Unchangeable (I Grade, 2007)

I Grade scores again! Just when you thought you'd heard all that St. Croix has to offer, Danny I steps into the spotlight. He's actually been active since the '90s, when he briefly formed a band called Sacred Science with fellow VI singer Army. He later collaborated on Army's early solo hit "Yesterday's News" and has since been featured on Virgin Islands compilations like Wake Up Call, Eastbound II and III, and Talkin' Roots II. Unchangeable is actually Danny I's sophomore album, but his 2001 debut, Jah Fury, was little-heard and is now hard to find -- although if it's anything like Unchangeable, it's worth tracking down. Like Army, Danny I rides the roots reggae train with a smooth lovers rock flair, his vocals ranging from the tender croon of "Recuerdo de Ayer" to the more edgy Vaughn Benjamin-like chanting of "Bow Dem Face." Speaking of Benjamin, he makes his requisite appearance on "New Jerusalem," no doubt contributing to it being the quirkiest song on the album, while NiyoRah spices up perhaps the best track, "Old Time Something." Virtually every tune on Unchangeable has its appeal, though -- particularly "Weak at the Foundation," "In Order to Live Up," "Driving Force," and the acoustic "Seek Zion" -- fueled by I Grade's top-notch musicianship and Danny I's heartfelt delivery. An easy nominee for Album of the Year. See for yourself at igraderecords.com.