Degree – Degree
VP Records

Cardiff "Degree" Butt may have dropped the 'General' from his stage name, but don't consider it a demotion. Dancehall's most underrated DJ has delivered one of the most consistent and well-crafted albums of the year.

Dedicated almost exclusively to male-female relations, Degree stands out for its solid rhythms, lyrics and lack of misogyny. Women in Degree's world are admired, pursued, lusted after, but always spoken to as equals. It's a refreshing change.

Equally exhilarating is the fact that this is exclusively a Dancehall album. There is no hip-hop remix, no crossover attempt.Degree's most radio-friendly song, "Touch You Again," is accessible in the same way that Terror Fabulous' "Action" was -- lively beats, catchy lyrics and a sultry duet partner.

Stand-out tracks on Degree are "Carbon Copy," one of the better bad bwoy tracks in recent memory; "Limited Edition," the best tune cut on the 'copy-cat' rhythm; and "Woh Woh" a spirited ode to the sexy Dancehall ladies out there.

Strangely enough, Degree's only drawback is its homogeneity. The songs are all very good, but none are dazzling. All the tracks dwell in the same shallow waters of male-female relations. There are no love songs, however, just basic 'I want you/you want me/ hang on to your man/women look good, etc.' "Carbon Copy" is the sole exception. It's hard to appreciate the heights that Degree takes you, because the surrounding terrain is all the same.

THE VERDICT: It's all good, but it's not fantastic. Degree goes down smooth, but it doesn't leave an aftertaste. In Dancehall music, we need a little something to remember you by.