Jahmings Maccow & E-Rif, New Way (© 1999 Liquid Cyber Recordings)

Far be it from me to call myself a know-it-all, and when it comes to reggae, well, it's probably a category on Jeopardy where I wouldn't win too much cash. Yet there's something calming about that reggae beat, the chinking of the guitar chords on the 2 and the 4, that just relaxes you. Jahmings Maccow, who has been around in various shades and forms since the late '70s, offers a disc that isn't full-blown reggae either, with some R&B, jazz, even hip-hop inflections and nuances, all popping up here and there. There are some beautiful moments with female backing vocals as well, as on the title track, for instance. And, who knows, maybe reggae purists will scoff at the various styles here, but hey, I like it. It calms me, and if you want to chill a bit, trow da disc on mon. www.rebelsproduction.com