Aashid Himons, who helped pioneer "Blu-Reggae"-- the fusion of Blues and Reggae in the late '70s in Pittsburgh and then Nashville--has documented the evolution of this style of music with his band Afrikan Dreamland on The Leaders, their new double CD. The recordings have been six years in the making. The thread throughout the 25 songs is Aashid's powerful voice and the conscious lyrics.

The Leaders was conceived in Seattle during a late 1970s Bob Marley performance, born in Pittsburgh some 10 years later, then raised to fruition in Nashville in 1995. The Leaders is the dream child of Aashid Himons and the work of his multitalented organization, Afrikan Dreamland.

It is a dream of oneness, set forth by fusing two distinct art forms, Reggae and Blues. Himons calls it "Blu-Reggae." I call it enjoyable, enlightening and entertaining.

Himons' eerily smooth and often plaintive vocalizations perfectly compliment the often thought-provoking lyrics. The album contains varied instrumentations-drum circles to Nyabinghi-like rhythms, Jazz to R&B styles, bouncy Samba to skanking Reggae, love sounds to Dub sounds--it's all here. The subject matter is sometimes fun ("Samba Reggae," "Baby I'm Yours"), other times mystical ("I Touch the Stars"), but most often straightforward and serious ("The Next Man's Army," "Womahood," "USA," "Black Folks").

Reggae music has crossed all borders, a fact well-recognized by those following the evolution of this divinely inspired art form. To committed Reggae fans, this album is a must have item. The Leaders is a double CD packaged in an economically and enviromentally friendly single-sized jewel case. The 25 tracks are 115 minutes of a variety of styles.

This is one of those rare albums in which every song demands being heard.