Beenie Man: Blessed - 1995

This was a fine, typically mid-nineties dancehall album in the Bounty Killer (his big rival), Buju Banton and Capleton style which sees Beenie Man rapping out semi-spoken fast-paced lyrics on a variety of vaguely militant subjects. 

As with the afore-mentioned artists and to an even greater extent, Shaggy, I find I can take two or three tracks as part of a random compilation but not necessarily a whole album of it. It has a vitality and urgency to it, however, and a good sound quality. The basslines are, as on so many similar albums, the best thing about it as they rumble deeply out of your speakers. 

It is a funny to thing to think, when listening to this, just how much reggae changed over the years - from ska to rock steady to skinhead and boss reggae to roots to dub to DJ to lovers rock to dancehall to digital to ragga and to modern roots....No other distinct genre can have so many sub-genres, yet still so many people say all reggae sounds the same! 

Anyway, back to Beenie Man and the stand out tracks on here are the lively and irrepressible Acid Attack, Blessed, Freedom, the dancehall hit Slam and the groovy vibe of World Dance. Tear Off Mi Garment is a vibrant one too with an excellent gruff vocal.

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