IN A REGION as musically prolific as the Caribbean, it’s always hard to pick an album of the year.

Beres Hammond, the world-famous native of Saint Mary, Jamaica first released his latest album at the very end of 2012; “One Love, One Life” was his first album in four years, and made its worldwide debut this year.

The album, which was nominated for the Best Reggae Album Grammy award last month, is a master class in reggae music.

Hammond reminds us of the real power of the medium — and the way reggae music can uplift us like no other genre of music.

From the namesake “One Love One Life” to the contemplative “No Candle Light” to the soulful “In My Arms,” Hammond shows that, after four decades, he is still a reggae master.

To top it off, Hammond was even awarded the Order of Jamaica over the summer.

Here’s to another four decades of musical greatness, and even more albums like One Love, One Life.

— CJ