Black Attack (Issachar, 2000)

Dancehall singer Sugar Black has worked for years in relative obscurity, occasionally catching a sliver of exposure on compilations like Spliff Relief (a stellar set, by the way).  Sugar Black's songs on this album, "Mr. Babylon" and "Who Says," are excellent examples of why I was so looking forward to Black Attack, his debut solo album.  They are catchy yet righteous, relaxed yet inspirational.   Black Attack doesn't include these two songs, but it does provide glimpses of his talent.  You also get plenty of glimpses of his cronies as well, so many that if you aren't familiar with Sugar Black, you may not recognize who's performing on some songs.  The guest vocalists range from the well-known (Tony Rebel) to the moderately known (Kulcha Knox, Jah Mason) to the "who the hell?" (Leh-Banchuleh, Sandino, Ruby-O), each performing well, although they dilute Sugar Black's impact a bit, making this sound a bit like a compilation (You have to wonder if he isn't used to having the spotlight to himself.).  Another thing that detracts a bit from Black Attack is the song selection.  There are a number of remakes -- almost half of the tracks, in fact -- most of which don't work (The Commodores' "Jesus Is Love" does not work as a reggae song.).  "In the Fallin' Rain," a cover of Kool & The Gang's "No Show," and the R&B jam "African Girl" are the only adapted tunes that carry their weight.  Still, once you pass the marginal covers, you get to the sweet center of this album, featuring conscious, often rootsy dancehall driven by Sugar Black's airy vocals, comparable to Mikey General or Wayne Wonder (There's probably a better comparison, but I can't think of it now.).  Highlights include "Do You," the touching tribute "Better Days," "The New Millennium" (which rides the hip-hop rhythm from Bounty Killer's "Look"), the emotional "Let Jah Be Praised," and probably my favorite cut, "Here I Am," a jam with a crossover UB40-ish vibe that is simply irresistible; it just sounds like a hit.