Anthony B – So Many Things
VP Records

The trinity is complete.

The conscious/Selassie movement has entrenched itself as a staple in Dancehall culture, but despite of a wealth of tunes deeply rooted in Rastafari culture, only Capleton and Buju Banton have separated themselves from the pack of DJ's looking for words to rhyme with "Selassie." Anyone who knows of the holy Rasta trinity of Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey and Prince Immanuel would reason that a trio of DJ's would mirror the paths of these religious icons.

Enter Anthony B.

With all the suddenness of a divine thunderbolt, Anthony burst onto the dancehall scene in 1995 with the uncompromising "Fire Pon Rome." Naming names and taking no prisoners, Anthony B instantly became a ghetto hero for his fearless assault of Jamaica's upper class. The government's banning of the tune from the national airwaves only added to his growing legend. At an electrifying performance at Sting 95, Anthony B stepped confidently out of the shadow of Capleton and stole the show from many more established performers.

With So Many Things..., the young Rasta's first album, Anthony B establishes himself as the third pillar of the dancehall's DJ conscience. VP Records, however, apparently has no clue what a gem they have on their hands. They released So Many Things... without fanfare in the wake of the /Bounty/Beenie/Strictly The Best hype. Anthony B's tome is more focused, consistent, inspired and (arguably) better than any of VP's big 3.

"Fire Pon Rome" is here, of course, along with local hits "Hurt The Heart" and "Raid The Barn." what's refreshing about So Many Things, though, is the fact that most of these songs are new. A Dancehall album that doesn't sound like a greatest-hits compilation is a rare thing indeed. And the new songs don't sound like filler, either. Each and every one of these tracks is a potential smash. Special kudos go to StarTrail's production team; replete with shakers, kete drums and horns that seem to be foreshadowing Armageddon itself, So Many Things is a rhythmic delight.

Anthony B opens So Many Things with a Buju-esque acapella intro. "This Notion" is one of the many parallels that Anthony B shares with the other two points of this conscious triangle, but there are enough innovative and independent themes and concepts to make So Many Things unique. Anthony B is blessed with an emotional range that is far deeper than Capleton's fire-and-brimstone passion, more personal than Buju's global truths. It is a happy medium, a niche that only he occupies.

Refreshingly, So Many Things is completely devoid of foreign-minded crossover aspirations. In fact, the album is so fiercely local that some tracks may alienate non-Jamaicans. Who is this Matalon and Azan mentioned on "Fire Pon Rome?" The album is rife with regional references, but with the possible exception of "Fire Pon Rome," you'll get the point.

So Many Things is also notable for the first post mortem Garnett Silk release of any substance. "World In Trouble," is a global reflection in the same vein as Bob Marley's "So Much Trouble In The World." It's not nearly as good as Bob's, but what is? So Many Things also continues Dancehall music's love affair with US folk singer Tracy Chapman. "Cold Feet" joins "Fast Car" and "Sorry" in the raggafied Chapman catalogue. "Cold Feet" is the first Chapman cover by a DJ, however, and Anthony B pulls it off remarkably well.

THE VERDICT: By the time you get around to unadulterated passion of "Bun Down Sodom" and the album's brilliant, meditative closer "Prophecy Ah Reveal," Anthony B's place among the DJ trinity is assured. Like Anthony B says, "without the trinity/Life couldn't go on." So put Til Shiloh, Prophecy, and So Many Things in your CD player, set it on random, and live life. My lawwwd.