Cornell Campbell - Sweet Baby (1978) [LP Reissue 2021]

The album was released in 1978 with Linval Thompson taking the production credits while the riddims are played by the likes of Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Winston Wright, and Skully, who were the cream of the crop. This combination implies that quality is assured! A year later the album resurfaced on the Micron imprint as Superstar and in 1983 it was Vista Sounds who released it once again. Now Burning Sounds reissues the 1978 set on high-quality 180g vinyl, with the original artwork.

Any reggae fan knows that Cornell’s vocal delivery is ideal for singing about themes of the heart. On this album, he does just that, except for the last tune which sees him singing about the judgment that has come. A flawless roots song that will stir your soul. The catchy opening track Blinded By Love is an ideal piece for Cornell, because of the theme of the heartbroken man who, blinded by love, has been cheated on by his lover. The title song is characterized by a surprisingly swinging horns arrangement.

Jamaican artists have always covered or transformed American r&b and soul tunes with considerable success. This album is no exception to that rule as it features a few covers of rock-solid US soul classics. Probably the least known tune is Just Enough, a small hit for soul singer Joe Simon. Cornell’s version is on par with the original. On the other hand, we find Sam Cooke’s world hit, Darling You Send Me, which Cornell covers seemingly effortlessly in an appropriate way. Gonna Take A Miracle is a song often covered by Jamaican artists. Ken Boothe’s 1970s version for Leslie Kong is one of the most popular versions of this song, but Cornell covers this tearjerker with class and adds his own attractive twist.