Exalt Jah

Album Review

Mikey General made a series of noteworthy singles for the British Fashion label in the 1980s, then moved to Philip "Fatis" Burrell's Xterminator label, where he hooked up with soon-to-be superstar Luciano. The two singers left Xterminator to form their own Qabalah First label, which brings us to Exalt Jah. On this album, Mikey General is joined by guests that include Luciano, Adigun Minkah and Turbulence for a modestly enjoyable but not really outstanding set of modern roots-and-culture songs. Accompanied mostly by a rhythm section centered around drummer George Miller and bassist Donald Dennis (though Sly & Robbie put in an appearance, as do Mafia & Fluxy), General phones it in on the sloppy "Pretty City," and wimps out on the overly laid-back "Fly Away, Runaway." When he gets energized on "In Times Like These," it causes him to lose track of the chords and start singing painfully off-key. But there are bright spots, notably "Red Ina Rome" (a combination track with Luciano), and the muscular "Love Chant." Unfortunately, those are not enough to redeem what is ultimately a rather lackluster effort from a talented singer who has done considerably better in the past.