Sweetness

12 TRACKS: 1) Sweetness 2) Double Trouble 3) Step Aside 4) Preacherman 5) Sugar You Want 6) Come Back Home 7) One Dance 8) I'm So In Love 9) Putting Up Resistance (with U Roy) 10) Tight Situation 11) You Could A Deal (with Cutty Ranks) 12) Move Along

Beres Hammond's picture should be found alongside the dictionary definition of the word smooth. His sensual voice and persuasive delivery turns grown women into little girls. The man is no joke and Sweetness is the record of choice for fans of the artist's special brand of lover's rock. The album contained all-new material when originally released but might as well have been labeled an instant greatest-hits collection. There are no false notes to be found; the ladies' lover man is in top form. Opening with the title track, he offers up back-to-back-to-back classics, gliding through "Double Trouble" and "Step Aside." "Preacherman" breaks off from the love talk to tackle some serious issues, but afterwards it's back to affairs of the heart. Of special note to serious collectors of reggae music, Sweetness includes "Come Back Home," arguably the best song the artist has ever recorded. --Rebecca Levine