Try A Little Smile Riddim – Joe Frasier

Six voices ride the Try A Little Smile Riddim, and the lineup leans on seasoned singers like Terry Linen, Freddie McGregor and Adele Harley rather than trying to crowd the thing with a long roll call. Joe Frasier keeps it in that warm, rootsy reggae pocket, with a gentle stepper pulse and a sweet, old-school melodic feel that gives the singers room to stretch out. Terry Linen’s “Ask For It” and Freddie McGregor’s “What You Gonna Do” sit especially well in the mix, while Adele Harley’s title cut keeps the hook front and centre. The whole set has a clean, lightly buoyant bounce, carried by a steady bass line and uncluttered drums that never rush the vocal phrasing.