Search - Assassin :: Infiltration

Wicked Wicked Debut!

Achis | Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM | 09/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Now it wasn't that long ago when 2 big young artists buss on the scene and the dancehall world was wondering who exactly would be the one to take the music to the next level after the (seemingly) inevitable passing of the guard from such legends as Beenie Man and Bounty Killa.



One of those young artists was a rather odd looking lyrics machine named Vybz Kartel who garnered mass attention based on his supernatural martian styled flow and off the mic controversies. The other was a tall gangly looking kid named who had become a legend in JA highschools for his penchant for drumming up lyrics off the top of his head for just about anything named Assassin.



While we got Kartel's debut about 2 years ago, we now see that the early lead which he enjoyed between the two has shrunk to absolutely nothing.



Assassin's real strength is his versatility and Infiltration does nothing if not showing the absolute dexterity which the young artist enjoys which will be an infinite advantage over most of his younger and older peers (Kartel included). It features his most recent hits from the dance, including Step Pon Dem, Idiot Thing, Girls Gone Wild and the flat out awesome As a Man all of which are straight hammers in the dance, it also boasts newer songs such as We Dem Want (which is one of my favorite), Gangsta City over superproducer Lenky's newest riddim (he was so impressed by the tune obviously that he dubbed the riddim the Gangsta City and a fine tune in Dem.



The real story on Infiltration is, however, is the attention of the artist to developing his more rootical side. He tips his hand of what is to come on track 7, Free At Last, which plays out wonderfully! The closer of the album, Respect Due is nearly the best of them all, as the very young Assassin calls out the forefathers of reggae music from Yellowman to Uroy and from Black Uhuru to the Heptones. The album also features a wonderful and unlikely combination of Assassin with dancehall legend Freddie McGregor on which the young artist more than holds his own. The best tune of them all however, is Wandering Mind on which Assassin tackles some of the hardest flows he's ever displayed on current events and just waxes poetically throughout the tune, it is truly one of the best tunes I've EVER heard, Wandering Mind is huge!



Overall, although if I remember correctly, I rated Kartel's debut higher (largely due to the anticipation of it) Infiltration is exactly that. Its an infiltration of the highest order and you aren't left unsatisfied at all. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see 'Sassin go completely Rasta and roots in the future (much like his mentor Spragga Benz), he definitely has the overall ability to, and he definitely has the overall ability to manage to get me to more than advise you to buy his debut album, I'll be waiting on the followup!"

Assassin is Inflitrating....

RudeGal | Los Angeles, CA | 09/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first thing with Assassin to acknowledge is that the man is definitely one of Jamaica's swiftly rising top Dancehall Reggae deejays!!!! During the last year he's amassed a number of chart topping tunes. This talented artist is clever lyrically (ranking right up there with Buju Banton and Spragga Benz!!!!!), has a crisp clean delivery every time and challenges you to think as he rides smoothly over pulsating Dancehall beats. Some of the highlights of the album kick off with AS A MAN produced by the extremely exceptional famous production duo Steely & Clevie for their Sleepy Dog riddim, there's the popular release IDIOT THING as well as DON'T LIKE YOU on the Snowcone produced Applause riddim - a realistic portrayal of the cattiness that can be attributed to some women. Of course there's the tremendously popular GIRLS GONE WILD that kicked up a big buzz for Assassin in Jamaica. STEP PON DEM from producer Christopher Birch's MILITARY riddim is another big tune! The collaboration with R&B singer Syleena Johnson, LET ME KNOW, is a smooth interaction between the two demonstrating some of Assassin's diversity. Assassin also teamed up with veteran Freddie McGregor for a very delightful combination with YOUTHS WELL COLD. Then of course, there's the RED SQUARE crew with Spragga Benz, Briggy, Gregory Hines and others are here on the gyal tune BIG MIX. Two of my personal favorites and EXCLUSIVE tracks for this album include WANDERING MINDS produced by Bay-C of the super phenomenal Dancehall quartet TOK. WANDERING MINDS is one of those superbly delivered powerful thought provoking tunes; right up there like Kayne West's JESUS WALKS. These two talents together are a crazy combination as artist and producer. (Watch out BAY-C as a producer is gonna make a huge impact the next few years!) The final cut on this album; RESPECT DUE is a humble and truthful tribute to those artists who've laid the foundation, closing off the album showing yet again ASSASSIN's diversity in format, intelligence in lyrics and the mental orientation which is going to propel him to high levels throughout his career - putting him in position for crossover success!



(...)"

Outsanding!!!!! This Is What I Call A Dream Debut!!!

Michael Balfour | Hartford, CT USA | 10/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally! Assassin's album is out and it is really infiltrating! Everything is solid about the album: The presentation of the cover; the tracks; the production; the ... whole album!! I strive to write lyrics the way Assassin does it - Sharp, witty, sensible, funny when necessary! All the tracks are incredible. I also like the fact that Assassin kept his lyrics clean: there are no expletives on the album. As an educated Jamaican, I must say I really respect that. Assassin's debut album, Infiltration, represents the direction reggae should be headed: subject matters that matter, lyrics that make sense, and no foul language. All the tracks are immaculate; my favorites include:

*As A Man - big hit; the simplicity of the beat combined with the smooth flow makes this song awesome

*Idiot Thing - another big hit

*Don't Like You

*In Da Club - This shows just how versatile Assassin is! The lyrics are very witty and will guarantee a bunch of laughter!

*I'm A Hustla - Another big tune! Sharp, witty lyrics and a crazy beat makes this song a listening delight.

*We Dem Want - (One of my favorites) - Love the beat

*Free At Last - Very deep. You'll pull this one up a number of times! Listen to the lyrics and you'll definitely see a conscious side to Assassin. I feel proud when I listen to this song.

*Let Me Know - This is a magnificient combination with Syleena Johnson and one of my favorites. A possible mainstream hit!

*Girls Gone Wild - brilliant, big hit!

*Gangsta City - Sharp, witty lyrics proves that Assassin is one of Jamaica's best artiste. Also one of my favorites!

*Hot - The rhythm is superb

*Wandering Minds - Another conscious tune. This one is produced by TOK's member Roshaun "Bay C" Clarke (Nuff big up to Bay C & TOK); this song has a great message.

*Big Mix - this is one of my favorite songs on the album; it showcases the many talents of the Red Square group. This track will also bring a laughter or two to the listner - guaranteed!

*Respect Due - This is also one of my favorite songs on the album. The beat is incredible.



I highly recommend this album. This is what reggae should sound like."