Four years after the album ‘Signs’, Bushman returns with perhaps his best work to date. ‘Get In Your Mind’ is less of an album, more a collection of singles, which many Bushman fans will be familiar with. This shouldn’t take anything away from the tracks included on this release. Instead this album should remind the reggae world just how important an artist Bushman is. The quality of Bushman’s work has always been remarkably consistent and in general can’t be criticized.

The album contains a wealth of quality music. Stand-out tracks have to include ‘Scent of a Man’, which was written and produced by Joe Gibbs’ son, Stephen ‘Gibbo’ Gibbs. The track is slick and pulsating with an incredible riddim and wonderful horns, all coupled with Bushman’s roaring baritone style. ‘"Nuttin Nah Gwaan’ is a heartfelt, classic sufferer’s tune and ‘Rasta Nuh Dead’ rides the impressive and easily recognisable Good Time riddim.

Similarities have always been made between Bushman and Peter Tosh and included on the album is Bushman’s updated version of Tosh’s classic disco-cut ‘Buk-In-Hamm-Palace’. This is extraordinary - eight minutes of astonishing quality - it could be the Stepper Razor himself.

There are a couple of dancehall tunes included on the release and not being known for my love of dancehall I was a little sceptical. However I must say that ‘Can’t Get the Best of Me’ and ‘Born fi do Ting’ are top class tracks with bouncing, pulsating digital riddims. Bushman rides them effortlessly, switching between chats of Rasta business and singing lyrics of righteous intent with incredible ability - clearly highlighting the versatility of Bushman’s style.

‘Get In Your Mind’ is a quality release, my only complaint is the sometimes soulless feel to the music; a criticism that can be attributed to much modern roots in my opinion. A nice touch is the inclusion of excerpts from an interview with Bushman, making this a worthy addition to any roots collection.

Reviewed JumpUp

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