Rootsman Credential

Everton Blender is one of the top roots reggae singers on the scene as of late 1999, when this album was released. He's also a fine producer, as this effort demonstrates — self-produced albums aren't as common in reggae as they are in other genres, and he acquits himself nicely here with the assistance of multi-instrumentalist Daddy Marshall (and, on a few tracks, session stars like guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith and the legendary drummer Sly Dunbar). Marshall's digital rhythms power a program of Everton originals that range in style from the lovers rock of "Slick Me Slick" to strictly cultural dancehall numbers like "Bingi Man a Come" and "I Love Jah Jah" (I never said the songs were original, just that they're good). Blender sings in a strong, chesty tenor voice spiced up with the occasional Michael Rose-ish ululation, and if his range isn't especially great, he manages to use what's available to him very effectively on tracks like "Weeping Eyes" and the admonitory "These Hands." Recommended.