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Well, finally, Mr. Boombastic has returned to top form. After a couple
records of the finest sort of R&B/pop smoothness, Shaggy
has re-discovered the badness of his own true calling… First-rate
dub music with a message, scattered with a generous helping of catchy
party-loving dancehall numbers. Clothes Drop is a long record,
seventeen tracks that cover a ton of ground, both musically and lyrically.
The best thing I have to report about this record is that each and
every track is pure, 100% quality music - no filler or down moments.
The album begins with "Clothes Drop", a very catchy modern
reggae tune with steel drums and breathy background vocals. Anyone
who would call into doubt Shaggy's street cred need only listen to
"Ready Fi Di Ride" to get an earful of his keen ability
to make hip hop that outshines and out-attitudes just about all other
modern rap music. "Supa Hypnotic" is the instantly catchiest
of these tunes, and one that seems eerily familiar upon first hearing
- the one lapse on the record that draws from the R&B stylings
that have premeated Shaggy's last couple of releases. The song is
loose dub beauty filled with tons of words squeezed into a highly
melodic trip with fantastic instrumentation and background vocals;
and I'm pretty sure it would be most excellent for shaking one's booty
to. Shaggy hits a musical yet preachy stride on "Repent",
a track that points fingers in all political directions and pushes
for humanity for all people.
Clothes Drop is a fine way to end up 2005… Go out on
a high note with some of the best reggae/dancehall/dub/hip hop/urban
music that was released this year. You'll find your ass shaking, your
mind thinking, and your ears rejoicing in the sounds that are the
finest Shaggy release in years. Peace.
-L. Keane
Track Listing:
1. Clothes Drop
2. Ready Fi Di Ride
3. Broadway
4. Wild 2Nite
5. Back In The Days
6. Supa Hypnotic
7. Would You Be
8. Stand Up
9. Repent
10. Luv Me Up
11. Ahead In Life
12. Ultimatum
13. Shut Up And Dance
14. Don't Ask Her That
15. Road Block
16. Gone With Angels
17. Letter To My Kids
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