Title
Artist
Label
Format
Date
   Album review
Yesterday & Today
Robert Ffrench
Artists Only! Records - Walboomers Music
CD
30 - 12 - 2001


Tracking list

  1. Bun & Cheese featuring Clement Irie
  2. My Credential
  3. Too Young
  4. On The Dancefloor
  5. Carry On
  6. Try Me
  7. My Story featuring Anthony B
  8. Free Love
  9. Friends
  10. Cry No More featuring Grand Puba
  11. Natural Love
  12. Free & Single featuring Heavy D
  13. More Love featuring Heavy D
  14. Ruff & Tuff
  15. I Need It Tonite
  16. Rock & Come In
  17. Ragga Muffin
Rating : from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor)

Vocals : 4/5 Backing : 4 Production : 4 Sound quality : 5 Sleeve : 4


Singer, songwriter, and producer Robert Ffrench emerged in the early eighties alongside then up-and-coming dancehall singers like Triston Palmer, Anthony Johnson, Michael Palmer and Cocoa Tea, to name a few. Initially started as a fine dancehall singer (however without achieving notable international recognition), Ffrench expanded his musical activities throughout the nineties. He started his own record label, "Ffrench Records", and also concentrated on production work. During his career he has worked with top reggae and hip-hop artists both on the stage and in the studio.
Now Robert Ffrench has put together a decent compilation set called "Yesterday & Today", which features a number of old favorites as well as some newer tunes. Besides solo efforts this set also includes some entertaining combination tunes. First one is treated to the solid "Bun & Cheese", Robert Ffrench's huge UK hit from 1990 performed in combination with UK-based fast chatter Clement Irie. Furthermore there's the 2001 hit tune "My Story" with topnotch singjay Anthony B. Both artists are in good shape and deliver a notable effort over a wicked rootsy backdrop, one of the highlights of this album. Hip-hop's Grand Pupa can be heard in "Cry No More", a nice tune with crossover potential. And, of course, this set has to feature the platinum selling Heavy D, who happens to be one of Robert's frequent sparring partners. Two tunes, "Free & Single" and "More Love", are included and both show that this combination works perfectly well. Then the solo tunes. All very enjoyable efforts with the most notable tracks being "My Credential", "Too Young", Try Me", "Free Love", "Friends" and "Ragga Muffin".

Teacher & Mr. T.