquis, Tommy McCook, Vin Gordon, Bobby Ellis (horns); Curtis Lynch, Jr., Kevon Webster, Andrew Marsh, Carol "Bowie" McLauglin, Steven "Lenky" Marsden (keyboards); Denver Smith, Sydney "Congo Billy" Watson (drums, percussion); Chris Downer, Calvin Mitchell, Iran Richard, Keith Maroghini, Sean Darson, Santa, Paul Kastick, Sly Dunbar, Kirk Bennett (drums); Joel Chin, Alvin Haughton (percussion); Duane Stephenson, Althea Layne Hamilton, Conradine Campbell, Chris Smith , Akilah Riley, Chevaughn Clayton, Sherita Lewis, Connie Campbell, Sharpe Sherida, Althea Layne, Nicky Burt (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Collin "Bulbie" York; Errol Brown ; Monei Lemar; Stephen Stanley; Joel Chin; Rohan Dwyer; Shane Brown; Steven Stanley .
Recording information: Grafton Recording Studio; Penthouse Studio, JA; Tuff Gong Recording Studio.
Editors: Paul Shields; Joel Chin.
Introduction by: Joe Lickshot.
Photographer: Marvin Bartley.
It's a minor problem, but if there's a complaint to be made about Tarrus Riley's 2009 effort CONTAGIOUS, it's that his previous effort, PARABLES, has a much better layout. The crowding together of redundant numbers and the uneven flow experienced here make CONTAGIOUS feel more like a collection of songs than a fully thought-out album, but they are great songs for the most part, performed in that dignified, warm, rasta manner that has made Riley a favorite of the new roots set. "Living the Life of a Gun" is a wonderfully smooth alternative to Anthony B. or Sizzla's social commentary, and when a children's choir enhances the moving prayer "Let Peace Reign," Riley skillfully moves into Wyclef's territory with elaborate arrangements hung on grand statements. The lovers numbers are just as good, if not better, this time out with a sensual take on Michael Jackson's hit "Human Nature" and the yearning "Love's Contagious"--based on Marley's "Coming in from the Cold" riddim--competing for the top spot. PARABLES remains a better introduction, but taken on a track-by-track level, Riley delivers his high-grade material with such grace and passion that CONTAGIOUS is well worth the bit of patience it requires.