Big Mountain - Wake Up (1992)

Big Mountain's pop-inflected reggae sound is so bouncy and cheerful that parts of WAKE UP might remind listeners of a Jah-flavored Beach Boys. On "Reggae Inna Summertime," Big Mount evokes images of ocean waves and sparkling sands, with "Spanglish" lyrics and dancing mallet instruments to suggest a light-hearted romantic ambience. With its gospel-flavored choruses and slippery backbeat, "Peaceful Revolution" suggests the positive spiritual imagery of Bob Marley and Arrested Development, even as songs like "Back In The Hills" depict the righteous indignation of traditional reggae with a lyrical guitar break reminiscent of vintage Santana. It is preceisely these pancultural elements that set WAKE UP apart from much of mainstream reggae and give Big Mountain a truly international appeal.