My Number 1 Girl
Although this is just his second album, Washington has already established himself as one of the most romantic reggae singers around. His tenderly gruff, soulful voice is reminiscent of the great Beres Hammond-the Teddy Pendergrass of reggae-a point Washington drives home with an emotional rendition of Pendergrass' hit "You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration." On a more obscure note, he also covers Billy Stewart's "Sitting in the Park," but the majority of the album's songs were written by Washington himself.The rootsy rhythms are provided in roughly equal doses by Sly & Robbie and Mafia & Fluxy. Half the songs are sweetly romantic, like Washington's duet with Fiona on "Right From the Start." The other half, like "Still Going Strong" and "One of These Days," are inspirational and/or religious. --From Rhythm Magazine