Resistance

Big Mountain is the first North American reggae band to find both commercial success (its remake of Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way" was a 1994 hit) and artistic acceptance (the California sextet has played such major festivals as Reggae on the River and such major tours as Reggae Sunsplash). On this album, "Resistance," Big Mountain showcases the handsome tenor of lead singer Quino and the springy guitar figures of Jamaican ringer Tony Chin. Unfortunately, the lyrics reduce populist politics to cheerful, Sesame Street-like slogans ("Know Your Culture," "Love Is the Only Way"), while the arrangements dilute Bob Marley's original roots reggae to the easy-listening pop reggae of the Third World, especially on the remake of the Youngbloods' "Get Together." Resistance is full of good intentions but weak rhythm tracks. --Geoffrey Himes