Victory: The Mystery Unfolds (Jah Light Music, 2007)

*GUEST REVIEW*
Not a new artist, Mark Wonder has reportedly got a few albums under his belt. They weren't widely distributed, though, so he's new to me and may be to you as well. If so, we've all been missing out. Wonder is a strong singer and songwriter with a conscious perspective and he hits hard with an album of modern roots that never lags. His clear, concisely elastic voice blazes authoritatively through such declarations as "So Much War," "We Shall Overcome," and the title track. He easily navigates some R&B flavoring ("Smile with the World"), tackles a ballad in style ("Rainbow") and absolutely sizzles on songs that sport a mid-tempo sway characteristic of classic '70s reggae ("Kingston City," "Thy Children Cry"). Indeed, the guy has such great pipes that the guest spots by Lutan Fyah and Anthony B seem almost obtrusive, and the modern riddims don't always do justice to his singing. Consider those very minor gripes, though. You don't have to be clear on what the "Mystery" part of the title is all about to know that this CD is a hands-down
victory for reggae music.

-Tom Orr