Can't Stop a Man collects some of
Beres Hammond's biggest Jamaican hits, beginning with his first,
"One Step Ahead" from 1976, a song produced by
Willie Lindo. Moving chronologically through to 2003's sweet and infectious
"Dancehall Vibes," which features
Big Youth and is one of the highlights here, this two-disc set is a wonderful introduction to this woefully underappreciated singer and writer. With a voice that combines
Marvin Gaye's subtle phrasing,
Sam Cooke's easy charm, and the soulful power of a
David Ruffin,
Hammond has a talent for graceful, easy-flowing
lovers rock, but he has also effortlessly managed to work light
dancehall and
hip-hop elements into his work, giving him an uncommon longevity in the ever-shifting sea of styles that is the trademark of Jamaican music. Key tracks here include
"Last War," "Who Say" (with
Buju Banton),
"Sugar You Want," and
"Rockaway," a fond reminiscence of the island's
roots era. Lovingly packaged,
Can't Stop a Man includes track-by-track annotation and discussion. ~ Steve Leggett
![The Best of Cameo [Casablanca]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0731451482427_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "The Best of Cameo [Casablanca]")
