Gregory Isaacs is the master of "lover's rock," a crooning, romantic style of reggae that is little known among American rock fans. The music, relaxed and sexy, with an innocence that recalls the balladry of Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield, is so appealing that it seems the only real barrier to a large American audience has been a lack of suitable material. With any luck, Night Nurse will change all that.

Unlike Isaacs' previous American releases, Night Nurse matches his laconic vocals with a sly, understated pop sensibility. The title track, for example, finds Isaacs twisting medical lingo into a plea for the sort of care not covered by Blue Cross: "Tell her it's a case of emergency," he croons. "There's a patient by the name of Gregory." For the most part, though, Isaacs relies more on melodic than lyrical invention; in "Objection Overruled," for example, an utterly pedestrian "take me back" motif is set to an exquisitely bittersweet melody.

As much as Isaacs' music relies on his keen sense of melody and undeniable vocal charm, it's the quiet authority of his backing band, the Roots Radics, that assures each song's success. In fact, the Radics are so sure-footed and their rhythms so irresistible that Night Nurse leaves the listener hungry for more. (RS 384)

J.D. CONSIDINE