*** One People

FROM WITHIN

(One Records)

The Boston-based multi-racial reggae band One People have been tearing up clubs in the Northeastern states for almost 20 years. Singer/guitarist Mark Jayaprasanna, who came to Boston from Bombay, founded the band in 1981, and after almost a decade of personnel changes, they settled down to the current quintet line-up that includes Japanese percussionist Nori Ikegami and singer/songwriter/guitarist Daddy Marc. Inspired by reggae's first wave, One People have remained true to the roots-rock reggae sound of the early '70s, though they have expanded their palette over the years to incorporate the diverse influences of dancehall, dub, and modern club beats.

From Within kicks off with "Soaking in the Sun," a tune that leaps from ska to dancehall with an intense postpunk energy, compacting the entire history of Jah music into three blistering minutes. Other standouts include the heavy-metal ska of "Pop the Top," a roots-rock reinvention of Sly's "Everyday People," and a medley that combines Bob Marley's "Work" and Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang" into a dancehall jam driven by frantic jungle rhythms and splendid four-part harmonies.

-- J. Poet