"Universal Love" by Istan Black & The Sweets & Friends is a smooth R&B/reggae album full of wonderful performances from a healthy lineup of musicians. The album combines the optimistic idealism of reggae with the slick sweetness of R&B. The arrangements lean more toward the reggae end of things, but the R&B elements add a dimension that makes the sound truly unique. The songs have a big full sound, with lots of interesting musical layers and unique instrumentation. The diversity between tracks is also quite noteworthy as each song is a new adventure. The album is very well produced and these songs are definitely radio ready. Highlights include the opener "Universal Love 1," which kicks off the album with a bang and introduces all the elements of the sound, with great performances all around. "Good Feelings" is very stylistic and features a nice range in the lead vocal performance and a creatively quirky arrangement. "Family Ties" hits home right away with a memorable riff and a great message. If you enjoy reggae that has a lot of style put together by talented performers, give this great collection a try.
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