BABY CHAM
How often does a debut album come packaged as a
2-CD set? It certainly isn't an everyday matter. That's for sure. However, Baby Cham is the kind of performer who can make it work, and in fact, he is making it work. Widely regarded as one of Jamaica's hottest items, Baby Cham is one of the few dancehall artists who has given a record label enough confidence to take such a step. The 23 year-old performer is emerging as one of the more celebrated deejays these days, and there's a reason. Five years ago he started out cutting his first release, "Shoot Out." Actually, it wasn't a hit, but the flip side of the coin found Baby Chamteamed up with Spragga Benz a year later. They recorded "No Coco Mania" for Donovan Germain's Penthouse label with rising popularity in Barbados. However, it was later in 1995 when the Jamaican public noticed Baby Cham's
work in "The Mass." It served as the forefront for a
successful relationship between Baby Cham and
producer, Dave Kelly. The Madhouse crew cooked up a winning formula and the hits kept rolling. The dancehall listening world is rapidly standing up and taking notice. With tunes like "Gallong Yah Gal," "Funny Man," "Many Many" and "Que Serra (Bumper Cart)," even an old-time critic like me dances my way into the new year with style! Add to that the identifiable,"Ghetto Pledge" as Baby Cham delivers over the "bug" riddim, and you, |
too will agree that this performer has established himself as a "hit man" in the dancehall business. The riddims in this compilation incorporate familiar beats of R&B and its various offspring, while guest appearances by Foxy Brown, Shaggy & Hope add pop influences to "WOW. . . THE STORY." The pairing of Baby Cham with Bounty Killer on "Another Level" seemingly signals the arrival of a new dancehall hybrid. Now, we can go on and on about this artist and his LP debut, but you'll need to take a
BEENIE BABY
step and check it out for yourself. When you hear the riddims on this CD duo . . . well, you'll know . . .
Without a doubt, some of us must have that special something. It isn't good enough just to have an LP entitled "The Best of Beenie Man." If you're like me . . . it's the "special edition" or nothing at all! Obviously, VP Records has tuned in to nuts like us and released such a hard hitting item. "BEST OF BEENIE MAN COLLECTOR'S
EDITION" has probably been a highly-preferred stocking stuffer or just the perfect gift for the hardcore dancehall reggae fan last month! Just think! Forty Beenie Man tunes in a two CD set. You'll remember the radio hits like "Girls Dem Sugar," "Romie" and "Who Am I?" Such hits have reinforced Beenie Man's reputation with the American crossover listeners. And check this out! Chevelle Franklyn is featured in "Dancehall Queen!" Chevelle . . . where have you been, Darling? Listen! For any of you who have not spent time with this angel, you'll probably not miss that alluring smile, sweet voice and wonderful personality. Wow! Chevelle Franklyn . . . this is for you . . . MUAH! Barrington Levy is featured in "Murderer" . . . Lady Saw in "Healing" and Luciano in "Crazy Baldhead." There's more. Included in this deluxe package are rare and never before seen photos of Beenie Man and an essay written by well-known, reggae writer Patricia Meschino. Another name many of us recognize. What a day! This is unquestionably the way to go, reggae fans!
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