Some melodies simply refuse to go away, and C’batch’s I Guess You Want It This Way is a fine example of one finally finding its moment. More than two decades in the making, this six-version EP brings an old composition into the present while paying tribute to the legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin. What began as a personal attempt to write a reggae song, encouraged by C’batch’s Jamaican wife Yvette, eventually grew into a project carrying both musical affection and a meaningful connection to Jamaica’s rich musical heritage.
The opening version, “I Guess You Want It This Way (Cinematic Reggae),” gets things moving with thumping beats, vibrant pulsing instrumentation, and a lively horn arrangement. There’s a lovely richness to the music, giving it a buoyant, full-bodied groove, while C’batch’s charismatic and engaging vocal delivery brings the melody to life. It balances rhythmic energy with an easygoing reggae spirit.
Track four takes a different route. “I Guess You Want It This Way 2” is an instrumental interpretation, placing greater emphasis on the percussion and a deeper, more pronounced bass groove. Without vocals to lead the way, the rhythm gets room to breathe, allowing the underlying composition to speak through its instrumental details.
The EP’s backstory adds another layer of warmth. C’batch first developed the idea around 26 years ago, even pairing an early recording with photographs from a trip to Jamaica in the early 2000s. Yet something felt unfinished until he returned to the melody in 2026 and finally found the lyrics to complete it. Dedicated to Ranglin, whom he met at Heathrow Airport in 2001, the release also reflects a guitarist’s admiration for a musical pioneer. Part of C’batch’s ongoing Year of the Vault, this is a welcome revival of a long-held idea, with six interpretations giving an enduring melody fresh ways to find its audience.
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Review by: Naomi Joan