Someday Peace Love & Freedom (Nhojj, 2003)

I debated with myself whether or not to post a review of this album on my site because if I were to look for it in a music store, I wouldn't go to the reggae section. (This isn't to say that it wouldn't be there, since the knee-jerk reaction of many music store workers seems to be to label anyone with dreadlocks as reggae . . . "Let's see. . .Bob Marley. . .Living Colour. . .Lenny Kravitz. . .Tracy Chapman. . .Whoopi Goldberg.")  There are reggae elements four or so tracks, but on the whole, if you want a strictly reggae sound, look elsewhere.  It's a testament to the quality of work on Someday Peace Love & Freedom, then, that I've decided to include it.  Raised in Guyana but now based in New York, Nhojj's musical influences are far-flung -- his idols including the likes of Bob Marley and John Lennon -- with traces of pop, rock, R&B, gospel, folk, beat poetry, and yes, even reggae.  If anything, I'd group him with the so-called neo-soul movement of recent years, as he reminds me of a cross between the whispery falsetto of Maxwell, the acoustic folk of Tracy Chapman, and the soulful light rock of Terrence Trent D'arby.  Whatever you choose to label it, however, it is placid, enveloping music.  While I don’t dare dictate the path of Nhojj's career, since this is a reggae site, I'd be remiss if I didn't state that if he pumped up the reggae quotient and became a true reggae artist, he could cause quite a few ripples and develop a sizable following in the reggae community (which is about as viable a commodity as it's ever been).  While in the world of R&B, I fear he'll continue to face comparisons to the likes of Maxwell, in the reggae realm, he'd be a rather rare bird.  His soft, soulful, borderline effeminate voice alone separates him from the pack, the closest comparable reggae artist being perhaps Ghost (though Ghost is a lot more grating).  Nhojj's voice is often an instrument in itself, as he often downplays instrumentation in favor of layer upon layer of rich vocals (see "Peace").  Plus, he wouldn't have to abandon his strumming guitar sound to produce a reggae album, as artists like Screwdriver, Mishka, and Qshan Dia have shown.  Even poetry like his "A New Me" can be easily translated to the dub poetry style of Mutabaruka, Oku Onuora, and Linton Kwesi Johnson.  The power of the reggae-colored tunes on Someday -- "Hold On," the lyrically vivid "The Beggar’s Cup," "Fighting for Love" (featuring the most ostensible reggae rhythm), and "Lost/Found" -- provide only a taste of what could be if Nhojj commits fully to this sound.  As it is, Someday is solidly engaging, but ultimately it will be disappointing if you're searching for a reggae album. See more at nhojj.com.