Amazon Raw (Amazon Bluenile, 2007)

Sean "Amazon" Woodhouse is a dentist-turned-producer who's worked with the likes of Willie Williams, Sugar Minott, Leroy Smart, Mikey General, Cedric Myton (of the Congos), Edi Fitzroy and Gregory Isaacs over the past 20 years and has produced several solid efforts on his Amazon Bluenile label, including Dr. Cabull Bird's Untouchable and the compilations Amazon Rebel, Miss Cassie All Stars and Amazon Love. On Amazon Raw, he steps in front of the microphone to deliver a dub poetry album comparable to a modern Lee "Scratch" Perry effort. Unfortunately, like a modern Lee Perry album, it's a hit-or-miss affair. Amazon's vocals aren't as expressive and his lyrics aren't as interesting as the best dub poets, and tracks like "Christian Time" plod along without enough musical accompanyment to make us want to listen to the mumbled vocals. Still, a few songs shine through: "My Surname" is a vibrant mix of Bob Marley's "Put It On" and "Duppy Conqueror," "Lying" most successfully captures the cool funkiness of the legendary Perry, "Who Is Wrong" features a haunting refrain and "Girl I Love You," the album's highlight, chugs along with an irresistible chant. Check it out at www.amazon-bluenile.com.