*GUEST REVIEW*
Longtime reggae singer Ras Midas beams on the cover of this CD like a man who does indeed have a golden touch. Jamaican-born but presently residing (it would seem) in Northern California, Midas has a mellow, world-weary voice (kind of like Gregory Isaacs or Jimmy Riley) that commands attention in its own understated way, an ideal instrument for the sort of reggae he sings: rooted in consciousness and with a contemporary touch to the riddims. He takes a sagely approach, yearning for "revolutionary love" (love does indeed seem a revolutionary concept these days) on the title track, advising unity on "One Step at a Time" and railing against "Racism," "Neocolonialism" and "Mystery Babylon," always keeping the lyrics wisely simple and above mere finger-pointing. The songs are layered with bright keyboard accents, female harmony vocals and occasional unexpected hooks like the flute that pokes through the melody of "Such a Long Time." At moments the music sounds a little canned and not in keeping with the natural warmth of Midas's voice, but that natural warmth wins out every time. Reaching Out goes down easy but potent, and gets better with repeated listening.

- Tom Orr