Kaleidoscopes Part 2: The Reggae Songs (Independent, 2004)

One of the more popular reggae artists in the Ohio area (not sure how impressive a statement that is), and almost certainly the most prolific, B.E. Mann has released 15 albums since 1987.  His music a mix of reggae, pop, and R&B, thus explaining the emphatic proclamation that this album contains strictly “reggae songs” (Part 1: The Pop Songs was released in 2003).  For those who need guidance, he even divides the album up by reggae sub-genre: first roots, second dancehall, third lovers, and finally dub.  Presto!  You have a reggae album!  I’ll take B.E. Mann’s word that this album is more faithful to the reggae sound than his previous releases, but that doesn’t mean that it’s without a discernable pop veneer.  For instance, the opening track, “Humble Yourself,” is a decent roots number, but the overriding rock ‘n roll guitar will no doubt turn off some reggae fans.  The next tune, “Change Your Ways,” may be the best cut on the album, but things go downhill from there.  There’s a sugary pop feel that overwhelms Kaleidoscopes Part 2 and reaches the barrel bottom on the painfully sentimental “It’s Alright,” which I imagine is what a reggae song by Barney the purple dinosaur would sound like.  Other tracks, like “Sing Your Song,” “Can’t Go to Sleep,” “Boogie Woogie Dance,” and the sterile “Murderous Dub,” similarly sound like the type of cloying tunes performed for non-reggae-listeners and/or tourists who don’t know any better.  I would say that B.E. Mann is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs, but the distinctly non-family friendly “Raggamuffin Girl” – with lyrics like “It’s punanny loving time!” – throws a wrench into those plans.  There are worse songs on this album, but “Raggamuffin Girl” stands out as the most eye-rolling, as it runs in stark contrast with almost every other lyric here, beginning with the opening: “Humble yourself, God’s children … Give yourself to Jesus Christ, and in your hearts he’ll stay.”  What goes better with Jesus than punanny?  B.E. Mann has a niche that has proved successful for him, but I doubt he will win over many serious reggae fans with material like Kaleidoscopes Part 2.