Love You More

Recording information: Penthouse studio.
Editor: Donald Clive Davidson.
Being that pillow talk and ballads are this romantic reggae singer's calling card, Sanchez has always been remembered best for his singles. Save a stray gospel album, his full-length efforts vary little and newcomers are often best served by hits collections, but with two decades under his belt, he's begun to take the format more seriously. Like his previous effort, 2010's Now & Forever, this 2011 release continues his relationship with producer Donovan Germain and Penthouse Productions, although this time the focus is put on cover versions. Some of the choices are rather bold, too, such as Teddy Pendergrass' signature song "Love TKO," which Sanchez turns into something softer, something he can call his own. Teddy's "In My Time" is here too, along with other greats from the R&B songbook like the Isley Brothers' "Caravan of Love" plus the Spinners' "How Could I Let You Get Away" which was a bigger hit in Jamaica than its flipside, "I'll Be Around." The singer delivers these classics with love and purpose, and gives equal care to the more obscure selections like L.J. Reynolds "Tell Me You Will" and the Temptations "More Love, Your Love." Putting some muscle into Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" makes for a fine closer with a one-drop riddim, and suddenly, Sanchez the singles artist has evolved into Sanchez the album master with this conceptually sound, nostalgia-themed success. ~ David Jeffries