Barrington cover

Barrington

Barrington Levy · 1993

57 min · 12 tracks · reggae

Barrington Levy's smooth vocals glide over vibrant reggae rhythms, blending classic roots with contemporary dancehall flair.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Murderer (dance Hall mix) — This track showcases Levy's distinctive vocal style against a dynamic dancehall beat, making it a defining anthem of the genre during this era.
  • →
    Under Me Sensi — A classic hit that exemplifies Levy's ability to blend catchy melodies with socially conscious lyrics, reflecting themes of love and resilience.
  • →
    Vice Versa Love — This song highlights Levy's smooth delivery and romantic themes, illustrating his versatility as an artist able to navigate both upbeat and reflective genres.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and production but relies on familiar themes and styles within reggae.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a strong mid-tempo track, followed by the hit 'Murderer', which features a prominent bassline and layered harmonies.
  • The production blends traditional reggae instrumentation with contemporary dancehall elements, creating a vibrant sound throughout.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • vibrant rhythms for celebration
  • swaying grooves for dancing
  • rich vocals that uplift
  • catchy anthems for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • avoid slower, reflective moments

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1993, Barrington marks a pivotal moment in Barrington Levy's career as his first album after achieving significant recognition in the dancehall scene. By this time, Levy had already established himself with hits like 'Under Me Sensi' and was transitioning into a broader audience appeal, seeking to explore new sounds and styles.
Stylistic neighbors
Dennis Brown· Gregory Isaacs· Sugar Minott

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Nothing's Changed

    The verse shifts from personal reflections on change to broader societal observations about stagnation, creating a poignant contrast.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Sarvival 5:23
  • 2 Murderer (dance Hall mix) 5:18
  • 3 Work (Lipstick version) 3:46
  • 4 Be Strong 4:39
  • 5 Under Me Sensi 4:32
  • 6 Vice Versa Love 5:17
  • 7 Teacher 4:13
  • 8 90% There 4:49
  • 9 Nothing's Changed 6:02
  • 10 Strange 4:35
  • 11 Murderer (Jeep version) 5:08
  • 12 Work (Singer's version) 3:50

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata