ALBUM DESCRIPTION

Perhaps you didn't hear his solo debut "A New Beginning," or maybe you missed his "Outta Belize" compilation, if so, this album demands your attention. Returning with an ambitious sophomore set, artist/producer Mikal give us "Just Being Me."

Just one listen to songs like "More" and "Good News" and it is clear that this is the best that Belize has to offer. As a front-runner on the Belizean gospel reggae scene, Mikal is setting the pace for the rest. He honestly sounds like no one else. I guess that's why he calls the album "Just Being Me." And he does so in good company. This time around he brings in hired guns like Monty G (Dead Already), Mr. Lynx (Good News), and DJ Counsellor (Rock of My Life). Talk about an entourage! He even managed to hook Nashville rapper Know Da Verbs on the album for the brilliantly produced "Don't Give Up"--What a combination!

True to form in the Belizean gospel scene, the album colors outside the genre of traditional gospel reggae (dancehall/roots/culture). On songs like "Dust to Dust" (Feat. Singer Nuru) and "It Is Mine" (Feat. Supa G. Reckless, Lady Indi & Sheldon), Mikal throws some Punta flavor into the mix with tremendous results. For those who don't know what Punta is, it is a genre of music indigenous to Belize derived in part from the Garifuna people. Punta sounds like a hyper-percussive mix of soca, Latin and African music.

With three punta/soca tunes, four dancehall cuts, three raggamuffin Hip Hop songs and five roots & culture tracks, Mikal delivers a well-rounded production. While this CD may be diverse in sound, it is unified in purpose. Let's face it, as a preacher's kid you HAVE TO know the Word and Mikal knows it inside and out. This injects his songs with so much light that his listeners are sure to grow in their knowledge of the Word.

Mikal has done it again with a veritable who's who of special guest appearances by gospel reggae all-stars like Monty G, Sherwin Gardner, Mr. Lynx, and DJ Counsellor. With crisp production and energetic songs of substance, this album is unquestionably the best that Belize has to offer when it comes to Gospel Reggae. Expect a lot more from this guy and his production house!

Avoiding the sophomore slump is something that most gospel reggae artists struggle with, but in Mikal's case, he shines on his glowing second release "Just Being Me" order your copy today. And while you are at it, check out his "A New Beginning" debut and "Outta Belize" compilation and see what you missed!