MACKA B: Roots Ragga

RAS

There's an awful lot of good dancehall coming out lately, and this is one of the better efforts. Macka B is a gruff-voiced roughneck from the U.K., whose lyrics really stand him out from the crowd. He has a command of the language and wide-ranging topical interests to match those of the best American rappers. Even though I could go the rest of my life without hearing another song about Jah, I have to respect Mr. B's stands against unemployment, apartheid and Big Macs. These tunes were recorded live, an anomoly in a music as technoheaded as dancehall, but the lack of studio trippery leaves more room for the big bass grooves, and even an American from the South can understand the lyrics. This will grow on you. (Pat Anders)

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