Sean Paul lights it up

It’s time to feel irie, mon.  Dutty Rock, the explosive Atlantic Records release from the newest prince of dancehall, Sean Paul, is grabbing the ears and hips of all in listening distance.  
Sean Paul’s entrance on American turntables is easily reminiscent of such artists as Shabba Ranks, Beanie Man, Patra and Shaggy.  The young man with the cornrows and bedroom eyes is a hit from coast to coast.  However, the light that he coaxes everyone to give him didn’t get its fuse overnight.
Sean Paul Henriques first hit the Jamaican music scene in 1997. The then 22-year-old was making his first waves in the vast ocean of melodies and lyrics.  “Infilirarte”, a single full of promise, was touched by million of deejays after the Beenie Man hit “Sim Simma.”  After that, two years later, Sean dropped Stage One and quickly became a Jamaican underground hit.
Now, in the year 2G+2, Sean Paul’s musical presence is one that can easily be recognized as one laced with reggae and hip-hop.  In a press release of Dutty Rock, the seductive artist states, “I see dancehall reggae and hip-hop as fused together.” 
I couldn’t have said it better.  “Gimmee The Light” (both the original and the remix featuring Busta Rhymes) blazed airwaves and in the clubs from day one.  It has the “hardest” of them all out on the dance floors swiveling their hips.
Let me warn you now, it’s only the beginning.  There were few times while listening to this CD that I had to press the fast forward button.  Dutty Rock is full of guest appearances by some of today’s hottest artists and producers, including the Midases of Music, The Neptunes.  “Bubble,” the single produced by the golden boys, features Fahrenheit.
Tracks such as “Shout (Street Respect)” and “Concrete” will have you digging into the closet of the ‘90’s to flex your “butterfly skills”.  Never once leaving his roots behind, several songs have the feel of dancehall artists of the past including the late great Bob Marley.
Versatile and always keeping the hip hop reggae flow, Dutty Rock’s hot rhythms and beats are sure to warm up you and yours this winter season.