Prophecy (Artists Only!, 2001)

Screwdriver, AKA Dalton Lindo (no relation to the multi-generational musical Lindo family, I don't think), performs a remarkable feat on Prophecy: he puts forth a truly unique style that straddles genres in and out of the reggae sound...and it works!  Now, granted, if you're like me, you may have to listen to this album several times to appreciate Screwdriver's talent (say, if Screwdriver formed a group with Pliers, Pinchers, Lady Saw, and Hammer...uh, never mind).  Initially, I found this material refreshing in overall sound, but uneven in content -- at best, trend-setting; at worst, a Wyclef Jean-like mess.  But more and more, the songs steadily grew on me to the point where I couldn't deem any of them as bad, and most I felt were actually quite good, great even.  What sets Screwdriver apart from other conscious singers is the fact that he features a steady dose of acoustic guitar in his songs (as if you couldn't tell from the cover).  Some tunes have a standard hiccupping reggae rhythm with a slight guitar background, while others forego the standard sound for a focus on the folksy guitar.  I'm tempted to compare Screwdriver's sound to that of Mishka -- for both rely heavily on acoustic guitars -- but while Mishka tends to sound like he's trying to imitate Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" or "Time Will Tell," Screwdriver seems to be forging his own niche (I'm not sure if his debut album Let Me Remind You had a similar sound.).  At times, he can have a worldly Lucky Dube or Jimmy Cliff vibe (as on the melancholy "Them a Talk"), at other times his more typical reggae sound can resemble Prince Malachi (as on "Reason"), and at other times, his pop-folk-roots sound is unlike any other artist that comes to mind.  Songs like the anti-violence ballad "What We Gonna Do" may smack of pop a bit too much for some tastes, but Screwdriver's impassioned vocals -- as heartfelt and genuine as I've heard in a while -- carries you through the slow points of this album.  I'm more apt to compare Prophecy to Bim Sherman's Miracle -- a cohesive, refreshing and unique fusion of worldly styles that manages to remain true in its heart to its roots reggae pedigree.