Opening with the powerful and trenchant Maasai, Damien Dempsey stakes his claim as one of Ireland’s most innovative new vocalists. In this song uses his vocal range to evoke his vision of an African warrior’s hypnotic chant. As the album progresses his voice mellows and we hear personal ballads, like How Strange and Summer’s in My Heart. The reggae influence is felt on Your Pretty Smile and Teachers, on which he acknowledges his influences to include, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, Phil Lynott and Luke Kelly among others. The title track tells of the choice offered to the conquered Irish by Oliver Cromwell on either death or slavery in the Caribbean colony.

UFO 1010 CD $16