Element of Surprise

This is a promising, if imperfect, debut effort from a gifted young roots reggae singer. Hailing from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, Mykal Somer started his singing career at the age of 17; ten years later, his first album finds him working with producer Michael Fanus to create backing rhythms that split the difference between roots and dancehall styles with mostly effective results, though sometimes the resulting sound is a bit mechanical and enervated. Highlights include a fine combination track (with deejay Prospec) entitled "Time Don't Wait" and the spare and rootsy "Mama Miga." Less impressive are "History," the lyrics to which seem to have been written on the mistaken idea that everyone has forgotten about Bob Marley and Jacob Miller, and "Who Is Babylon," in which Somer accuses Babylon of covering up the fact that cigarettes cause cancer. The remix of "Element of Surprise," similarly, is not creative or unique enough to be worth the time it's given. Not bad overall. Somer is off to a pretty good start and he should get better as time goes on.