GENRE; Jazz/ Reggae/ Alternative Pop/ Electronic/ Cinematic/ Instrumental
RELEASE DATE; 08 September, 2026
RATING; 4.1/5
Certain songs take a long time before they make their way into the world, and “I Guess You Want It This Way” is an appropriate example. C’batch began working on the song some 26 years ago following encouragement from his Jamaican-born wife, Yvette, who suggested that he write something in the reggae style. Although the song never actually reached completion at that time, the hook, the harmony and the verse melody remained with him. Then in 2026 he returned to the incomplete recording, added the lyrics and at last provided the song with the ending it had been waiting for.
What results is a six-track EP centred on that single piece. Each version offers ‘I Guess You Want It This Way’ a slightly different interpretation yet still retains the original melody and reggae style. Because of this the set is interesting as a group of tracks rather than just being the same song played over and over again. You can see C’batch examining the same composition from various angles, the well-known features acting as a unifying element that links the six versions together. The long period between the initial idea and these new recordings also imparts a sense of history to the project.
The inclusion of a tribute to Ernest Ranglin gives the release a personal touch. C’batch met the famous Jamaican guitarist at Heathrow Airport in 2001 and that meeting had a lasting impact on him. Since C’batch himself is a guitarist, it seems a reasonable thing to dedicate this project to Ranglin. The link to reggae also arises from a real connection, not just because it was a stylistic decision for this particular release. This personal history is evident in the care that has been put into a song which has remained part of his creative life for so many years.
“I Guess You Want It This Way” is now being made available from C’batch’s archive after having finally gotten its opportunity to be heard. Included in his 2026 “Year of the Vault” project, the EP presents an unfinished piece from decades earlier and at the same time keeps account of its origins. The blend of reggae, soul, R&B and modern production gives the six versions their individual character, while the song’s lengthy history continues to contribute to its appeal. For C’batch, this is not simply a matter of going back and listening to an old recording; it is about completing something which he had never fully been able to leave behind.
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