Linton Kwesi Johnson (LKJ as he's known in the biz) is an amazing songwriter. And, this makes sense, as he's one of the great reggae voices of our time. However, he's also renowned as one of the great poetic voices, one of the great prophetic voices of the Caribbean diaspora. LKJ is a "dub" poet, writing in a combination of reggae spirit and lyrical verse. Influenced by libertarian Marxism and black nationalism, LKJ's work reflects the often brutal reality of life for working class blacks in Britain today.

His work is written in Jamaican Creole, which Russell Banks, in his introduction to Johnson's new book, Mi Revalueshanary Fren (which includes an audio CD), describes as "a language created out of hard necessity by African slaves from 17th-century British English and West African, mostly Ashanti, language groups with a lexical admixture from the Caribe and Arawak natives of the island."

This book is hands down spectacular. It demands close reading, as Creole is, for most of us, not a common dialect, and it rewards, in turn, such a reading. The poems are heavily rhythmic, repeating lines and emphases in such a way as to make them almost chantable rather than merely readable. In fact, the book is best suited to be read out loud — after all, that's why these poems were initially made. And, when read to the accompaniment of LKJ's own voice on the enclosed CD... you're in for an invigorating experience!

The poems are heavily political, paying tribute to people and events in black British and international history that many of us know little or nothing about. As such, Johnson's work truly serves the classic Marxist role of a tribune of the people, spreading consciousness of historical events and ideas in such a way as to make them accessible to all comers. Call it poetry in the service of the revolution.

Whether paying tribute to his own mentors, such as the Trinidadian Marxist and cultural critic CLR James, exploring the intricacies of post-Soviet socialist history and development, or remembering the Brixton uprising of April, 1981, LKJ is exciting and energetic, fusing serious ideas with an unbelievably rousing poetic style.

"Yout Rebels"

a bran new breed of blacks
have now emerged,
leadin on the rough scene,
breakin away
takin the day,
sayin to capital nevah
movin fahwod evah.

they can only be
new in age
but not in rage,
not needin
the soft and
shallow councilin
of the soot-brained
sage in chain;
wreckin thin-shelled words
movin always fahwod.

young blood
yout rebels:
new shapes
shaping
new patterns
creatin new links
linkin
blood risin surely
carvin a new path,
movin fahwod to freedom.

LKJ is known as the most influential black poet in Britain today. As a matter of fact, he's the first black poet, and only the second living writer to be published in Penguin's distinguished Modern Classics series.