Album Review: "Too Experienced: The Best of Barrington Levy"

Barrington Levy's compilation, "Too Experienced: The Best of Barrington Levy" encapsulates the brilliance of this renowned Jamaican reggae artist.

Barrington Levy is one of Caribbean reggae's most popular figures. His "Shine Eye Girl," "Vice Versa Love," "Prison Oval Rock" and "Living Dangerously" are songs familiar to both the old and the young in the Caribbean. In 1998, VP Records released Too Experienced: The Best of Barrington Levy, which features the popular songs mentioned and twelve of Levy's other biggest tracks.

Who is Barrington Levy?

Barrington Levy is a Jamaican reggae artist who started recording songs in 1975. Levy has recorded several albums, including Englishman (1979), Barrington (1993), Prison Oval Rock (1985), and Here I Come (1984). He writes many of his own lyrics and his songs are filled with positive messages. Levy was also featured on Hip Hop artist Shyne's "Bad Boyz" and "Bonnie & Shyne", which featured on Shyne's self-titled album, released in 2005. This collaboration gave Levy's voice a stronger presence on the airwaves in the United States.

Too Experienced: The Best of Barrington Levy - The Songs

Sixteen tracks make up this compilation of Levy's more popular songs. Released in 1998, the album comprises one of the best collections of any reggae artist's work. It includes collaborations with other reggae artists - "Work" featuring Jigsy King and "Dancehall Rock" featuring Cutty Ranks.

• Barrington Sings That He's "Too Experienced": In the title song "Too Experienced," originally released in 1989, Levy sings of jilted love, describing a lady who he wishes to woo giving him the run-a-around. He says that he's "Too experienced to be taken for stroll/ Too experienced for someone to rock and roll/ Too experienced to be taken for a ride."
• "My Time": Soulful but Serious Reggae: Originally released in 1991, on the album, Divine, "My Time" is a song about struggle. "My Time" was written by reggae artist, [Bob Andy](http://www.bobandy.com/), and has also been sung by Gregory Isaacs. The hook on this powerful song is "I need nothing to be a man, because I was born a man and I deserve the rights to live like any other man."
• "Shine Eye Girl": The Late '70s Hit: One of the older tracks on this album, "Shine Eye Girl" is about a girl whose eyes are glistening and seeking fame. In this ska-styled upbeat song, Levy keeps asking "Wha' you really want, girl?"
• "Living Dangerously" Featuring Bounty Killer: The title of this song offers a powerful statement and the lyrics match the title. Levy and Bounty Killer sing of a lady who can no longer be trusted because of her unscrupulous behavior. Bounty Killer sings "Gal, you living too dangerous, better if you give it up."

Barrington Levy is a well-known Jamaican reggae artist who has released several reggae albums and countless popular songs. The album Too Experienced: The Best of Barrington Levy is a compilation of songs from the 1970s to the 1990s, featuring Levy's smooth voice and realistic lyrics.