A.J. Brown – Shots Of Love

St James-born veteran singer A.J. Brown, who first came to prominence in the late 1970s on Jamaica’s north coast hotel circuit, has released his long awaited new album titled Shots Of Love on his own Brown Cat Records imprint. It’s the follow up to his album Love People which was released in 2016.

A.J. Brown’s journey from humble beginnings in Jamaica to the lavish city of Las Vegas is truly inspiring. From 1989 to 1996, he reigned supreme at the Mirage Hotel and Casino, captivating millions with his versatile voice and impressive vocal range. A.J. Brown’s musical aspirations started early on, with a deep love for ballads and reggae, influenced by legendary artists such as Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Andrea Bocelli, and Dennis Brown. His exceptional talent caught the world’s attention in 1980 when he emerged victorious at a German talent contest. Since then, he has achieved several milestones, including the release of multiple singles, six solo albums, and the inclusion of his songs on various compilation albums. Brown was invited to join the internationally acclaimed reggae band Third World as a guest lead singer during their US tour in October 2012. Following the passing of their lead singer, William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke, on February 2, 2014, Brown’s temporary assignment became a permanent position in the band. He showcased his distinct and exceptional vocal abilities on six out of the fourteen tracks on Third World’s 2014 album, Under The Magic Sun.

Despite being in music business for more than four decades, A.J. Brown, most likely isn’t a well-known name among reggae fans due to having ventured into various genres such as jazz, world beat, R&B, pop, and classical. Being an experienced vocalist and songwriter, he always adds a touch of sophistication to his music. This air of excellence can clearly be heard in his recordings, including his latest album. Titled Shots of Love, the majority of the 16 songs explore themes of romance, showcasing Brown’s talent for creating heartfelt tracks. However, he also demonstrates his proficiency in roots reggae through songs like Jah Will Always Be Around and More Revolution, even though they may appear slightly out of place within the album’s concept. Nevertheless, these two remarkable tracks provide a welcomed and refreshing change of pace. After multiple listens, love songs such as Living In The Now, My Best For You, Dreams Of Me on the Skylarking riddim, In Love With Love, and Be True are the ones that make the strongest impact and stay with you intensely.

There is an abundance of material available here that is sure to captivate the attention and affection of mature listeners.