The internet has reduced the world to pocketsize, resulting, among other things, in the fact that yours truly these days is contacted by artists from just about anywhere wanting some promotion for their latest album. Recently we got a whole package of CDs sent to us by Englishman, a Washington D.C. based self-made musician. Englishman's releases can roughly be divided into three categories: roots & lovers, jazzy instrumentals and dub. For the first two categories he works with the Shangoband and that results in music that is immediately brings to mind bands like Mighty Diamonds or The Tamlins. Unfortunately the production of 'Wise Shepherd' leaves somewhat to be desired, which probably has to do with budget limitations. As mentioned, dub fanatics are also served because on his 'Englishman Dubwise' series Englishman experiments away. For the time being we'd have to put Englishman in the sub-top, but given some time and space in a professional studio he'd undoubtedly rise to a whole different level.