Keep It Real (Mighty Roots, 2006)

Englishman may be the hardest working reggae artist you've never heard. Either individually or as part of a team, he's released over 20 albums to date (practically all available at www.cdbaby.com). One of his most frequent incarnations is as lead singer (and bassist) of Shango Band, the Washington DC-based act that has gained much respect in the area over the years. Their newest release, Keep It Real, should only enhance their reputation, packing a wollop with 18 full-length tracks (and one interlude). It's hard not to find something to like here; it all has a very likable, relaxed sound, blending roots with light, old school dancehall and a bit of lovers rock. Englishman's vocals are likewise uniquely appealing, ranging from a smooth Sugar Minott flow to a throwback U Roy-like vibe. Standout tracks include the rousing "Calling the Youth" to the call-out of liars on "Eyes Is the Window" to the tale of woe that is "Stranded" to "Day and Night," whose funk belies the sufferers' theme. The only real complaint on Keep It Real is the sound quality; the mix feels a bit uneven, with the vocals at time overpowering the music, and the overall sound at times becomes a bit piercing. Still, the music is sweet enough to overcome any technical glitches.

Paying Tribute Part 2: Reggae Jazz Jam Session (Mighty Roots, 2006)

The content of this latest offering from the Shango Band is pretty much what the title implies: a reggae/jazz fusion dedication to past classics of both genres. Unless you're a real musicphile, you probably won't recognize all of this material -- although there are familiar tunes, such as Dennis Brown's "Revolution," Bob Marley's "Crazy Baldheads" (here titled "Chase"), the Dave Brubek jazz classic "Take 6," Roberta Flack's "The First Time (Ever I Saw Your Face)," the Mission Impossible theme (here "Mission"), the standard "Hit the Road Jack" ("Hit the Road"), and even the sappy, oft-covered "Groovy Kind of Love" ("Grovie Love"). Others may sound familiar, but you can't quite put your finger on 'em (would've been nice to include in the liner notes). Most of the tracks have jazzy sax and guitar leads for listeners prefering a smooth sound, but they're also fueled by strong bass lines (courtesy of Englishman) for the edgier crowd. I haven't heard Part 1 of the Paying Tribute series (released in 2001), so I can't say how this stacks up, but "Detective," "Sea Deep," "Professors Piano," and "Stiff Neck" are snappy attention-getters, while the rest makes for fine mood music. Another notch in a remarkably consistent, if not overwhelming, run for Englishman and the Shango Band.