Untouchable (Amazon Bluenile, 2008)

This debut album from singer Dr. Cabull Bird will no doubt remind many listeners of Gregory Isaacs, in all the very best ways. Not only does "the doctor" sound like "the Cool Ruler" vocally, but his intonations, his melodies and the music -- produced by Sean "Amazon" Woodhouse -- all smack of Isaacs' influence. Of course, this isn't necessarily a criticism; in reggae, imitation is the sincerest flattery, and seeing as how Isaacs hasn't come out with too many great albums since the '80s, Untouchable is a welcome treat. It's like discovering a long-hidden Isaacs album from Isaacs' heyday, and I dare say it compares favorably to the cream of his crop. In fact, you might find yourself double-checking to make sure these aren't all covers. "Room in Blue," for instance, has the chorus "Her love is overdue," but it's not Isaacs' "Love Is Overdue." Every track scores with the easygoing charm and supreme coolness that made Isaacs such a legend. Woodhouse's production feeds into the comparison, with vintage riddims that range in feel from the early '70s to the early '90s, from early roots to early dancehall. Check out samples at Dr. Cabull Bird's MySpace site .