Aleighcia Scott – Windrush Baby

Rory Stonelove

Ever since Rory Gilligan, known as Rory Stonelove, started focusing on his work in the producer’s chair, he has collaborated with several female powerhouse vocalists such as Jah9, Yeza, Kristine Alicia, Keida, Nadine Sutherland, Tara Harrison, and Aleighcia Scott. Together, they have created remarkable singles and full-length albums that showcase Rory Stonelove’s distinctive signature sound, known as Black Dub. This sound has resonated with a wide range of reggae enthusiasts. Leading up to the release of Aleighcia Scott’s debut album titled Windrush Baby, Rory Stonelove dropped a few singles from the talented Welsh-Jamaican artist. These included Pretty Little Brown Thing, In My Shoes and the vocalist’s first hit tune Do You.

Windrush Baby

After more than five years in the making, Windrush Baby, which title and eye-catching cover art are a reference to the arrival of Caribbean culture in Britain 75 years ago, features ten tracks including the previously mentioned singles. Accompanied by the irresistibly catchy and mostly vintage vibed riddims played by the Blackites band, comprised of some of Jamaica’s top session musicians, Aleighcia Scott’s incredibly powerful vocals shine brightly throughout. The album kicks off with the bold and piercing track First Love, which beautifully blends with a killer rendition of the well-known riddim of Gregory Isaacs’ Front Door. While this opening song explores matters of the heart, Windrush Baby reveals various facets of Aleighcia Scott’s soulful and heartfelt style of reggae. Captivating tracks like the jazz-flavored Mr. Big Shot and the upbeat Hey World illustrate that she’s equally at home with socially conscious themes. Additionally, there’s a fusion of roots and lovers reggae in the tradition of UK lovers rock showcased in the song Maybe.

Listening Pleasure

Aleighcia Scott’s reinterpretation of John Holt’s Studio One classic from 1966, Do You, is incredibly well done. The strings, recorded both in the UK and Jamaica, add a really nice twist to this new version. Originally a 1958 Brook Benton song titled Because You Love Me, Scott’s soaring and heartfelt singing takes this cover song to new heights. In My Shoes is a lively and energetic track that harkens back to the early to mid-1960s. With its horn-driven sound, it captures the essence of that era. On the other hand, Pretty Little Brown Thing embraces the importance of self-acceptance and asserting one’s power. It explores the idea of demanding acceptance on one’s own terms and encourages listeners to appreciate the authenticity within themselves and others. Furthermore, there is plenty of listening pleasure to be found in tracks like the buoyant Good Vibe, the groovy This Way, and the romantic My Love.

After having generated great anticipation and raising expectations with three singles taken off the album, one can now conclude that Aleighcia Scott’s Windrush Baby won’t disappoint any reggae enthusiast.