We find ourselves with an influx of music by new artists, returning artists, local artists and new-to-the-country artists.

Unfortunately, the result of this is that many great bands are unable to find their niche in the flooded marketplace, regardless of talent.

Even when they do, many listeners are more comfortable with an artist they have heard of, rather than an unknown.

Hopefully, Ramez Iskander finds his niche and his audience.

He’s got legitimate talent, which is rare in an industry so thoroughly inundated by mindless pop music made bearable to listen to only thanks to computer enhanced tracks and tremendous production values.

If you enjoy the folk-reggae genre and can grab a copy, Iskander’s Wake Up and Dream is an album worth looking into.

From the start, Wake Up and Dream has a very calm and collected pace. None of the songs have a rhythm, beat or tempo that’s jarring.

Of the six tracks on the CD, no two songs sound alike for more than four seconds.

Odds are good you have yet to hear of Iskander.

After graduating in 2002 from the University of Florida, he began to pursue a love of music and more specifically, the guitar.

He played at various college and downtown Orlando venues in the area until 2004, when he went abroad.

His fan base steadily began to grow.

This culminated in a three-year tour of England, Switzerland and Germany.

During this time Iskander also played with former Bob Marley and the Wailers guitarist, Junior Marvin, as well as Swiss guitarist Daniel Kandelbauer.

While on that tour, Iskander made this album, with some of the songs originally produced by an independent German label and played on European radio stations.

The only real issue with the album is that it’s only six tracks long.

By the time you have found comfort in Wake Up and Dream, the album is over, which can be a pretty big disappointment when listening to an artist for the first time.

It’s usually a good thing when listening to an artist leaves you wanting more, but with Iskander’s album, it’s more due to the limited number of tracks.

Imagine eating a delicious, nourishing meal, but having the waiter snatch it away when you’re only half done.

While Wake Up and Dream might not be the best album, it is still very far from the worst.

The arrangements are present, as is the variety. The only real issue is the abbreviated length.

Yet, this is an artist worth checking out. A few of his songs are available on his website, ramezmusic.com.