Time Eternal (D3, 2000)

If you're not careful, you may very well overlook this CD, assuming it's not reggae (D3's marketing people, listen up...).  Looking at the pyramids on the cover and seeing the name Benaiah, I would likely guess North African or Middle Eastern music, but no, Time Eternal is 100% reggae.  Benaiah is a Miami-based act formed by Joseph Williamson, AKA Joseph Benaiah, the so-called "Godfather of Reggae" (according to D3's website) who once worked as Bob Marley's guitarist on tour.  Featuring himself on lead vocals, with a couple of tunes sung by a female singer, the group has a modern (digital) roots and lovers rock sound with dancehall overtones (think Beres Hammond).  Williamson has a sturdy, soulful voice that compares favorably to Freddie McGregor.  The female doesn't have as solid a voice, but she nevertheless carries two of the best songs on the album, "Glorious Day" and the evocative message of pride and peace, "Beautiful People" (Sometimes you just need a woman's voice to convey a certain tone.).  Although Benaiah provides a good dose of love songs, they have a spirituality and social conscience that emerges on tracks like "Blessings From Jah" and "We Nah Give Up," balancing the two sides as adeptly as, say Glen Washington.  Time Eternal starts off like gangbusters, with the first 6 tracks excelling ("Love One Another" being a nice remake of the Inner Circle classic), but it cools off thereafter, particularly on the sappy Maxi Priest-poppy "Take a  Look Around."  Still, the end is buoyed by the rootsy "Glorious Day" and the Third World-like "They Tell Me."  Though not groundbreaking, this is a relaxing, assured sophomore reggae (yes, reggae) album for Benaiah.