by Stephen CookFeaturing the excellent backing of the Roots Radics band, Don Carlos' Day to Day Living includes ten self-penned, sophisticated roots-reggae cuts. With his slightly hoarse yet sweet vocals, Carlos takes on his usual topical mix of spiritual/Rastafarian themes, ghetto life, and dancehall culture, showing the kind of lovers rock and roots lyric blend also favored by contemporaries like Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown. Musically, Carlos alternates between the dimly lit, minimalist drum'n'bass backdrops on "Street Life" and "Hog and Goat," and sunnier, bubbly organ and horn-driven cuts like "Hey Mr. Babylon" and "English Woman," with the updated rock-steady cut "I'm Not Crazy" standing out in particular. While producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes (Barrington Levy, Eek-A-Mouse) supplies the album's rugged but slick backdrop, Scientist delivers a spacious, dub-tinged mix. Special mention should also be made of Winston Wright's tasty organ work throughout the set, and "Flabba" Holt and "Style" Scott's rock-solid rhythmic support. As is the case with his Harvest Time record, Day to Day Living includes some of the best music Carlos released in the '80s.