*GUEST REVIEW*
After Winnipeg ska legends Whole Lotta Milka disbanded following their 1999 record Al's Diner, frontman Greg Crowe joined the Wedgewoods, a pop-oriented, upbeat ska-rock group that had the right attitude, but were mere shadows of Milka, one of the groups that helped kick off the city's now booming ska scene. With Bhakta Basics, the singer (and former Communist Party of Canada candidate)'s solo debut, Crowe completely redeems himself. Eschewing most of the third-wave ska that he's best known for, Crowe opts for more of a traditional ska sound this time around, with dalliances into the realm of rock steady. Playing almost all of the instruments himself, Crowe returns to his tried-and-true territory of sweet little love songs, political statements, and examples of flat-out brilliant songwriting. On an album with more than its share of standouts, "Leaving Little Girl" is the most immediately arresting track. Completely a capella, Crowe simulates an entire ska orchestra with nothing but his vocal chords (and a well-placed kazoo solo). Although the songs leading up to it are all exciting, "Leaving Little Girl," located at the album's mid-point, is an indication that you have something special on your hands. With the exception of "Are You Ready?," the poorly-selected title track which features Crowe making the ill-advised decision to adopt a cheesy Jamaican accent, Bhakta Basics is pretty flawless. Crowe, who stands proudly on the back cover with his ultra-thick nerd glasses, is the rare artist who embraces his inner geek in a genre that often encourages macho toughness from its vocalists. His charming pop ditties, driven by a tireless ska rhythm, come across almost like what it would sound like if They Might Be Giants developed a fascination with reggae music. Compared to Whole Lotta MIlka's final record, Al's Diner, the political statements on Bhakta Basics are few and far between, but Crowe rips into a raging version of fellow leftie Billy Bragg's "Help Save the Youth of America" that needs to be heard to be believed.

- Sam Thompson