Pancho Krystal (Scratchie, 1997)

I was a little scared of this album when I got it.  Name and image aside (White suit and a wicker chair?  What is he, the 7-Up guy?), I had heard one song from Pancho Krystal (AKA Kryztal) -- the solid dancehall number "Black Girl," included on Scratchie Records' (formed in part by members from Smashing Pumpkins) Jam Down Vibrations compilation.  I was thus surprised to hear that, unlike "Black Girl," his debut album is largely comprised of hip-hop and R&B reggae hybrids (although born in Jamaica, he is based in Chicago).  This can be a risky style for listeners, but Pancho Krystal has some very enjoyable tunes that are worth a listen, and it definitely deserved more attention than it received in the US.  His songs are comparable in style to Rayvon or Born Jamericans, and like Rayvon, he is adept at both singing and DJing.  Only three or four of the songs here are dancehall, the best being the sultry "Ms. Minn Su."  The version of "Black Girl" included is not the dancehall version, but rather a slower, more hip-hop/R&B mix that is inferior, yet still OK.  The non-dancehall tunes are actually the most compelling -- in particular, the surprisingly well crafted trio of soothing R&B love songs, "Real Love," "Ghetto Love," and "Stay On My Mind."  Strong melodies, appealing vocals, and alternately cool, sexy, and touching vibes characterize these quality tracks.  Of course, these 3 in particular beg the question, "Is this reggae?"  Does the mere fact that the singer of a song is traditionally a reggae singer make the song reggae, even though the music is straight R&B/hip-hop?  Pancho Krystal certainly doesn't sing in a distinctively "reggae style" that would make you call this reggae if you didn't know who was singing (The chatting would tip you off, however.).  These three cuts would fit well in the so-called "Neo-soul" movement of the mid-'90s, alongside artists such as Maxwell, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Eric Benet, Tony Rich, and Rahsaan Patterson.  Krystal could actually have a future if he focused on this style fully, or if he took the songwriting talent that produced the three great tunes and focused it more on the reggae genre.  Either way, he could be a force to reckon with.