History: Past & Present (RAS, 1996)

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from this album, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a decent dub poetry work which, though lacking in strong, emotional vocals, recoups any losses by providing solid backing music.  The title History: Past & Present couldn't be more appropriate, as Brown -- an active and respected Rastafarian elder who has even run for Prime Minister of Jamaica -- traces the history of man from Creation through the Gulf War.  He leaves no space between songs, so as to create one long poem that rarely even pauses; the tracks change as the music changes.  Brown's craggy, monotone voice won't likely captivate a lot of people, but the detailed historical teachings provide occasionally intriguing moments (especially if you're interested in history).  The real stars of History, however, are the musicians.  The music is written by Roots Radics members Carl Ayton and Dwight Pinkney, who ensure a pleasant journey with funky bass and horn-driven roots and some bouncy, ska-like tracks -- the latter, however, clashing with Brown's lethargic vocals, are nonetheless enjoyably jazzy.  As with many of the dub poetry albums I've heard, I would've enjoyed History at least as much if it had been a straight dub album, sans the poetry.