Kronos Quartet, Hank Williams, Randy Newman, and Herbie Hancock all have lovely box sets. Johnson was born in Jamaica and came of age in England, where racism left an indelible mark on his work. He set out to be a writer but found reggae's thick rhythmic stew provided a perfect match for his arresting spoken-word performances. His songs can cause discomfort, both for their candor and poignancy. Though his subjects push at the edge of sensationalism, he's never exploitative.
Most gangsta rappers dismiss wanton violence with excuses.
I've yet to hear one sound as smart and empathetic as Johnson. Gang of Four's lyrics lack Johnson's personal touch, but they're just as bracing. But when Gang of Four was good, it was very good. Postscript Robbie Hunsinger and Tim McLoraine have found a new space for the adventurous music series they started booking last December at Xoinx Tea Room on Lincoln. When Xoinx closed in August, the pair said they were searching for another venue that was both intimate and affordable.