Glen Washington is one of an elite group of singers who’ve not only kept Jamaica’s vocal tradition alive during the dancehall era, but also significantly added to it by writing and performing new classics of their own.

Hailing from the Jamaican parish of Clarendon, Glen was a drummer before singing his breakthrough hit, Rockers Nuh Crackers, for producer Joe Gibbs back in 1976. After leaving for Canada, he toured with artists like Shinehead before making his comeback as a solo act during the mid-nineties. Acclaim for his soulful vocals and timeless songs soon followed as hits such as Jah Glory, Down Low, Open Your Eyes, Number One Girl and Kindness For Weakness spread news of his musical rebirth far and wide.

You can find any number of these earlier hits on Jet Star’s Reggae Max set, but it’s this new studio recording that’s making waves right now, and that’ll enshrine his reputation for a good while longer yet. Recorded at studios in Hollywood and London under the watchful gaze of Danny Ray, The Right Road now ranks among the finest works of his career as he stamps his unmistakable presence on a stunning selection of roots and lovers material all of it written by Glen himself, and played by a topflight assortment of musicians, including Sly & Robbie, Jazwad, Mafia & Fluxy, Computer Paul and members of the Ruff Cutt and Ras Ites’ bands.

Like most universally minded Jamaican artists raised on a steady diet of reggae, gospel and r&b, he draws no distinction between love in its spiritual or secular forms. Both have their origins in the grace of God and whilst his lyrics may sound utopian in places, they’re rooted in the personal, affirmative action of someone who’s had the courage to turn their life around, no matter the distractions or what others may say. On To Be Like Him, Glen admits to being “just another wayward traveller” before the blessings came, and such honesty is typical of how he bares his soul, both in the vocal and lyrical sense. It’s what makes his messages accessible to all and not just a cult
minority, confirming his stature as a genuine singer for the people, as well as a popular lovers’ rock artist.

Messages abound on mighty roots tracks such as former single Go Tell It; Pure Lies and How Can You (voiced on cuts of Burning Spear’s Marcus Garvey and Slavery Days respectively), So Dem Bad and then The Right Road itself, which utilises the same rhythm Danny used for the Ras Ites’ Picture On The Wall. Another of those autobiographical Road To Damascus type songs, The Right Road is outstanding, whilst tracks like In Love Again, So Full Of Life, Secret Lover and I’m Still Waiting cut Love Keeps Calling are the very epitome of lovers’ rock with their aching lead vocals, molten harmonies and classic reggae/rocksteady arrangements. Add to this tally modern-day pilgrim tales Never Can Stop and How Do You Feel or the life-affirming Never Let Love Leave, When We See and Just Cool, and it’s clear that something special’s happened here. With producer Danny Ray’s expertise to the fore, Glen Washington ever the wayward traveller has come home, and he’s delivered an enduring, exceptional set of songs for the occasion.

01.In Love Again
02. When We See
03. So Full Of Life
04.Secret Lover
05. Go Tell It
06.The Right Road
07.Love Keeps Calling
08. Just Cool
09. So Dem Bad
10. To Be Like H.I.M
11. How Do You Feel
12. Pure Lies
13. Never Let Love Leave
14. Never Can Stop
15. How Can You
16. Way Back Home
17.I Dig You Baby