Bounty Hunter

After the controversial <i>My Weapon</i>, Ninjaman only upped the ante on this follow-up. On the powerful "Permit to Bury", his half-spoken, half-chanted vocal has a threatening tone over equally tough, brittle electronic beats. But he branches out from hard-edged dancehall into old-school reggae on "Set Me Free", with a smooth, Gregory Isaacs-style lovers-rock vocal. "Serious Time" is the album's most surprising track, with lyrics calling for peace and calm; Ninjaman and longtime rival Shabba Ranks sound like old pals as they trade verses.