Friends for Life
With the release ofFriends For Life, Buju Banton’s well-publicized switch from popular dancehall thug to the enlightened "Voice of Jamaica" is now a decade old. Just into his 30s, Banton continues on with the positive tip as he rails against guns ("Mr. Nine"), advocates safe sex ("Get It On"), and exhorts people to be stand up for their rights ("Up Ye Mighty Race"). Of course the rascal still loves the ladies,and there’re several songs that toast the fairer sex here. The band sounds great throughout – reggae legend Sly Dunbar plays drums on several tracks -- and it’s this live unit that truly diversifies Banton’s dancehall sound, generally taking the music places it needs to go for the singer’s universal message to be an effective one. From the bouncy cover of Peter Tosh’s "Mama Africa" to the ominous dancehall groove of "Paid Not Played,"Friends For Lifeproves that Banton is at the top of his increasingly well-rounded game.--Tad Hendrickson