Around the World (Fourth Dimonsion, 2002)

Coming straight out of Southern Florida, the band Fourth Dimension has a sound reflective of their multi-cultural environment.  They sing in both Spanish and English and throw in musical styles ranging from roots reggae, lovers rock, ska and dancehall to soca, rock 'n roll, and hip-hop.  This is the true definition of "world music."  As a reggae fan, though, it took me a while to get a get a handle of the group's sound.  Around the World starts with the fairly straightforward roots tracks "Kings Highway" and "Bongo Tamer" (the later incorporating some rock guitar riffs), then "Dura" switches to dancehall mode, followed by the rock and rap sound of "Fourth Dimension" and the kinetic soca of the title cut.  Only by the sixth track, the uber-catchy "Cha Cha," does the album seem to settle into the reggae sound that represents most of its content.  Following it are a funky, Eddy Grant-like cover of Genesis's "Land of Confusion," the romantic lovers tune "Real Love," the regal dub "4th Dubmension," and the organ-propelled roots number "Dime."  Once I got a firm grasp of Fourth Dimension's sound and the fact that they are primarily a reggae act, I felt more free to enjoy their buoyant sound.  Despite having only four members, they have a remarkably big, full-band sound that can get any party started.  "Kings Highway" in particular is a wonderful roots anthem, and while diehard reggae fans may not get into the other-genre elements on about four of the tracks, it doesn't really detract from the strong reggae cuts.  And if you do like some spice in your reggae, Fourth Dimension's got it.  You can check them out at 4thdimension.org.