Aswad

Where their opposite numbers in Steel Pulse yoke reggae militance to rock aggression, they soften reggae hope with pop salesmanship. Singing sweeter and smarmier than Gregory Isaacs if not Billy Ocean, Brinsley Forde doesn't lend much force to lyrics like "Set Them Free" and "Back to Africa." Nor does their obvious eagerness to insert cutesy hooks do much for their aura of righteousness. Like so many black pop best-ofs, this one showcases beautiful music--I dig their dabs of dub. But if Lionel Richie came up with a liberal lie on the order of "Give a Little Love"--"Only we can make it better/Only if we try"--reggae fans would cry Babylon from here to Nostrand Avenue. (Grade: B-)