Cross-Breed (Silver Kamel, 2004)

A true man of the world, up-and-coming sing-jay Nemo lived in Venice, Paris and London before emigrating to Jamaica in 2000.  Four years later, he was discovered by producer Jah Thomas, and the result is Cross-Breed, Nemo's debut album.  Despite being a "white bwoy," Nemo is making a name for himself in the Jamaican dancehall scene, earning him the nickname Cross-Breed because of his white skin but black sound.  His vocals are airy and somewhat nasal and though I resist comparing him to Snow, he does have a somewhat similar voice.  Nemo's style is more unique, however; it's a throwback to the early '80s sing-jay sound of Johnny Osbourne, Eek A Mouse, and the like (as opposed to the more modern sing-jay sound of Sizzla, Buju Banton, etc.).  Cross-Breed even incorporates a healthy dose of vintage rhythms (such as those used on the Heptones' "Soul & Power,"  Dennis Brown's "Love Me Forever" and Triston Palmer's "Entertainment") -- some more familiar than others -- thanks to producer Thomas and a who's who of backing musicians, from Roots Radics to Sly & Robbie to Mafia & Fluxy.  "Blah, Blah, Blah," the lead single, is an immediately captivating jam and is surrounded by solid numbers like "Don't Fuss With Us," "No More Tears," "Messenger," the ganja dedications "Collie Meditation" and "Highest Grade," and "Personne," one of several tunes where Nemo switches into French.  It's unusual for Silver Kamel to release such new material, but with its throwback sound, Cross-Breed fits quite nicely into the label's line-up of vintage tunes (see silverkamel.com).  It's truly a case of what's old is new again, and Nemo is a new name to look out for in the future.