You didn't really think she'd retired, did you? Sinead O'Connor has always taken a close interest in Rastafarianism, so an album of classic roots-reggae covers is an absolutely logical step from a singer who's often gone out of her way to sabotage her career. And while Jamaican music and an Irish accent are certainly an odd combination, her voice is more than good enough to make the experiment work. Producers Sly and Robbie have served O'Connor well, selecting some fine material (Lee Perry, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh) and giving the proceedings an up-tempo feel that stops the peace'n'love vibe from feeling too solemn. It concludes with a stern version of Bob Marley's 'War', the song she was performing when she ripped up the Pope's picture all those years ago. She may not have calmed down much since then, but she remains as compelling an artist as ever.
