4 Rebels Volume 2 (RAS, 2003)

The second (thus signified by the "Volume 2") in this series highlighting modern conscious, cultural reggae artists (similar to the 3 Wise Men series), 4 Rebels Volume 2 differs from the first in two obvious ways: 1) Yami Bolo is replaced here by by Mikey General, and 2) the label suddenly switches from VP to RAS.  While this is interesting to note, it has no impact on the overall quality of the album...or does it?  That certainly would explain why the tracks here present such hollow representations of the skills of the four "rebels" -- Luciano, Sizzla, Mikey General, and Anthony B.  As much talent as there is between these artists, it seems like it would be quite difficult to release an album with such flaccid work.  Oddly, much of it isn't even new material -- in the case of Luciano's "This Is the Time" and Sizzla's "Be I Strong," these songs are from 1997 and 1998, respectively!  "Be I Strong" is a very nice track [included on the original Platinum Reggae compilation], but I don't know why you'd delve back 6 years for a limp R&B tune like "This Is the Time."  Combined with the pop/hip-hop garbage "Rasta Party" (not to be confused with Bushman's equally lame pop/hip-hop track of the same name), Luciano really starts things off on a rocky note, even though his "Enough Is Enough" is a sharp roots track (albeit two years old).  This leads to Sizzla's rootsy dancehall cut "Be Strong," which again is strong, but is followed by two very standard dancehall tunes that contribute little beyond Sizzla's trademark fire and brimstone.  The second half of 4 Rebels Volume 2 features the two least heralded artists, Mikey General and Anthony B., but they actually provide the best representations of their talent, Mikey General with smooth modern roots cuts like "Bless the Stress" and "Love and Mercy" and Anthony B. with the potent dancehall of "Clean Heart" and "Talk Too Much."  Again, though, these latter two have been available for over two years already on Anthony B.'s 2001 album More Love.