How can the musical style of former Junior Rankin, now Eljai, be described in the reggae genre? He is a blazing vocalist with harmonic phrasing that rivals the best of Dennis Brown and Eventon Blender. But more so, the new album, Da Rebirth, from this star of reggae music is a tribute to all the young rising reggae vocalists that has emerged on the scene today. He is a bridge between the Bunny Wailers and the Jah Cures—the junction between the reggae of old and that of the new.

The beginning track of this fully compact album kicks off with a stimulating love ballad, Angel of Mine, where Eljai presents a beautiful vocal rendition of a Maxi Priest like feel within a melodic Lovers Rock style. The music plays a sophisticated sound of drums, bass and horns that rocks like a typical Beres Hammond. The track will touch the loving spirit of any reggae loving audience.

Separate Lives captures a rhythm and blues vocal phrasing that brings to mind Stevie Wonder at his best. In this second reggae ballad, Eljai, reminisces lead vocalist Rugs from Third World, and makes you realize how bluesy Reggae can feel. In part of his vocal serenading he makes you also feel some John Holt and many others that do reggae ballads this way. Here in this one, Gary Herbig, blows a bluesy soprano sax.

The third love ballad, I Just Wanna Know, is definitely a treat for the ladies with its sexy intro of Eljai’s stylish vocals on top of a Spanish flamingo like acoustic guitar played by Steve Verhault. The track celebrates the best of the reggae balladeers like Freddie McGregor and Gyption. Love is all over this one with its choppy clavinet sound played over such awesome choral in the background vocals.

In the fourth track of a new movement in this thirteen-song album, Eljai’s rebel yell wails out: Blessed, like a prophet calling and warning. The Roots Rock Reggae tune gives thanks and praises to the One—Jah, over all. His soulful lyrics erupts fire and brimstone on the wicked in a chant down Babylon style, typical to that of Bob Marley’s Crazy Ballhead and Steel Pulse’s Handsworth Revolution. The song in its message and tone also depicts the Bobo Shanti youth and those contemporary artists like Warrior King who continues to sing the Rasta anthem.

The fifth track follows the tradition of Rastafarian musical folklore of condemning immorality and a call to the sufferer—the downtrodden and the dispossess black masses of the earth to, Wise Up, and stop the self-destruction. The horns play tight in precision.

The self- reflection message track, Look Into Your Heart, is a wake up call to world youth to do the right thing and reap righteousness. Pulling this one from Morgan Heritage’s vocal quality, Eljai writes deep and thoughtful verses worthy of a redemption song around a melodic chorus line. Bassist Fabian Cooke’s pumps a deep bass bottom and legendary ex-Peter Tosh drummer Santa Davis counters in the pocket.

 Then up comes Eljai in display of his incredible song writing skills in Down In The Wilderness. The vocals without a doubt is second to none—epitomizes Bushman’s mourning vocal phrasing. The lyrics openly ‘bunfire’ on wickedness and glides across an Augusto Pablo style dub rhythm.

Jah Give U Joy, resurrects the soulful touch of Bunny Wailer and whips up a spongy reggae beat with bass and drum driving the rhythm across a symphonic bed of horns and strumming rhythm guitar. Eljai’s vocals scants and recites his melodic phrasing about “look to the East, I say, for the coming of a black king.” Cooke and Davis’s jamming on this track, reminisce and honor the wailing sound of the ‘Wailing Wailers’.

Eljai pays tribute to the martyrs, and proves to his fold that he can hold his own in key and harmony in Handwriting On The Wall. The song is a tribute to the original Prince of Reggae Music and a gem in the global reggae community. An original of Dennis Brown, nostalgia engulfs the soul when Eljai sings this song.

Open Your Eyes is a ‘rocking’ dancehall jam that crosses over to Shabba and Buju. It embraces the unique musical qualities of Barrington Levi and shows what a great vocal stylist Eljai is.

The spiritual depth of what went into this album is exemplified in the song, If Only. This is Eljai’s version to the world of Marley’s Redemption Song and sung with such sincerity and compassion in solidarity with the world’s suffering peoples. In accompaniment of Verhault acoustic guitar playing, his vocal range puts a spin on Luciano and shows that this brother can sing.

Two ending tracks, Forever and More Higher, are the climax to this brilliantly produced project. One is a song about lovers that can jump-start any ‘bashment’. It is laced with Eljai’s romantic vocal style. The other, a somewhat hip-hop tune with a dancehall mix, can be termed the album’s celebration theme. It showcases his ability to sing lead in the accompaniment of rappers.

All in all, the songs have become the first of a very promising solo career in the rebirth of Belize’s Lloyd Carlton McFarlane, Jr. He sang lead for the band Belize, formerly Bamiki Bandula, which featured the McGregor brothers, Carl and Delly, on bass and drums. The band was later signed to Warner Brothers where they wrote and released, I’m Looking For You, and the theme for the television show, Real Stories of the Highway Patrol.

Da Rebirth, enjoyed the artistry of top caliber musicians like horn players, Mike Daigeau, Gary Herbig and Mike McGuffey. Natasha Pierce and April Weller did background vocals, while Drew Scott, Peter Pan, Fabian Cooke and Jawge Huges played keyboards. Steve Verhault and Fabian Cook played guitars and Cook played bass as well. Santa Davis played drums. All the tracks were produced and arranged by Fabian Cook and mix by Carl McGregor.