Cornell Campbell – Sweet Baby (Red Vinyl)

Cornell Campbell's Sweet Baby first appeared in 1978 and catches the Jamaican singer balancing roots reggae with a deep affection for soul and R&B. Produced by Linval Thompson and recorded at Channel One and Harry J's, it pairs Campbell's airy, gently trembling falsetto with a tight studio band that included Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, Ossie Hibbert and Winston Wright.

What makes the album stand out is how naturally that blend works. Covers of The Royalettes' Gonna Take a Miracle and Sam Cooke's You Send Me sit comfortably beside Campbell originals, giving the record a warmer, more romantic pull than many late-70s reggae sets. Tracks like My Sweet Baby and Just Enough became sound-system favourites, while songs such as Blinded By Love and Can't Hide My Love bring a more wistful edge.

Campbell had already come through ska, rocksteady and reggae by this point, and Sweet Baby shows why his voice remained so distinctive across those changes: relaxed, intimate and instantly recognisable. This edition also reflects the album's vinyl history, returning on 180g red vinyl with extensive sleeve notes.

Features

• LP, 180g, Red Vinyl
• Extensive sleeve notes