Artiste: Various

Album: Suicide

Genre: Mixed

Rating: 3 ^1/2 out of 5

A solely rhythm-driven album, Suicide is a case of the undefined. Named after the rhythm, Suicide presents a paradox of genres blending together. Opening to heavy drum beats, the rhythm is a bit dancehall, hip hop, '80s rock, with a strong organ presence that is reminiscent of classical music or opera.

A collection of artistes, including T.O.K., Zumjay, Tanto Metro and Devonte, ride the rhythm with ease. T.O.K.'s opening Freaked Out reminds one of an old dancehall track which combines the usual deejaying style with a little singjay. Another standout is Zumjay's Tell Me and Mega Banton's Crying Time.

Varied subject matter

What is also interesting about the album is the varied subject matter. Almost every song tackles a different issues, whether it is to give praises, or talking about life on the streets for the thugs or, like Tanto Metro and Devonte, talking about making a girl theirs. This Stick (Funk You) shows a bad break-up from a male perspective in a somewhat rap style. The last track on the album is the raw rhythm itself. What might have been interesting is to see a very cultural-minded song on the CD.

Although one might think its boring to hear the same rhythm over and over, compared to other such CDs, each song has a slightly different style, whether it's straight deejaying, singing or a mixture of both. The rhythm itself is outstanding; it grabs your attention and is more imaginative than the regular dancehall rhythms being produced now. How well received it might be in a country which appreciates the traditional dancehall is yet to be seen.

- K.H.

Track Listing

1) Freaked Out (T.O.K.)

2) Vex and Buss (Delly Ranx)

3) Tell Me (Zumjay)

4) Crying Time (Mega Banton/Patchy)

5) Why (Kiprich)

6) Giving Praises (Beeno Ranks)

7) Thug Life (Mr. Lex)

8) Certain Gal (Showki Ru)

9) Ready For Love (Tanto Metro and Devonte)

10) This Stick (Funk You) (Benzly Hype)

11) Suicide