Contagious

by Tarrus Riley

Overview

It's a minor problem, but if there's a complaint to be made about Tarrus Riley's 2009 effort Contagious, it's that his previous effort, Parables, has a much better layout. The crowding together of redundant numbers and uneven flow experienced here makes Contagious feel more like a collection of songs than a fully thought-out album, but they are great songs for the most part, performed in that dignified, warm, Rasta manner that has made Riley a favorite of the new roots set. "Living the Life of a Gun" is a wonderfully smooth alternative to Anthony B. or Sizzla's social commentary, and when a children's choir enhances the moving prayer "Let Peace Reign," Riley skillfully moves into Wyclef's territory with elaborate arrangements hung on grand statements. The lovers' numbers are just as good, if not better this time out with the sensual take on Michael Jackson's hit "Human Nature" and the yearning "Love's Contagious" -- based on Marley's "Coming In From the Cold" riddim -- competing for the top spot. The latter features a quick fade that comes way too early for the slow-grooving song, and when you add a track list 18 songs long which doesn't seem properly sorted, the quality control is a step lower than last time out. Parables remains a better introduction, but taken on a track-by-track level, Riley delivers his high-grade material with such grace and passion that Contagious is well worth the bit of patience it requires. ~ David Jeffries

Product Details

Release Date:	08/04/2009
Label:	Vp Records
UPC:	0054645186421
Rank:	131306

Tracks

1. Living the Life of a Gun
2. I Sight
3. Love's Contagious
4. Human Nature
5. Soul Mate
6. Superman
7. Young Heart
8. Start a New
9. S-Craving
10. Why So Much Wickedness?
11. Let Peace Reign
12. Don't Judge
13. King Selassie H.I.M.
14. Stop Watch
15. Herbs Promotion
16. Good Girl Gone Bad
17. Mankind
18. It Will Come (A Musicians Life Story)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tarrus Riley   Primary Artist,Choir/Chorus
DeMarco Brothers   Primary Artist
Mark Dawson   Drums
Kirk Bennett   Drums
Shane Brown   Drum Overdubs
Steven "Cat" Coore   Cello,Guitar
Carroll "Bowie" McLaughlin   Keyboards
Demarco   Featured Artist
Joel Chin   Percussion,Drum Overdubs
Chris Smith   Vocals (Background),Vocals (Background)
Carrol Dexter   Vocals (Background)
Bobby Ellis   Horn
Steven "Lenky" Marsden   Keyboards
Vin Gordon   Horn
Dean Fraser   Horn,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Lloyd Parks   Bass
Shaun Darson   Drums
Mitchum Chin   Guitar
Connie Campbell   Vocals (Background),Vocals (Background)
Paul Kastick   Drums
Sly Dunbar   Drums,Percus
Kevon Webster   Keyboards
Ronald "Nambo" Robinson   Horn
Vauxhall School Choir   Choir/Chorus
Sharpe Sherida   Vocals (Background)
Curtis Lynch, Jr.   Keyboards
Sherita Lewis   Vocals (Background)
Keith Maroghini   Drums
Chevaughn Clayton   Vocals (Background)
Akilah Riley   Vocals (Background)
Iran Richard   Drums,Drums
Calvin Mitchell   Drums
Chris Downer   Drums
Denver Smith   Drums,Percussion
B. Fletcher   Guitar,Keyboards
Robbie Shakespeare   Bass
Stephen "Cat" Coore   Cello,Guitar
Vybz Kartel   Featured Artist
Robert Lyn   Keyboards
Santa   Drums,Drums
Peter Ashbourne   Violin
Nicky Burt   Vocals (Background)
Ronald Robinson   Horn
Michael Fletcher   Bass
Tommy McCook   Horn
Dwight Richards   Horn
Duane Stephenson   Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Etana   Featured Artist
Curtis Lynch   Keyboards
Althea Layne Hamilton   Vocals (Background)
Sherida Sharpe   Vocals (Background)
Glen Browne   Bass,Chant
Herman Marquis   Horn
Alvin Haughton   Percussion
Robert "Dubwise" Browne   Guitar
DeMarco Girls   Featured Artist
Fireball   Drums
Konshens   Featured Artist
Conradine Campbell   Vocals (Background)
Fancy Cat   Featured Artist
Ity   Featured Artist
Kareth Anthony   Vocals (Background)
Lincoln Thomas   Guitar
Carol "Bowie" McLauglin   Keyboards
Althea Layne   Vocals (Background)
Sydney "Congo Billy" Watson   Drums,Percussion
Donald "Danny Bassie" Dennis   Bass
Sean Darson   Drums
Lamont "Monty Rankin" Savory   Guitar
Andrew Marsh   Keyboards
Aeion Hoilett   Bass

Technical Credits

Steve Porcaro   Composer
Steven Stanley   Mixing
Chris Chin   Executive Producer
Collin "Bulbie" York   Mixing,Producer
Kirk Bennett   Drum Fills
Shane Brown   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Lynford "Fatta" Marshall   Producer
Joel Chin   A&R,Mixing,Editing,Engineer,Producer,Mastering,Executive Producer
Greg Morris   Engineer,Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Paul Shields   Editing,Mastering
Romel Marshall   Mixing,Engineer
Errol Brown   Mixing,Engineer
John Bettis   Composer
Dean Fraser   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Executive Producer
W. Riley   Composer
Professionals   Producer
Greg Norris   Engineer,Engineer
D. Fraser   Composer
T. Johnston   Composer
Michael Howell   Engineer
Joe Lickshot   Introduction
The Professionals   Producer
Tarik Johnston   Engineer,Producer
Jomo McMayo   Engineer
Duke Price   Producer
Romiech Major   Stylist
Christopher Price   Producer
Robbie Shakespeare   Composer
Robin Thicke   Composer
S. Brown   Composer
Steven Chino Lewis   Composer
Roland McDermott   Engineer
Rohan Dwyer   Mixing
O   Composer
Collin "Demarco" Edwards   Composer
Tarrus Riley   A&R,Composer,Musician,Producer
Carlos Alwood   Engineer
G. Spence   Composer
O. Riley   Composer
M. Solomon   Composer
Riley   Composer
Michael "Box Lunch" Howell   Engineer
Monei Lemar   Mixing,Engineer,Mixing,Engineer
Stephen Stanley   Mixing
Christy Barber   Product Manager
Oliver Riley   Composer
Carlos Allwood   Engineer
Marvin Bartley   Photography
B. Fletcher   Drum Programming
Louis Raffington   Design,Art Direction
Omar Riley   Composer
Uranga Emilio   Composer