*GUEST REVIEW*
Netherlands-based M Records and multi-instrumentalist/producer Ryan Moore prove you can have your roots and a contemporary edge as well. While these tracks, scorchers all, are crisp and modern-sounding, the instrumentation is real and the themes cultural. The artists are a mix of longtimers (Fred Locks, Ranking Joe, Admiral Tibet) and more recent comers (Luciano, Lutan Fyah, Mikey General), a cross section of both deejays and singers gracing sharply intricate riddims. Besides the names already dropped, highlights include Queen Ifrica letting loose with tongue-tripping fire on "Stand Up For Righteousness," Natural Black pitting his ominous growl against an aggressive groove tempered by glockenspiel-like sounds on "Are You Ready" and previously-unknown-to-me Brando toasting through "Greater Than Great" and "The Conquering Lion" like a potent holdover from the '70s. Producer Moore plays bass, keys, guitar and percussion at various points, also leaving space for such notable musicians as Sly Dunbar, Style Scott, Chinna Smith, Scully Sims, Mafia and Fluxy, and Dean Fraser to sweeten these spiritually and consciously-minded tracks. An excellent showing by all involved.

- Tom Orr