Marcia Griffiths - Shining Time (2005)

For legendary reggae singer Marcia Griffiths, this 2005 album constituted a look back on a career that had spanned over 40 years -- a career during which she had served as a backup singer for reggae music's most legendary figures as well as achieving significant success as a solo artist and (with Bob Andy) as half of a popular vocal duo. But Shining Time isn't a compilation of vintage Marcia Griffiths recordings -- instead, it's a collection of new songs, some of which look back in time explicitly either in theme ("Back in the Days," "Shining Time") or by implication (her cover version of Bob Marley's "Crazy Baldhead," for example). The rhythms are provided by a variety of producers and mostly hark back to the glory days of roots reggae (note, for example, how "Back in the Days" makes brilliant use of the "Tune In" rhythm), but the album's sound has a crisp and modern sheen throughout. Several A-list guest vocalists join her for duets -- they include the bouncy "Harmony" (featuring Shaggy) and the lovely "Live Life to the Fullest" (featuring Hopeton Lindo, who also produces several tracks). There are a couple of clunkers, most notably the unfortunately album-opening "My Heartbeat," which sounds wan and regretful rather than warm and romantic, but overall this album is a triumph.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Marcia Griffiths - My Hearbeat (3:49)
1.02 - Marcia Griffiths - Live Life To The Fullest Ft. Hopeton Lindo (3:11)
1.03 - Marcia Griffiths - Bring Back The Love (3:38)
1.04 - Marcia Griffiths - Back In The Days (3:45)
1.05 - Marcia Griffiths - Jah Daughter Ft. Annette Brissett (4:13)
1.06 - Marcia Griffiths - Human Rights (3:39)
1.07 - Marcia Griffiths - Shining Time (3:35)
1.08 - Marcia Griffiths - My Love (3:53)
1.09 - Marcia Griffiths - Focusing Time Ft. Beres Hammond (3:47)
1.10 - Marcia Griffiths - This Time Around] (3:47)
1.11 - Marcia Griffiths - Harmony Ft. Shaggy (3:44)
1.12 - Marcia Griffiths - My Life (2:55)
1.13 - Marcia Griffiths - Lies (3:39)
1.14 - Marcia Griffiths - Don't Stop (3:51)
1.15 - Marcia Griffiths - Until You Come Back To Me (3:27)
1.16 - Marcia Griffiths - A House Is Not A Home (3:53)
1.17 - Marcia Griffiths - Bring Back The Love Ft. Cutty Ranks (3:26)
1.18 - Marcia Griffiths - Crazy Baldhead (3:43)