Soulful Reggae

by Jo-Ann Greene Susan Cadogan reached the peak of popularity in 1975, when her cover of "Hurt So Good" soared into the U.K. Top Five and "Love Me Baby" returned her to the Top 25. But the singer was unable to follow up those hits, and although Cadogan reignited here career briefly back home in Jamaica in the mid-'80s, she then disappeared from view for years. Cadogan's return to the scene was heralded by the inclusion of her take on "Together We Are Beautiful" for Aiwa's 12th Anniversary compilation. That hit the shops in 1992, but it was only the beginning of the singer's working relationship with Mad Professor, which culminated later that year with the singer's Soulful Reggae album. "Together" takes center stage on this lavish lovers rock set, effervescent in feel, but packing an emotional punch. Much of the album comprises astutely chosen pop covers, which Cadogan skips lightly across, leaving emotional depths in her wake. Her version of "Say a Little Prayer" is particularly strong, "Band of Gold" ripples with heartbreak, the pleading "Baby Come Back" aches with the sound of a woman desperate not to sound as desperate as she is, and "Be My Baby" showcases the beauty and range of her voice, while "Emotions" does the same for her soulful side. The deft arrangements, luminescent backings, and Mad Professor's fabulous productions provide perfect backdrops for Cadogan's vocals, and coaxes out some of her best performances. Like John Holt, she is the perfect pop singer, with a wonderfully light touch but with surprising emotional depths stirring just beneath the surface. Mad Professor here highlights a sophistication to her style that was rarely apparent in her earlier work. It had been 16 years since Cadogan's last album, but in many ways, it was well worth the wait.