Spirit of Love (Majek Fashek album)

The album was produced by Little Steven, who also played guitar; Little Steven became interested after seeing Fashek perform at the Apollo Theater.[8][9][10] It was recorded in Los Angeles and New York, with the Prisoners of Conscience numbering 12 members.[11][12] Spirit of Love mixed reggae styles with jùjú music, employing talking drums on many tracks.[13][14] "Majek Fashek in a New York" incorporated elements of dancehall.[15]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[16]
Chicago Tribune	[13]
Los Angeles Daily News	[15]
Los Angeles Times	[17]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide	[11]

The Chicago Tribune called the album "reggae with a more lively and sophisticated rhythmic sensibility."[13] The Milwaukee Sentinel noted that Fashek "often resembles the young Bob Marley sometimes too closely," but praised his "charisma and spiritual fervor, supported by his band's African/reggae sound"; it listed the album as one of the 10 best of 1991.[18] The Houston Chronicle also listed it as one of the best albums of 1991.[19]

The Boston Globe deemed the album "a joyous compilation of talking drums, maracas, horns and guitars."[5] The Los Angeles Times concluded that Fahek "writes with character, depth and fire, but fails to stake out his own territory."[17] The Virginian-Pilot stated that he "mixes tunes about suffering and politics with ones about longing and love, all the while blending reggae with rock, soul and the rhythms of Africa."[20]

AllMusic wrote: "Seamlessly blending elements of juju with reggae, Fashek turns from imitator to innovator in a disc with so much clear-eyed enthusiasm and vision you'd think reggae was his personal invention."[16]