Stronger Rastaman (VP, 1996)

What's the biggest difference between Mikey General and Luciano?  I'd say several hundred thousand records sold.  A crony of Luciano, the UK-born Mikey General has a similar rootsy dancehall sound (aided by producer Phillip "Fattis" Burrell, who has also done much of Luciano's material), but thus far, he has failed to garner the popularity that his friend achieved during the '90s.  Stronger Rastaman passed with little fanfare in 1995, while at the same time, Luciano was riding the wave of his international smash Where There Is Life.  However, listening to them side by side, I find Mikey General's album to be the "stronger" (pun intended) of the two.  Neither of them contains particularly stellar rhythms (and some music is shared between the two), but while Luciano's melodies and lyrics sometimes veer into the range of what can be termed "corny," "sappy," and just too positive and sweet, Mikey General maintains a strong, more (yet still not very) militant, less annoying style.  His vocals may be less appealing to some than Luciano's rich baritone -- his voice is light and a bit thin, somewhat like a mix between Wayne Wonder and Horace Andy -- but the material that he brings to the table is often superior.  "Deh Pon Dem" and "Jah Is My Friend" are my favorites on Stronger Revolution, while "I Know I Love You," "Many Have Fallen," "Tired of It," "I'll Never Be Ashamed," and "Woman of Israel" are all solid.  So, why is Luciano more popular than Mikey General?  I can't begin to explain popular taste, but Luciano's vocals probably have something to do with it, along with the fact that he managed to break into the worldwide limelight with his hit "It's Me Again Jah" -- a break Mikey General has yet to get.