Bush Baby (VP, 1998)

Formerly known as General Degree, this veteran DJ has quietly been putting out solid hardcore dancehall for years, from "Yuh Look Good Oonuh" and "Granny" (on Volumes 5 and 7 of Strictly the Best, respectively) in the early '90s to one of the best tracks of the mid-'90s, "When I Hold You Tonight" (on Reggae Gold 96) to the hits "Traffic Blocking" and "Boom Boom" on this album.  In music in general and in dancehall in particular, sometimes only the sound of an artist's voice sets him or her apart from others, and Degree's hearty chatting is appealing in its forceful yet fun-loving zeal.  Bush Baby is a nice display of his talent, a showcase of strict dancehall undiluted by pop sentiment (save perhaps for the irritating Maxi Priest duet "Baby Boo" and the cutesy title cut).  Aside from the two previously mentioned tracks, highlights include the rousing "Signal" and "She Miss Mi Now," which has a crossover edge that doesn't cross over, along with the Ward 21-ish "Bag a Things" and "Buss Mi Door," which rides the Heavy Metal riddim used on Buccaneer's "Bruk Out" and others.  Not necessarily classic, but consistent, Bush Baby embodies Degree's career.