Give Love A Try by Bertie Ranks: A Dancehall Gem That Stays With You
Alright, so let me tell ya about this little treasure called Give Love A Try by Bertie Ranks. It’s one of those albums that sneaks up on you—kinda like when someone offers you a sip of something unfamiliar but ends up being surprisingly refreshing. This UK-born reggae-dancehall vibe comes straight outta LJC Suntan Records, and trust me, it’s got enough heat to warm your soul even on the greyest British afternoon.
First off, I gotta shout out two tracks that really stuck with me: “Give Love A Dub” and (duh) the title track “Give Love A Try.” They’re not just songs; they feel more like moments. Like, if you close your eyes while listening, you can almost picture yourself chilling under some palm trees—even though we all know full well there ain’t no palm trees in London!
“Give Love A Dub” hits different right from the start. The bassline? Oh man, it's so smooth it feels illegal. And then there’s Bertie’s voice floating over the top, laid-back yet somehow urgent at the same time. He doesn’t need flashy lyrics or crazy high notes to grab your attention—he just lets the groove do its thing. By the second verse, you realize you’ve been nodding along for way too long, and honestly? You don’t wanna stop. It’s hypnotic, like a musical version of staring into space but way cooler.
Then there’s “Give Love A Try,” which kinda serves as the heart of the whole project. The melody is simple enough to stick in your head after one listen, but it’s also got this raw honesty to it. Bertie sings about giving love another shot, and yeah, sure, it sounds cheesy written down—but hearing him say it makes you believe it. Maybe it’s the sincerity in his tone or maybe it’s because deep down, everyone needs a reminder that love isn’t always doomed. Either way, it works.
What strikes me most about this album is how effortless it feels. There’s none of that forced energy where artists try too hard to prove themselves. Instead, Bertie keeps things grounded, letting the music speak for itself. It’s like he’s inviting you into his world rather than shouting from across the room.
And here’s the kicker—I didn’t expect an album rooted in dancehall vibes to make me think so much about relationships. But hey, life’s funny like that. Sometimes the best lessons come wrapped up in beats and rhythms instead of boring self-help books. So if you’re looking for something real without all the bells and whistles, give Give Love A Try a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up humming these tunes for days!
